THE Guernsey volleyball teams know that they are in for a tough time next week.

The women’s squad are aiming for the semi-finals. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0792006)

The sport is always strong at the Island Games due to the number of the Scandinavian islands taking part.

‘It is extremely strong,’ said Guernsey’s men’s team player-coach Ben Hill.

‘It’s one of those things. It’s the national sport for the Scandinavian countries and a number of them play from a young age like we do with football.’

The island’s men’s side had a torrid time at the last Games in Rhodes two years ago.

They failed to win any of their group games against the hosts, Gotland and Bermuda.

They then lost to Jersey and Gibraltar in their nine to 11 place play-off matches to ensure that they finished rock bottom.

‘We struggled in Rhodes,’ said Hill.

‘We had key positions missing which affected the balance of the team.

‘We have made sure that those positions are covered this year with Mike Amstad and Ross Martel-Welsh starting in the outside positions.

‘We didn’t have natural out side hitters in Rhodes. It’s a lot more balanced.

‘We’ve got some good individuals and some good team spirit.’

Hill has named an experienced squad.

The 27-year-old setter has himself been to five Island Games along with Swiss national Amstad and Martin Baker has taken part in seven.

All the squad have been to the Games before, apart from debutant Emmanuel Dhenhere.

The 31-year-old Zimbabwean has been in the island for 18 months and has made an impression on the volleyball court. ‘He’s a very good player,’ said Hill. ‘He’s a very good jumper and he’s strong through the middle.’

Hill and his squad do have a testing group to contend with.

Their first match is on Sunday morning with 2007 silver medallists, Faroe Islands.

Their second game is later that day with Cayman Islands.

They then take on Aland on Tuesday followed by Gotland on Wednesday.

Reigning champions Saaremaa are in the other group with Bermuda, Gibraltar, Greenland and Jersey.

‘We’ve certainly got the harder group but we’re planning to try and win as many games as possible to get off to a good start and see where we can go from there,’ said Hill.

‘We’ve got to do better than last time and create a few surprises.’

The island’s women’s side fared better than their male counterparts in Rhodes.

After losing all their group stage matches with Menorca, Bermuda and Aland, they went on to get the better of Hitra and then Gibraltar in the ninth to 12th-place play-offs.

But like the men, they have got a tough opening match when they take on reigning gold medallists Saaremaa at 8.15pm on Sunday.

‘Saaremaa could be tough, but apparently they’ve got a lot of new youngsters. It will be interesting,’ said the women’s captain Julie Elmy.

They then meet Aland, Bermuda, Rhodes and Hitra.

Like the men’s side, the Greens do boast a lot of experience with all but three of the 12-strong squad over 30 years old.

The only player they are taking who has no Island Games experience is 17-year-old Jennifer Lindfield.

‘She’s progressing very well.

‘It will be a good competition for her,’ said Elmy.

The Sarnians are certainly hoping to pick up some results in Aland.

‘We’re looking to place in the rounds,’ said Elmy.

‘We are hopeful that we can get to the semis. We’re going to have to play out of our skins to get there, but it can be done.

‘The competition will be tough, but if we gel as a team, we’ll be as good as the others.’

The men's squad

Guernsey Men:
Ross Martel-Welsh, Ben Hill, Troy Bodie, Steve Adam, Martin Baker, Ryan Martel, Michael Amstad, Emmanuel Dhenhere.

Schedule

Sunday 28 June
11am (EEST) v. Faroe Islands
8.15pm v. Cayman Islands
Tuesday 30 June
3.30pm v. Aland
Wednesday 1 July
11am v. Gotland
Thursday 2 July
Play-offs and semi finals
Friday 3 July
Final

Guerney Women:
Julie Elmy, Jennifer Lindfield, Jo Turville, Carla Martel, Kat Gillespie, Karen Archenoul, Karen Jehan, Sandy Ozanne, Ann Saunders, Rachel Gosling, Sarah Biggins, Julia Webber.

Schedule

Sunday 28 June
8.15pm v. Saaremaa
Monday 29 June
8.15pm v. Aland
Tuesday 30 June
11am v. Bermuda
Thursday 2 July
1.15pm v. Hitra
Friday 3 July
Playoffs and semi-finals
Saturday 4 July
Final

Medal hopes: Both teams will find it tough. The men will do well to pick up a victory whereas the women should be aiming for one of the higher play-off spots.