The first-ever SWATCH-FIVB World Tour women's stop in Poland

WARSAW 2006 - A city taking full advantage of the tremendous and unique opportunities arising from the emergence of the free market and the development of democracy, Warsaw stages the eastern European country’s first women’s international Beach Volleyball event featuring the top players in the world.  One of the fastest growing cities in Europe, Poland's capital has seen the value of the city’s development projects surpass US$5-billion.  Warsaw, a city with a population of nearly two-million, is the country's largest university and research centre with an enormous and highly skilled workforce.  Warsaw’s history and climate impress the visitors, while its uniqueness interests them.  In Warsaw, influences of Western and Eastern Europe culture cross.  Historic buildings, palaces, churches and architectural complexes, destroyed during the War, have been reconstructed with great care.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) appreciated Warsaw Monuments and its relics, and honored the City by putting the Historic Centre of Warsaw on the World Heritage List.  Located on the Vistula River and roughly 350 km from both the Baltic Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains, Warsaw is home to over 30 theatres, including the National Theatre and Opera and the National Philharmonic Orchestra.  Warsaw was founded in ninth century.  It has been said that Warsaw, together with Frankfurt, London and Paris, is one of the tallest cities in Europe.  Warsaw is also the home of 11 of the tallest skyscrapers in Poland, including nine that are office buildings.  The centrally located tallest structure, the Palace of Culture and Science, is the fourth tallest building in the European Union.

MYSLOWICE, POLAND HOSTS SWATCH-FIVB U21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - The sixth SWATCH-FIVB World Championships for men’s and women’s players under the age of 21 will be held August 23-27 in Myslowice, Poland.  A main draw will determine the 24 teams that will be spread across six pools to battle it out for the title in a pool-play competition format.  “There has always been considerable interest for the SWATCH-FIVB World Championships Under 21,” said FIVB President Dr. Rubén Acosta, “since it is the tournament that produces the stars of tomorrow and helps to maintain the dynamic young image that Beach Volleyball enjoys.”  Located in the Upper Silesia region of Poland, Myslowice was a crossroads in the era of the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires.    Myslowice has a population of around 75,000, is home to various international companies and has excellent international transport connections by road, rail and air.

Poland's Katarzyna Urban (left) and Joanna Wiatr, 2004 SWATCH-FIVB U18 World Champions