Rome, Italy, October 28, 2009 – World champions Brazil will take on Spain, Cuba and Tunisia and three-time champions and hosts Italy will play Japan, Egypt and Iran in the opening round of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships Italia 2010 following the Drawing of Lots which was held in the Petrassi Hall of the Auditorium Parco della Musica on Wednesday.
A total of 24 countries were drawn across six pools for the first round of the 17th edition of the FIVB Men’s World Championships, which will be held across 10 Italian cities (Milan, Ancona, Catania, Florence, Modena, Reggio Calabria, Turin, Trieste, Verona and Rome) from September 25-October 10, 2010.
Pools for the 2010 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships
Pool A - Italy, Japan, Egypt, Iran
Pool B - Brazil, Spain, Cuba, Tunisia
Pool C - Russia, Puerto Rico, Australia, Cameroon
Pool D - United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico
Pool E - Bulgaria, China, France, Czech Republic
Pool F - Serbia, Poland, Germany, Canada
A great evening of entertainment, which was broadcast live on RaiSport Più, involved many major figures in the world of Volleyball including the President of the FIVB Sports Events Council and FIVB 2nd Executive Vice-President Mr. Theofanis Tsiokris, FIVB 1st Executive Vice-President Mr. Cristobal Marte Hoffiz (NORCECA Confederation President), FIVB Executive Vice-President and Treasurer Mr. André Meyer (Europe Confederation President) and FIVB Executive Vice-President Dr. Amr M. Elwani (Africa Confederation President). Members of the Italian FIVB Men’s World Championship winning team of 1990, 1994 and 1998 were also in attendance including FIVB Volleyball Player of the Century Lorenzo Bernardi, Ferdinando De Giorgi, Pasquale Gravina, Paolo Tofoli and Andrea Zorzi.
“Tonight is a memorable night and an evening which has launched the countdown to the opening of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships 2010,” Mr. Tsiokris said. “Over 20 countries fought incredibly hard to reach this point after an enthralling qualifying process now, following tonight’s draw we look ahead with great anticipation to Italia 2010. We – the FIVB and the Organizing Committee - will work hard to ensure that the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships 2010 is a true sports festival.”
“Having welcomed so many distinguished guests for this very important event I’m extremely proud of how Rome has given us a glimpse of what is in store for the 2010 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships,” President of the Organizing Committee Mr. Carlo Salvatori said. “The composition of pools is exciting and has provided us with an excellent platform to bring the best of international Volleyball to fans, not only in Italy, but around the world also for what will be a great celebration.”
“A great night and wonderful to be a part of,” Bernardi said. “The FIVB World Championships are a unique experience which brings out the best in everyone who participates so I’m looking forward to a great spectacle next year.”
A record-breaking number of nations (112) participated in the year-long qualifying process before 22 countries joined hosts Italy and defending champions Brazil in the final round. The host nation Italy and the first 11 teams in the world ranking will be automatically placed according to the serpentine system with the following 12 teams drawn into pools.
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