Lausanne, March 1, 2008 – Nine Men’s Volleyball national teams have a date with destiny in Tokyo on Monday as they find out their third and final step in the Olympic qualification process.

Algeria, Argentina, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Indonesia, Italy, Poland, Puerto Rico and Spain representatives will draw lots at the Keio Plaza Hotel on March 3 starting at 3 p.m. local time to decide entry to one of the three FIVB Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournaments.

The tournaments will be played in Düsseldorf, Germany, Espinho, Portugal, and Tokyo in late May and decide the final four places up for grabs in the Beijing Olympics Men’s Volleyball tournament.

In addition to the three organizing countries and four Asian teams taking part in Japan (the tournament in Tokyo is also the Asian Olympic Qualifier), the participation of the nine teams was ensured as per the World Ranking and the relative continental rule:

3 CEV: Poland, Spain, Italy
2 NORCECA: Puerto Rico, Cuba
2 AVC: Indonesia, Chinese Taipei
1 CSV: Argentina
1 CAVB: Algeria

• May 23-25, Düsseldorf, Germany
4 teams: Germany + 3 teams decided by drawing of lots
• May 30 - June 1, Espinho, Portugal
4 teams: Portugal + 3 teams decided by drawing of lots
• May 31 - June 8, Tokyo, Japan
8 teams: Japan + 4 Asian teams best ranked in the Asian Continental Championship (Australia, Korea, Iran, Thailand) + 3 teams decided by drawing of lots.

The winner of each tournament will qualify for Beijing. In Japan, the winner plus the best Asian team (even if the winner is Asian) will qualify for Beijing.

Olympic Games 2008 Men’s Volleyball
1. China (host country)
2. Brazil (1. World Cup)
3. Russia (2. World Cup)
4. Bulgaria (3. World Cup)
5. Egypt (African Qualification Tournament)
6. (Asian Qualification Tournament) *
7. Serbia (European Qualification Tournament)
8. USA (Norceca Qualification Tournament)
9. Venezuela (South American Qualification Tournament)
10. (World Olympic Qualification Tournament - Germany)
11. (World Olympic Qualification Tournament - Japan)
12. (World Olympic Qualification Tournament - Portugal)
* The Asian Continental Qualification Tournaments are played combined with the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan