Italian coach Luciano Pedulla, 57, signed his contract with the German Volleyball Federation DVV and will take over the women`s team on May 18. That is when he will start preparations for the Baku 2015 European Games.

"The top goal for the year is to qualify for the Olympics. Otherwise we want to perform as well as possible at our tournaments,” Mr. Pedulla told the DVV website.

"We want to reach the semi-finals in Baku, which will not be easy with the group draw,” Mr. Pedulla said of the draw with Russia, Serbia, Netherlands, Croatia and Bulgaria in the group.

According to Mr. Pedulla, the Baku 2015 will be good for his German players regardless of the final results: "It is important for us to play against the best players and best teams in the world. That`s the best way to develop.”

Speaking on the state of the German team, the coach underlined: "I take over a team that worked very hard and took a lot of steps forward. We can be one of the best teams in Europe.”

"Germany has good chances to take part in the Olympics in Rio. I know the German players work very hard with a lot of discipline. I like that. I don`t mind being in the gym a long time,” he added.