After 16 years, the Dutch qualified for a berth at a FIVB World Championship. That would not be at all noteworthy for most lower tier teams, which rarely make the competition anyway. However, the figure turns heads when you consider that The Netherlands is a former volleyball powerhouse that has an Olympic gold medal to its name (1996). With that in mind, it’s safe to say that the Dutch players are eager to get back into winning ways. It’s WCH path started with a roadblock though, as outside hitter Robbert Andringa was ruled out of the competition with an injury suffered to his foot during training, according to his team’s, Poland’s AZS Olsztyn, official website. Although the full extension of the injury is not yet known, as official exams are still pending, doctors suspect a metatarsal injury.
Here is how Andringa reacted:
“I am sad that I was injured at this moment. But that is already a fact and I can not change it. Therefore, looking into the past does not make many sense. I am thinking now only about what will be in front of me – when I regain 100% fitness and be able to return to training.”
Andringa has been a member of the Dutch National Team since 2010, including a gold medal in 2012 in the European League. The Dutch will debut at this year’s WCH against Canada on September 12. It will then go on to face Brazil, China, Egypt, and France on Pool B. The team is currently getting ready for the competition by playing 3 friendlies against pool rivals Brazil.
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