Italian fans look on as the host side clinched qualification on Sunday
Milan, Italy, September 27, 2010 – The 2010 FIVB Men's World Championship continues into its third day on Monday across Italy with nine spots still up for grabs in the second round of the tournament.
A total of 24 teams have been split into six groups in the first round of this 15-day competition where teams from each group play each other once with the top three teams in each group advancing. Hosts Italy, defending champions Brazil, Cuba, Russia, Puerto Rico, Argentina, USA, France and Poland all booked their spots in the next round on Sunday with their second win.
Pool A in Milan
Following the hosts success at qualifying for the next round all eyes will be
on Japan, Iran and Egypt as they compete for the remaining two spots.
Japan v Egypt 5pm
Japan will be fighting for their lives as they take on Egypt in Pool A’s first
match of the day. The side are dangerously close to be knocked of the
competition but will be familiar with Egypt after picking up a 3-1 win over
them in last year’s Grand Champions Cup.
Italy v Iran 9pm
Iran will be on a roll after picking up their first FIVB World Championships
preliminary round win over Japan on Sunday, and with Italy already qualified coach
Andrea Anastasi may experiment. However, Iran will be looking to pick up points
as the Asian side are on the brink of advancement.
Pool Ranking: Italy 4, Egypt 3, Iran 3, Japan 2
Pool B in Verona A battle
between Volleyball’s elite for bragging rights is on the cards for Pool B while
Spain and Tunisia prepare to battle for the remaining spot in round two.
Spain v Tunisia 5pm
Spain will be looking to recover after two straight losses to Brazil and Cuba,
as will Tunisia, and with a spot in the second round at stake the two sides are
likely to put on an emotional display
Cuba v Brazil 9pm
Two of the heavyweights in world Volleyball clash in what is likely to be a
sensational encounter in Pool B’s second match. The two sides met as recently
as July at the 2010 FIVB World League where Brazil came out on top 3-1 so
revenge will be on the minds Robertlandy Simon and co.
Pool Ranking: Brazil 4, Cuba 4, Spain 2, Tunisia 2
Pool C in Modena Russia will be looking to continue their march to
the latter rounds of the tournament and will tussle with Puerto Rico for top
spot in the pool as Cameroon and Australia meet for the first time in each others
history.
Australia v Cameroon 5pm
Both sides have a clean slate against each other sothis clash for a place in the next round is
likely to serve up a few surprises.
Puerto Rico v Russia 9pm
Russia head the pool on points difference but Puerto Rico will be looking to
down the 2010 FIVB World League runners-up. However history is on Russia’s side
as they won the last encounter between the two sides in straight-sets at the
2007 FIVB World Cup.
Pool Ranking: Russia 4, Puerto Rico 4, Australia 2,
Cameroon 2
Pool D in Reggio Calabria Mexico
and Venezuela are set to compete for Pool D’s final qualifying spot while
Argentina and USA meet for the first time since 2007 in FIVB competition.
Mexico v Venezuela 5pm
After Saturday’s promising performance Venezuela would have been disappointed with
their straight-sets loss to the USA. However they have a chance to make up for
it against Mexico who stand between the South Americans and a place in the
second round.
USA v Argentina 9pm
Both sides will be looking to use this match as practice for further down the
line after securing qualification on Sunday. However, despite a guaranteed spot
in round two, each side will want bragging rights over the pool so a fiery
affair is expected.
Pool Ranking: Argentina 4, USA 4, Mexico 2, Venezuela 2
Pool E in Turin Bulgaria will be furious with themselves for slipping
up against France on Sunday and need to recover against Czech Republic to
secure qualification while China need results to line up in their favour to
clinch a berth.
Bulgaria v Czech Republic 5pm
The Czech Republic will be looking to reverse the result from when these two
teams last met. That was earlier this year in the European Championship which
saw Bulgaria pick up the 3-1 win. But with a spot in the next round at stake
both sides will be fired up.
China v France 9pm
France will be happy with their performance on Sunday as they secured passage
to the second round. China however are on the cusp of crashing out of the
tournament at the first round for the second World Championship in a row and
will be desperate to progress.
Pool Ranking: France 4, Bulgaria 3, Czech Republic 3,
China 2
Pool F in Trieste More than 6,000 people packed into Palatrieste on Sunday
to see an exciting pair of Volleyball matches and with everything still to play
for in the pool more is expected on Monday.
Germany v Canada 5pm
After Canada’s sensational win over Serbia on Sunday Germany will be weary of
the North Americans. The two sides last met at a FIVB competition 18 years ago
in the 1992 World League where Germany prevailed 3-0.
Serbia v Poland 9pm
Serbia will be desperate to bounce back after losing to Canada on Sunday and
face Poland in an all-European match.
Pool Ranking: Poland 4, Serbia 3, Canada 3, Germany 2
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Cameroon
Cuba
Czech Republic
Egypt
Spain
France
Germany
Iran
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Poland
Puerto Rico
Russia
Serbia
Tunisia
USA
Venezuela
