Aly wrote a great analysis of each of the 24 teams that qualified for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Tournament. I’d like to supplement that analysis with an explanation of the format and the current standings. The beIN Sports network is televising most of the World Championship action.
From the 148 teams that initially participated in the zonal qualification process, 24 teams are now competing for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship title from August 30 through September 21, 2014. A total of 103 matches will be played over the 18 day tournament in seven different cities in Poland.
The Men’s World Championship tournament consists of 24 teams – three teams from South America, four from Asia, nine (including the host) from Europe, three from Africa and five from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The 24 teams will be divided into four pools (A, B, C, & D) of six teams playing in a round-robin system with the top four teams advancing to a second round of preliminary matches featuring two pools (E & F) of eight teams.
The top three teams from pools E and F will qualify for the third round, where the six remaining teams will be split into two pools (G & H). The top two teams from pools G and H will then advance to the semifinals and finals with the third place teams from pools G and H playing off for fifth place.
The Qualifiers
- Asia & Oceania (4) – Iran, Australia, Korea, China
- Africa (3) – Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia,
- Europe (8) – Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia, Germany, Belgium, Finland, France
- South America (3) – Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela
- North & Central America & Caribbean (5) – USA, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico
- Host Nation (1) – Poland
| POOL A – as of 9//4/2014 | ||
| COUNTRY | RECORD | POINTS |
| Poland | 3 – 0 | 9 |
| Australia | 2 – 1 | 6 |
| Serbia | 2 – 1 | 6 |
| Australia | 1 – 2 | 3 |
| Venezuela | 1 – 2 | 3 |
| Cameroon | 0 – 3 | 0 |
| POOL B – as of 9//4/2014 | ||
| COUNTRY | RECORD | POINTS |
| Brazil | 2 – 0 | 6 |
| Finland | 2 – 0 | 5 |
| Germany | 1 – 1 | 3 |
| Korea | 1 – 1 | 3 |
| Cuba | 0 – 2 | 1 |
| Tunisia | 0 – 2 | 0 |
| POOL C – as of 9//4/2014 | ||
| COUNTRY | RECORD | POINTS |
| Russia | 2 – 0 | 6 |
| China | 2 – 0 | 6 |
| Bulgaria | 1 – 1 | 4 |
| Canada | 1 – 1 | 2 |
| Egypt | 0 – 0 | 0 |
| Mexico | 0 – 0 | 0 |
| POOL D – as of 9//4/2014 | ||
| COUNTRY | RECORD | POINTS |
| France | 2 – 1 | 7 |
| USA | 2 – 1 | 6 |
| Italy | 2 – 1 | 5 |
| Iran | 2 – 1 | 5 |
| Belgium | 1 – 2 | 4 |
| Puerto Rico | 0 – 3 | 0 |
Remember, beIN Sports is televising many, if not all, of these excellent matches. Please try to watch a few – or a lot, whatever your preference. Let’s Grow the Game!
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