Team Canada’s performance in opening weekend of 2012 World League surprised some volleyball fans and the foreign media. For those acquainted with Glenn Hoag’s work, it was no surprise. Hoag, a former member of Canada’s National Team (1981-86), has been the head coach since 2006 and has proved his talent not only building confidence among the Canadian players, but internationally as well. He has coached some European clubs such as ACH Volley Bled (Slovenia) and Arkas Izmir (Turkey), two mid-level teams that have reached Champions League (the main European club tournament) finals under his command surpassing some high-budget squads.

A week before the beginning of the WL, Canada had dispatched world number-five Cuba in straight sets at the Olympic qualifier in Long Beach, California. Later, in Toronto, at the WL, Team Canada beat Finland 3-0 and next, playing for a national TV audience, they defeated world number-one Brazil in a five-setter. In the last day of the first WL stop, Canada lost to Poland 1-3, but there was no doubt the team could face any opponent with chances to win.

Coach Glenn Hoag talked to Kill on Two about his impressions on Team Canada’s game after the beginning of the World League. This coming weekend Canada plays in Katowice, Poland.

Glenn Hoag has been training Canada’s National Team since 2006 (Photo: Canadian Press)

Kill on Two – How do you evaluate Canada's performance on the first WL weekend?

Glenn Hoag – We did okay performance wise, although I wasn't satisfied with certain aspects of our play. I always distinguish results from performance, so I can have an accurate view of what is needed to work on. Results were quite good, but many aspects of our game need improvement. 

KO2 – Do you believe playing well with national TV audience can help volleyball to grow in Canada?

GH – I hope so, I think the format was great, but we will see in the future what kind of impact it had. But I think the growth of volleyball in Canada is through individuals that work in schools and clubs with passion for our kids.

KO2 – Do you think the team got more attention and appreciation once people in Canada saw what the boys are capable of?

GH – Yes, I think we got especially from our funding bodies (Own the Podium, Sport Canada). I've been telling people that our growth was strong in the last six years and that we were doing well, but we needed to prove it. We still have a long way to go, however this is positive.

KO2 – What are the main adjustments Team Canada needs?

GH – We need to sustain our performances. The match against Poland revealed certain flaws in our capacity to manage moments. We will address that in training.

KO2 – Canada had some problems in execution, couldn't kill the ball against the Poles. What happened?

GH – Lack of patience and capacity to adjust to the opponents' tactics. We couldn't make tactical adjustments and we played a simple game opening the door to Poland. Very poor performance…

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour is back this week with a men's event in Prague, Czech Republic. There are four Canadian men's teams in Prague competing in this tournament. All four teams will enter the tournament in the qualification round.

Canadian Men's Teams in Prague

	Saxton-Redmann
	Hatch-Schachter
	Binstock-Reader
	Van Huizen-May

Live streams, matches and results after the jump.

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Here is the post game press conference between Poland and Canada at FIVB World League in Toronto. Poland defeated Canada 3-1 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto on Sunday May 20th, 2012.

Howatson sets Simac against the Poles. Team Canada ruled the first set, but was dominated in the following three (Photo: FIVB)

After two wins (against Finland and world number-one Brazil) Team Canada lost their first match in the 2012 World League.  They were stopped by the efficient block and defense of Poland. The Canadians had a good start winning the first set but the Poles made things harder from the second set as they adjusted their block and defense. Poland made a comeback to win 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-19) in just under two hours. It was a big party for the Polish crowd in house as those supporters were the majority of the 4,200 people on Sunday evening at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.

The Poles (ranked number four on FIVB rank) grabbed a bronze medal at 2011 World League and a silver at 2011 World Cup. Polish opposite Zbigniew Bartman was unstoppable hammering Canada’s defense. He scored 31 points (29 kills and two blocks). On Canada’s side, opposite Gavin Schmitt played in the first two sets and returned in the third just to serve. Schmitt was the main Canadian scorer with 13 points (10 kills and three blocks).

Canada’s head coach Glenn Hoag made some criticism after the defeat. “Poland gave us a volleyball lesson tonight. At times we looked like a junior team. It was a difficult match, we couldn’t execute. Every match from here on in will be a test for us and a learning process”, he remarked.

Captain Fred Winters, Canada’s most experienced left side, acknowledged the team’s problems at the game. “I thought we would be ready especially after a good first set, but in the last three sets we needed to do a better job. They had so many blocks we couldn’t score. We need to improve our hitting game”, Winters said.

Poland’s head coach Andrea Anastasi was happy as his team played their best match on the weekend. “I’m happy we came back to play a very good match. It wasn’t perfect, but our defence and block were good. This is always a hard tournament, you have to fight hard to get the win”.

Earlier on Sunday Brazil also made a comeback to beat Finland 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-22, 31-29). Team Brazil had lost their first two matches 2-3 to Poland and Canada. “All the teams fought hard and it made for some wonderful volleyball for the public. Our teamwork today was a little more consistent. We didn’t do as well as we wanted here but we are headed in the right direction” affirmed Brazil’s legendary head coach Bernardo Rezende. Brazil is vying for its tenth World League title.

Despite Sunday’s loss, it was a successful weekend for the Canadians and the entire tournament stop, informed Volleyball Canada. On Saturday in front of 8,100 fans and a national TV audience, Canada upset Brazil. Of the three venues that hosted Word League play this weekend (Florence, Italy and Hamamatsu, Japan were the others) Toronto had the largest crowds.

The 2012 World League has 16 teams split in four pools. Canada, Brazil, Finland, and Poland are in pool B. Their next stop is in two weeks in Katowice, Poland. This coming weekend pool D (Argentina, Bulgaria, Germany, and Portugal) will start in Frankfurt, Germany while others have a break.

Canadian players celebrate their victory over world number-one Brazil in front of 8,100 fans in Toronto (Photo: FIVB)

Do you know how it feels when your team beat the number one in the world? Canada men’s volleyball team does. This Saturday afternoon, playing before 8,100 people in the packed Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, they beat Brazil 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 24-26, 15-10) in the second day of 2012 World League. “In my nine years with the national team I had never beaten Brazil before. It was a great treat for the fans and TV audience and I’m glad they got to see the hard work the players and staff put into this”, celebrated left side Fred Winters, Team Canada’s captain. Opposite hitter Gavin Schmitt had a brilliant performance scoring the high mark of 33 points (29 kills and four blocks). Left side Gord Perrin, who joined the adult national team only two years ago, helped with 21 points (15 kills and impressive six blocks).

It was a historical day for Canadian volleyball. “I’m happy with the win, even more with the way the guys played. Brazil is a team that I study all the time and to beat them is really an honour. The World League is a big opportunity for us to play big matches and this experience will pay off”, said Canada’s head coach, Glenn Hoag. Ten days ago at the Norceca Olympic qualifier, Canada was responsible for the tournament’s major upset defeating Cuba (world number-four) in straight sets. Now, they beat Brazil in a five-setter that lasted two and a half hours, showing mental strength at crucial moments.

The Brazilian team travelled to Canada without three important players, Gilberto “Giba” Godoy Filho (left side), Murilo Endres (left side), and Leandro Vissotto (opposite). They are recovering from injuries and should join Team Brazil next week. The Brazilians lost 2-3 to Poland on Friday while Canada beat Finland 3-0. Later on Saturday the Finns beat Poland 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 15-9). This round-robin weekend will be wrapped up on Sunday as Brazil takes on Finland at 4:00 p.m. EST and Canada plays Poland at 8:00 p.m. EST.  The Canadian match will be broadcast live on TV on Rogers Sportsnet One. Poland is ranked fourth in the world. Team Canada is currently number 18 on FIVB rank, while the Finns are currently 27^th.

These four teams will meet again in two weeks in Katowice, Poland. The 2012 World League has 16 teams split in four pools.