Return of Floortje Meijners (NED)
#RoadtoTokyo
Floortje Meijners returned to the national team after an absence of 12 years. Meijners, currently playing for the Italian club Saugella Monza, played for top clubs in the Italian and Turkish competition over the past decade and has won many prizes.
Floortje returned with a real bang, serving the fastest serve at 105 kmph during day one of competition - a number yet to be bettered in the tournament.
For a variety of reasons, Floortje has not played for the Dutch team since they won the FIVB World Grand Prix back in 2007 - pictured here on the podium (Floortje is second from the right) - an incredible break of over 12 years.
On the court though you would not have noticed, slipping back in as Outside for the match against Azerbaijan and then Opposite for Bulgaria - where she took the MVP award.
"I am honored to come out for the national team again", Meijners responds from Monza. “For a long time I was unable to play for the national team due to personal reasons. I have always followed the national team from a distance and was happy to see the progress they made. I am therefore very proud to be part of this team again."
Meijners worked together with national coach Giovanni Caprara in the Italian league, but his appointment is not her only reason to make himself available again for the Orange. “Whoever the coach is, I'm happy to come out for the national team again. Gianni and I have worked together in the past and I have very good memories of that. I have a lot of respect for him and appreciate his way of working, this is an extra motivation for me.”
Floortje Meijners"It is wonderful to play in this gym in The Netherlands with all these people in Orange who give such a lot of support. I am so proud."
Speaking after the win over Bulgaria
Interview done by Nevobo