FIVB World League Coming Soon
To The USA!
After the historic decision
by the Volleyball World League Council in 2005, prize money for the 2006
World League was set at a record $20 million and thus set an unprecedented
level for a global team sport event. $2 million of the $20 million total
will fund a special bonus pool in order to reward the participating National
Federations.
Equally unprecedented is the total of 16 countries (previously only 12 national
teams participated) that will be taking part in the event. The FIVB selected
from among 18 candidates the following 16 countries that were bidding for one
of the vacancies in this prestigious event: BRAZIL, CUBA, POLAND, SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
(the four 2005 World League finalists in Belgrade), RUSSIA and the UNITED STATES,
both coming back after several years of absence due to an internal reorganization,
FRANCE, ITALY, PORTUGAL, FINLAND and BULGARIA are the other European powers
in the League that will face JAPAN, KOREA and CHINA from Asia plus ARGENTINA
from South America and EGYPT – the first ever representative from Africa
in the competition.
The participation of Egypt makes the World League the first international
sport event to be played across all five continents. The tournament will see
a total of 96 matches, with four pools of four teams, each team playing the
other teams in the pool twice in home and away matches. The winners of each
pool will go through to join the host team and a wild card in the final round.
And finally, all U.S. home matches will be shown live in the United States on CSTV. The
cable network will also show the finals from Russia.
News
Brazil Wins Fourth Consecutive World League Final
(Aug. 27, 2006) -- Defending World League champions Brazil made
it four in a row today after a thrilling five-set victory over France.
In the bronze medal match, hosts Russia overcame the strong Bulgarian
team to take the medal to the delight of the home crowd. Topping the
individual awards was Brazil’s Giba as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
More
2006 Final Standings
France to Meet Brazil in World League Final
(Aug. 26, 2006) -- France will face Brazil in tomorrow’s final
after beating Bulgaria 3-0 in its first-ever World League semifinal.
Philippe Blain’s team made history by reaching a World League final for
the first time. Russia succumbed 3-1 to defending champion Brazil, who
will be gunning for its fourth consecutive World League final tomorrow.
More
France and Brazil Complete the Final Bracket
(Aug. 25, 2006) -- France will face undefeated Bulgaria in
tomorrow’s first semifinal, with the match between the hosts and the
defending champions the top billing for the day’s second semi.
Serbia and Montenegro leaves to prepare for the World Championships on a
high note after beating France in its final match, while wild card
Italy returns home winless after its three matches.
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Bulgaria and Russia Headed for World League Final Four
(Aug. 24, 2006) -- After the second day of pool play, host nation
Russia and Bulgaria have both secured their place in the final four after
two consecutive victories. Brazil recovered from yesterday’s shock defeat
to beat wild card Italy 3-1 and take the second spot in Pool F – the only
change in the overall standings after the second day’s action.
More
Bulgaria Upsets Undefeated Brazil
(Aug. 23, 2006) -- Brazil left the court beaten for the
first time in the 2006 World League competition. Bulgaria caught the
Canaries by surprise with a sensational victory in three straight sets.
In the day’s second encounter, previous Pool C rivals Italy and France
met for the fifth time in the competition and played their fourth five-set
match, with France edging ahead in the fourth set and the subsequent tie-break.
In the day’s final match, hosts Russia beat Serbia and Montenegro in three
close-fought sets.
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Italy is Awarded World League Wild Card
(Aug. 21, 2006) -- After six weeks of competition, Serbia and
Montenegro, Brazil, France and Bulgaria secured their tickets to the
finals as the leaders of their respective pools, with Russia already
guaranteed a berth as the host nation. The sixth place, the FIVB’s
wild-card choice, is now offered to Italy after what FIVB President
Acosta described as one of the toughest wild card decisions during his tenure.
More
U.S. Men End World League Play on Down Note
(Aug. 19, 2006) -- The U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2006 FIVB World
League experience ended in disappointment on Saturday as it fell in three
sets (23-25, 15-25, 23-25) to Serbia & Montenegro before a crowd of almost
8,000 in Novi Sad, Serbia.
More
U.S. Men Suffer Another World League Loss
(Aug. 18, 2006) -- The U.S. Men's National Team got off to a hot
start and then cooled off considerably as it fell to Serbia & Montenegro,
3-2 (25-21, 26-24, 16-25, 16-25, 15-13), on Friday at their 2006 FIVB
World League match before approximately 7,000 fans in Beograd, Serbia.
More
U.S. Men in Fight for World League Final
(Aug. 17, 2006) -- The U.S. Men's National Team finds itself in a do-or-die
situation this weekend when it plays Serbia & Montenegro in a 2006 FIVB World League
match in Beograd and Novi Sad, Serbia.
More
World League Wild Card Decision "Toughest Ever," Says FIVB President
(Aug. 15, 2006) -- After five weeks of tough competition, the top spots in
three of the four pools competing in the World League are far from certain.
The winner of each pool, together with Russia as host country and a wild card
chosen by the FIVB, will travel to Moscow for the final round from Aug. 23-27,
2006 – days after the conclusion of the final intercontinental round.
More
Poland Completes Sweep of U.S. Men
(Aug. 13, 2006) -- The U.S. Men’s National Team did serious damage to its hopes
for advancing from pool play in the 2006 FIVB World League when it lost a second-straight
match to Poland, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-23) on Sunday in Katowice, Poland at Spodek Hall.
More
U.S. Men Can't Polish Off Poland
(Aug. 12, 2006) -- The U.S. Men’s National Team let a two-set lead slip away and
fell to Poland 3-2 (25-17, 25-21, 19-25, 23-25, 15-17) in their 2006 FIVB World League
match on Saturday in Katowice, Poland, before an estimated crowd of 10,890 at Spodek Hall.
More
CSTV Replaying Domestic World League Matches
CSTV will be replaying all the World League matches played in the United States leading up to its
broadcast of the finals from Moscow, Russia.
Aug. 22: USA vs. Japan, 6-10 p.m. ET
Aug. 23: USA v Poland, 6-10 p.m. ET
Aug. 24: USA v Japan, 6-10 p.m. ET
Aug. 25: USA v Serbia & Montenegro, 6-10 p.m. ET
Aug. 27: Japan and Serbia matches, 4-8 p.m. ET
Fans can also look online at CSTV.com for all up-to-date airings.
U.S. Men Gear Up to Face Poland and Thousands of Fans
(Aug. 10, 2006) -- The U.S. Men’s National Team is on the road again
for the 2006 FIVB World League, traveling to Poland this weekend and then to
Serbia for matches on Aug. 18-19. The U.S. matches against Poland will be
played at Spodek Hall in Katowice and both matches are sold out, so there
could be up to 10,000 people cheering on the Polish team at each match.
The matches will be at 6:30 p.m. local time, which means they will start at
9:30 a.m. PDT (12:30 p.m. EDT) on Saturday and Sunday. The matches will not be
televised in the United States, but live scoring updates will be available
on the FIVB web site.
More
Priddy and His Teammates Among World League Leaders
(Aug. 11, 2006) -- Heading into the fifth round of play in the 2006 World
League tournament, U.S. players are among the leaders in seven individual categories.
Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) heads the American effort with five top-20
rankings.
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World League Heating Up Heading into Week 5
(Aug. 9, 2006) -- Three nations are tied for the lead in the highly contested
Pool A. After Serbia-Montenegro handed the U.S. a 3-1 loss in Spokane, Wash. on
Aug. 4, the Americans rebounded to take the second match 3-1 on Aug. 5.
The weekend split tied the two teams for the pool lead.
More
U.S. Men Even World League Series with Serbia & Montenegro
(Aug. 5, 2006) -- The U.S. Men’s National Team showed it wasn’t ready to
give up a shot at the 2006 FIVB World League pool title as it defeated Serbia &
Montenegro 3-1 (27-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-21) on Saturday night at Spokane
Memorial Arena. Each team is now 5-3 in Pool A. Poland, which defeated
Japan twice over the weekend, also sits at 5-3.
More
Serbia & Montenegro Defeats U.S. Men in World League Battle
(Aug. 4, 2006) -- Serbia & Montenegro started slow but gained momentum
and the U.S. Men’s National Team couldn’t put up a roadblock as Serbia & Montenegro
defeated the United States 3-1 (13-25, 36-34, 25-22, 25-17) in their 2006 FIVB World
League match at Spokane Memorial Arena. With the victory, Serbia & Montenegro
improves its World League record to 5-2 and takes the lead in Pool A.
More
Spokane to Host World League Showdown
(Aug. 3, 2006) -- Three weeks ago, the U.S. Men's National Team was looking for its first victory
in 2 006 FIVB World League play after losing two matches to Poland. This weekend, it finds itself in first
place in Pool A. Moreover, it will face the team that once held the No. 1 position - Serbia & Montenegro -
on Aug. 4-5 at the Spokane M emorial Arena in Spokane, Wash. Both matches will begin at 8 p.m. PDT and will
be shown live on CSTV.
More
2006 FIVB World League Moves into Week 4
(July 31, 2006) -- After three rounds of World League action, the United States joins defending champions
Brazil, Cuba and Russia as individual pool-leaders. The American team extended its record against to 4-2 and took
the top spot in Pool A after two 3-1 home wins against Japan in Minneapolis, Minn.
More
U.S. Men Beat Japan, Take Pool A Lead
(July 30, 2006) -- Japan didn't make it easy, but the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team took its
fourth victory - 3-1 (25-15, 21-25, 25-17, 25-15) - in pool play at the 2006 FIVB World League on Sunday
at the Target Center in Minneapolis and moved into the lead in Pool A.
More
U.S. Men Sweep Japan and Even World League Record
(July 29, 2006) -- The U.S. Men's Volleyball Team continued its reign over Japan with a 3-0 (25-18,
25-20, 25-18) victory at their 2006 FIVB World League pool-play match on Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
More
U.S. Men Face Rematch with Japan
(July 27, 2006) -- The U.S. Men's National Team is back in pool-play action at the 2006 FIVB World
League this weekend, and it is facing a very familiar foe: Japan. The two teams played just last weekend in
Hiroshima, Japan, and the U.S. swept six straight games from the Japanese, winning by scores of 25-15, 25-22,
25-17 on July 22 and 25-12, 25-21, 25-18 on July 23.
More
U.S. Men Sweep Japan and Even World League Record
(July 23, 2006) -- The U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, which is based in Anaheim, Calif.,
improved its record to 2-2 in the 2006 FIVB World League on Sunday as it recorded a 3-0
(25-12, 25-21, 25-18) victory over Japan for the second night in a row in Pool A action on Sunday in Hiroshima.
More
U.S. Men Hammer Japan
(July 22, 2006) -- The U.S. Men's National Team made a major-league comeback and swept Japan 3-0 (25-15, 25-22,
25-17) in the first match of a weekend Pool A World League double-header at Hiroshima Green Arena
on Saturday. Team USA, which lost two matches to Poland on July 14-15 in Salt Lake City, Utah, improved
its record to 1-2, while Japan slipped to the same mark after its second consecutive defeat.
Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) led the U.S. scoring with 15 points, including 14 kills. David Lee (Alpine, Calif.)
added 12 points, including six scoring blocks, and Jim Polster (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) added 10 kills.
More
U.S. Men Among World League Leaders
Despite losses in the first two matches of 2006 FIVB World League play, several members
of the U.S. Men's National Team are among the leaders in individual categories. Setter
Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) earned the top honors with Italian setter Valerio Vermiglio
and Polish setter Pawel Zagumny, who led his team to two consecutive victories over the
American team. The three tied with a set average of 11.50.
More
U.S. Men Hit Road for World League
The U.S. Men’s National Team will play its first “away” matches of FIVB World League
competition on July 22-23 at the Hiroshima Green Arena in Hiroshima, Japan. The games
will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday in Japan, which translates
to 9 p.m. Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday, PDT.
More
U.S. roster for match against Japan
Unfortunately, there is no U.S. television coverage for World League pool play matches outside of the United
States. Click here for the FIVB Live Scoreboard
Poland Sweeps U.S. Men in World League Opening Weekend
Buoyed by vocal fans and the momentum gained from Friday night’s victory, Poland
defeated the U.S. Men’s National Team 3-1 (26-24, 25-13, 20-25, 25-22) in their
2006 FIVB World League match on Saturday at the “E” Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Poland leaves the United States with a 2-0 World League lead. The United States
will travel to Hiroshima, Japan, for its next matches on July 22-23.
Poland will travel to Serbia & Montenegro to play July 21-22.
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Poland Defeats U.S. Men in World League Opener
Poland used powerful hitting and took advantage of U.S. errors to win a
hard-fought match 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23) against the U.S. Men’s National
Team in the opening match of 2006 FIVB World League play on Friday at the "E" Center
in Salt Lake City.
U.S. Men Open World League Play Against Poland
After a five-year absence, the U.S. Men's National Team returns to play in the FIVB
World League this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a lot of excitement and a
little apprehension. Team USA goes into its matches against Poland on Friday and
Saturday (July 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. MDT both days) at the "E" Center ranked fifth
in the world and ready to see if it can live up to the ranking in one of the toughest
and most grueling competitions in men's volleyball.
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BYU Graduate Ryan Millar Happy with His Choice
One of the key players in the resurgence of the USA Men's National Volleyball
Team in the past few seasons has been middle blocker Ryan Millar. Millar,
a two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004), has been a starter in the middle since joining Team
USA in 1999. Millar graduated from BYU in Provo, Utah, and will have friends and
family in the stands when the U.S. men face Poland at the E Center in Salt Lake City.
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Minnesota Native is Coming Home as a Member of USA Men’s Team
Until this year, friends and family of Apple Valley native Jim Polster had
to travel to foreign lands to see him play volleyball for the USA Men’s
National Team. In July, all they will need to do is drive north a few miles on
Interstate 35W. Polster, 27, and his teammates will bring their game to Target
Center on July 29-30 for a two-match series with Team Japan, as part of the
FIVB World League, which features 16 of the world’s best men’s
volleyball squads. More
2006 World League Tickets On Sale Now!
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 9, 2006) – Fans starving for world-class
volleyball action in and around Utah, Minnesota and Washington can start buying
tickets to see the USA Men’s National Volleyball Team compete in the 2006 World
League today! Team USA will play its 2006 World League “home” matches in the
northern state cities of West Valley City, Utah; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Spokane,
Wash. The Americans will be a member of Pool A along with Japan, Poland and 2000
Olympic gold medalist Serbia and Montenegro, which has earned medals at each of
the last four World Leagues (silver in 2005, bronze in 2004, silver in 2003 and
bronze in 2002).
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