Turin, Italy, September 29, 2008 – The drawing of lots for the 2010 FIVB Men’s and Women’s World Championships’ preliminary rounds took place in Turin, Italy, on Monday.

The teams which will participate in the first-, second- and third-round preliminary tournaments have now been allocated their groups for what is set to be the most successful World Championships in FIVB history, with a record 215 national teams registered to take part.

Mr. Theofanis Tsiokris, FIVB Second Executive Vice President, introduced the event that begins the long road to the final matches in Rome and Tokyo. “Today I am pleased to say that the eyes of the world rest on Turin as Volleyball fans from all four corners of the globe await the drawing of lots that will signal the start of the most successful World Championships in history,” said Tsiokris.

Mr. Carlo Salvatori, President of the 2010 Volleyball World Championship Italian Organising Committee, Mr. Carlo Magri, President of the Italian Volleyball Federation, Mr. Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, President of the NORCECA Volleyball Confederation, Mr. André Meyer, President of the European Volleyball Confederation, and a representative of the Mayor of Turin were also present at the drawing of lots.

The women’s first-round tournaments in Europe, NORCECA and Asia are scheduled to be played during the first two weeks of December and the month of January, with the men’s first round in these three continents scheduled for the same period.

As teams advance through the preliminary round tournaments, higher-seeded teams join in the qualification process at both the second- and third-round stage. The women’s second-round tournaments in all five continents will be held between May 15 and June 15, with the men’s held May 15-31.

The women’s third round will be through June 19 to July 19, before the annual FIVB World Grand Prix, while the men’s third round is set for August 14-30, after the annual FIVB World League.

In accordance with FIVB regulations, eight European, six NORCECA, four Asian, two South American and two African teams will advance to the women’s final round. For the men’s final round, eight European, five from NORCECA, four Asian, three African and two South American will advance.
 
The 2010 Men's World Championship Finals will be held in Italy from September 23 to October 10 and the Women's in Japan from October 29 to November 14. There will be 24 national teams in each of the Finals.