Press release

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 30, 2011 - The alignment of the future stars of men’s volleyball, an event that occurs every two years, will happen again over the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi when most of the sport’s top prospects compete at the FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship on August 1-10.

The 16th edition of the tournament for men under 21 years old, divides 16 squads from all over the planet into four pools.

All eyes are expected to be on the two-time defending champion and host Brazil as the home boys will try to win their third crown in a row; a rarity only accomplished by the former Soviet Union during the first three tournaments in 1977, ’81 and ’85 when it was a quadrennial competition.

Russia, indeed, has the distinction as the all-time gold medal winner with a total of seven (including four under the USSR flag). Brazil is next with four, followed by Poland with two and Korea and Bulgaria with one apiece.

Russia and Brazil, the only teams represented in all of the previous 15 events, top the list among the biggest medal winners; each has 12 of different colors. There are 10 participating countries still looking for their first podium position in the history of the event, inaugurated in Rio de Janeiro 34 years ago in 1977.

That list include three nations – India (ranked 7th), United States (9th) and Egypt (10th) – currently positioned among the top-10 junior and youth teams according to the latest rankings released by FIVB in May of 2011.

The previous edition of the tournament was held in 2009 in Pune, India, where Brazil edged Cuba in a five-set epic battle, 30-28, 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8 to take the title while Argentina made history by visiting the podium for the first time following a 25-19, 25-16, 25-22 victory over host India to collect the bronze.

The competition begins on August 1 with four pools of four teams playing a preliminary round-robin until August 3 in both Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. The top two teams in each pool advance to the medal competition bracket in Rio de Janeiro, while the other two compete in the classification matches scheduled for August 5-7 in Niteroi.

The second round will consist of four-team pools – two top and two bottom halves – playing another round-robin.

The semifinal round will be played on August 9, while the medals and final classification matches scheduled for August 10.

The matches scheduled in Rio de Janeiro will be staged at the legendary Maracanazinho Gymnasium built in 1954 with a capacity for 11,800 spectators. The facility, considered the Temple of Volleyball in Brazil, was completely refurbished for the Pan American Games held in 2007 and it will be the official site for the volleyball tournaments during the 2016 Olympic Games.

Appearances and Medals at FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship

Argentina: 11th appearance; bronze in 2009
Belgium: 2nd appearance; Best finish of 6th in 2009
Brazil: 16th appearance; gold in 1993, 2001, 2007 and 2009; silver in 1981, 1995, 1997, 2003 and 2005; bronze in 1977, 1989 and 1999; 12 total medals
Bulgaria: 8th appearance; gold in 1991; bronze in 2003; 2 total medals
Canada: 7th appearance; Best finish of 5th in 1999
Egypt: 8th appearance; Best finish of 9th in 2003
Germany: 7th appearance; Best finish of 4th in 1987
India: 6th appearance; Best finish of 4th in 2009
Iran: 8th appearance; bronze in 2007
Japan: 10th appearance; silver in 1989
Puerto Rico: 4th appearance; Best finish of 9th in 1997
Russia: 10th appearance (16th including participation under USSR flag); gold in 1977, 1981, 1985, 1989 (as USSR), 1995, 1999 and 2005; silver in 2001 and 2007; bronze in 1987, 1991 (as USSR), 1997. 12 total medals
Serbia: 1st appearance (2nd appearance including participation under Serbia & Montenegro flag); Best finish of 7th in 2005
Spain: 6th appearance; Best finish of 7th in 1995
Tunisia: 10th appearance; Best finish of 5th in 1993
United States: 6th appearance; Best finish of 7th in 1977, 1981, 2007