Serbia and Montenegro
Although anecdotes exist to indicate that Volleyball had already appeared in this Balkan country as early as 1918, there is documented proof that in 1924, Californian William Whiland officially introduced the game in 1924. More than two decades later, the Yugoslav Volleyball Federation, which has now become the Volleyball Federation of Serbia and Montenegro, was one of the 14 FIVB founding members. The national team has participated in international competitions since 1951, when on that occasion they finishing fifth at the European Championship.

In 1956 the Yugoslavs contested their first World Championship in France, placing tenth. Yugoslavia have qualified six times for World Championships, achieving their best result, the silver, in 1998 in Japan. Last year in Argentina they finished fourth after France deprived them of the bronze medal. But it is at the Olympic tournaments that Yugoslavia has really shown what they are capable of. They placed sixth in Moscow (1980), improving at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta to win the bronze, and finally, triumphing in Sydney 2000, the result of the team's hard work under the guidance of the tranquil-natured, but steady handed coach Zoran Gajic. It was Gajic who took the talented team and made them soar high into the ranks of the world elite and following one second place and four bronze medals at European championships, Gajic's squad claimed the European title in 2001 in the Czech Republic, which they will defend in Germany this year.

The Olympic champions stayed in the limelight last year reaching the World League finals and with Ivan Miljkovic and Andrija Geric shining bright they overwhelmed Italy in the match to determine the bronze medal for their first podium in this elite competition. 

Recent Results:

World League (May-July, 2003) finished second
Brazil beat Serbia & Montenegro 3-2 (16-25, 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 29-31)
Serbia & Montenegro beat Italy 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-16)
Serbia & Montenegro beat Greece 3-1 (26-24, 25-15, 15-25, 25-21)
Serbia & Montenegro beat Spain 3-1 (25-19.25-20, 20-25, 18-25)
Serbia & Montenegro beat Czech Republic 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 26-24)

Men’s Senior European Championships 2003 (September) finished fourth
Russia beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-1 (25-11, 24-26, 25-19, 25-23).
Poland beat Serbia & Montenegro 3-2
Serbia & Montenegro beat Greece 3-0
Serbia & Montenegro beat Russia 3-1 (25-21, 21-25, 25-23, 25-15)
Serbia & Montenegro beat Netherlands 3-1 (30-28, 21-25 25-22, 25-18)

Olympic Tournaments
Sydney 2000 - First
Atlanta 1996 - Third