Fivb volleyworld 3 2012 english

official magazine / #03 / 2012

HEROES SET TO LIGHT UP LONDON 2012 VOLLEYBALL READY FOR ACTION AT XXX OLYMPIC GAMES

PLUS: How the Continental Cup reaches the beaches other tournaments fail to reach

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Cover photo Clayton Stanley of USA, 2008 Olympic volleyball gold medallist and MVP (left), spikes from one side of London’s Tower Bridge while Juliana Felisberta, half of Brazil’s world beach volleyball champion pairing with Larissa França, attempts to block on the other side Publication Managing and Editorial Committee Fédération Internationale de Volleyball Château Les Tourelles Edouard-Sandoz 2-4, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland Tel. 0041-21-3453535 Fax 0041-21-3453545 www.fivb.org Press Department Director Richard Baker Managing Editor Adam Szreter SportsWrites International www.sportswrites.com Editorial FIVB Design amethys.ch

Content volleyworld / #03 / 2012

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editorial

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the big picture

New faces light up our Olympic competitions

Let the children play

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Olympic dreams

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Cover Story

The lowdown on the Olympic contenders

Profile

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SPOTLIGHT

Cover Design and Page Layout Thomas and Trotman Design www.thomasandtrotman.com Translation Libero Language Lab www.liberos.com Reproduction Reproduction of any article or part of the magazine is authorised, providing that the source is explicitly cited Contributions Typed articles are accepted in the following languages: French, English

‘London’s a city with a noble soul – and some great shopping!’

Poland’s brothers in arms

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Development

Volleyball at the Olympics: the story so far…

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Advertising FIVB Photographs FIVB Archives Subscriptions Annual Subscriptions: 60 Swiss Francs

The rise and rise of beach volleyball

USA back from the depths of despair

Printer Swissprinters Lausanne SA. VolleyWorld is available to download in English, Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian at www.fivb.org The views expressed in VolleyWorld are not necessarily those of the FIVB or its Officials.

The content of this publication is based on the best information available at the time the articles were written.

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Confede­rations

38 40 42 44 46

AVC CAVB CEV CSV NORCECA

Oman’s man with a plan Tunisia’s talisman takes one more bow Sweden’s presidential volunteer Ramirez volleying her way around the world Citizens of volleyball’s global village

EDITORIAL

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– New faces light up our Olympic competitions The Olympic Games has finally arrived, for many athletes the

Cup was launched with three specific aims in mind: to develop beach

culmination of four years’ hard toil and dedication to their sport,

volleyball on a worldwide scale; to generate more opportunities

and for the rest of us the greatest celebration of humanity that

for athletes to become professionals in the sport; and to provide

exists. I am personally looking forward with great anticipation

additional opportunities for countries to obtain places at the London

to what will be both my first, and last, Olympic Games as

2012 Olympic Games. Once again, I feel we have achieved something

President of the International Volleyball Federation.

we can be proud of at the first attempt.

The country line-up for the Olympic volleyball and beach volleyball

And so, after what has already been a hectic summer, we reach Earls

tournaments gives me a great sense of satisfaction. When I took

Court and Horse Guards Parade with high expectations. Volleyball and

over as FIVB President immediately after the last Olympic Games in

beach volleyball are wonderful, clean sports where respect towards

Beijing I announced that the global development of our sport was my

opponents, officials, media and spectators is paramount. The Olympic

number one priority; now, to see nations like Mauritius and Turkey

Games represents the ultimate stage for the health of our sport to

taking part in Olympic volleyball for the first time suggests that we

shine through, and to show the world just how far it has come in four

have been doing something right over the past four years!

short years. I have no doubt that our Olympians will do the global volleyball family proud, and I hope you enjoy the Olympic Games.

Turkey’s women’s volleyball team made history by qualifying for the Olympic Games, and Turkey as a nation is to be congratulated; the game there has never been in better health. And while I would like to think that many countries, including Turkey, have been inspired by the FIVB and its pioneering development courses all over the world, Turkey is a great example of what can be achieved with the right resources and sound leadership.

It is of course especially pleasing to see a relatively new volleyball nation such as Mauritius coming through as Africa’s women’s winners of the first edition of the Continental Cup. The Continental

‘ The Olympic Games represents the ultimate stage for the health of our sport to shine through, and to show the world just how far it has come in four short years’

Jizhong Wei FIVB President

Turkey’s women’s volleyball team made history by qualifying for the Olympic Games

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The Big Picture

– The Big Picture Let the children play A brand new volleyball court was unveiled at the Mosa Pijade foster home in Belgrade in June. Players involved in the FIVB World Grand Prix Pool H fixtures taking place in the Serbian capital took the opportunity to add the final lick of paint to the court before taking on some of the children in a keenly contested opening match. “We wanted to show the children that they are not alone, we take care of them, and we will do so in the future,” said Slobodan Milosevic, secretary general of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia.

Leading players including Maja Ognjenovic´ of Serbia, Yusidey Silie Frometa of Cuba, Neslihan Darnel of Turkey and Tatiana Soledad Riso of Argentina symbolically finish the painting of the court

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COVER STORY

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The lowdown on the Olympic contenders The Olympic volleyball and beach volleyball competitions will be among the most keenly contested spectacles of the XXX Olympic Games. To find out about the likely medal contenders VolleyWorld has canvassed opinion from two of the legends of each discipline.

The 2.02m Ekaterina Gamova (left) will be hoping to lead Russia to gold, after silver in both 2000 and 2004

Logan Tom of USA (left), Best Scorer and silver medallist in Beijing in 2008

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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Regla Torres Herrera won three Olympic and two World Championship gold medals with Cuba, and was named Female Player of the 20th Century by the FIVB. She now acts as advisor to her national team.

“The United States are without any doubt the favourites since they have stayed among the top teams in recent times and they continue to raise their level more and more and have become a very imposing team. I can also see chances for China, Brazil and Russia. The surprise team could be Italy, and I also thought about Turkey, the European champions, and Serbia but during the World Grand Prix their physical condition has decreased considerably. All these teams have a very similar game. It is very difficult to predict the dark horses in these tournaments as many of them have lowered their level. With the exceptions of the Americans and the Chinese, all the rest including Brazil are not going well and have been prompted to move athletes and play some tournaments with a second group or a mixed group and other events with the regulars in order to rotate them and arrive at the Olympics still on their feet. As far as stand-out players are concerned I’m expecting big things from Destinee Hooker and Logan Tom of United States, Brenda Castillo of Dominican Republic, Sheilla Castro of Brazil and Ekaterina Gamova of Russia.”

COVER STORY The lowdown on the Olympic contenders

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MEN’S VOLLEYBALL With Italy Andrea Zorzi was twice a world champion, an Olympic silver medallist in 1996 and three times a World League winner including two MVP awards. He now works as a journalist.

“Brazil are favourites but they are not as dominant as they have been in recent years.

Russia are my second favourites and they have a physical and technical game with many good players. But I am Italian so I would like to see our country do well at the Games. I have been impressed with the side and [coach Mauro] Berruto has found the right way to motivate the new players. But there are a group of the teams that could be on the podium, including Poland and perhaps Serbia, Germany, Argentina and even Bulgaria. It means the quarterfinals will be a crucial step, as it is at every Olympics. As for star players, it is hard to pick any out now. The level of volleyball being played at the moment is very high, and a single player can never win a match.

It’s a team sport, much more than soccer and basketball. For sure Giba is a good player, Mikhaylov is also very good but they have a team around them full of talent. The eventual winners of the Olympic Games will be the winners because they play as a team, not because of a best player.”

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Can Argentina captain Rodrigo Quiroga and his team spring a surprise in London?

Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho of Brazil, known around the world as simply ‘Giba’, the 2004 Olympic gold medallist and a silver medallist four years ago

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COVER STORY The lowdown on the Olympic contenders

Brazil’s Larissa França, the world champion women’s pairing with Juliana Felisberta Da Silva, will be hoping for Olympic gold at last

Sanne Keizer of the Netherlands will be hoping to cause an upset with Marleen van Iersel

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WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL Kerri Pottharst won the 2000 Olympic beach volleyball gold medal on home sand in Sydney with Natalie Cook. She also won bronze in 1996 and competed in 2004. She now coaches and is a highly sought-after motivational speaker.

“Juliana and Larissa, Talita and Maria [Antonelli] and Kerri [Walsh] and Misty [MayTreanor] have the experience of knowing what it feels like to fight it out until the end of a tournament. Juliana will be particularly hungry after missing out in Beijing because of her knee injury. However, knowing they can sometimes fight with each other it will be interesting to see if the pressure gets to them. Kerri and Misty seem to have dropped off a bit in the past few tournaments, but I’m sure they will be hard to beat in London, simply because of their shared Olympic history. Talita and Maria have a great energy between them and when they get on a roll they are incredibly hard to beat.

Zhang Xi and Chen Xue from China are also right up there, and I would have to say the Dutch team of Keizer/Van Iersel are nipping at the heels of the top three. The Olympics is not an event you can really prepare for. It is way bigger than anything they will ever be involved in. The winners will be the ones that accept this and ride the wave to the top of the podium.”

COVER STORY The lowdown on the Olympic contenders

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MEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL USA’s “King of the Beach”, Sinjin Smith won the FIVB SWATCH World Tour four times from 1989 to 1992 with Randy Stoklos and finished fifth with Karl Henkel at the 1996 Olympics. A member of the FIVB Beach Volleyball Commission, he played a key role in getting the sport into the Olympics.

“There is a different kind of pressure at the Olympic Games because you’re not just representing yourself, but your country.

Some teams will surprise the world by rising to the occasion and others will succumb to the pressure. The teams we are used to seeing in finals like Alison/Emanuel (Brazil) or Rogers/Dalhausser (USA) could be upset by teams who have done well but may not be as consistent. We shouldn’t be surprised if Brink/Reckerman (Germany), Nummerdor/ Schuil (Netherlands) or the Chinese team of Xu/Wu end up on the podium. That’s what makes the Olympics so great, certain teams rise to the occasion for the big event. The World Tour is completely different to the Olympic Games, where it takes a special kind of athlete to do well because there is so much more pressure on you. Most people who are from your country may only see you once and that is at the Olympic Games.

The World Tour is many events and if you perform poorly in one event, you can always come back the next week and redeem yourself. The Olympics is all or nothing in that single event every four years.”

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Brazil’s Emanuel Rego, gold medallist in 2004 and three times a world champion

Germany’s Julius Brink has partner Jonas Reckermann in his sights

OLYMPIC DREAMS

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‘London’s a city with a noble soul – and some great shopping!’

For most athletes the Olympic Games represents the pinnacle of their sporting career.

VolleyWorld caught up with four FIVB Heroes to ask them how London 2012 figures in their thoughts.

Beach volleyball star Adrian Gavira Collado will be representing Spain with his partner Pablo Herrera, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist.

“The Olympic Games is the ultimate for any sportsman and this is my dream. I hope this year I’ll be playing in a great tournament. It will be fantastic. The first time that I saw the Olympic Games that I can remember, Pablo Herrera and Javier Bosma were playing in Athens in 2004. I didn’t play beach volleyball at that time, and now I play with Pablo – incredible! I’ve never been to London but I’m sure it will host a great Games. I’d like to meet Rafael Nadal, I like his mentality and I’d like to see a game of tennis and basketball.”

Adrian Gavira Collado, an FIVB Hero who will be hoping to bring a medal back for Spain

Gavira (right) and Pablo Herrera, Olympic silver medallist in 2004, have been playing together since 2009

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Neslihan Darnel rose to prominence when she led Turkey to a European silver medal in 2003 at the age of 19

‘Every single athlete who has qualified for the Olympic Games is a very important person to meet’

Neslihan Darnel, top scorer at the last two Women’s World Championships, plays for Turkey who have qualified for the Olympics for the very first time.

“For me the Olympic Games are the cradle of sports, and to take part in it is just the most amazing feeling I have experienced in my career. I cannot wait for it. The performances of Usain Bolt, Sergei Bubka, Yelena Isinbayeva, the USA basketball ‘Dream Team’ of Michael Jordan, the Athens 2004 women’s volleyball final between Russia and China – these are all things that come to my mind when I think about the Olympics. I think every single athlete who has qualified for the Olympic Games is a very important person to meet.

Of course there are some iconic names and teams that everyone would love to watch or meet, but for me every Olympic athlete is important to know. And I love London! It’s one of my favourite places. I’ve been there many times with my husband and we always enjoy it to the top level! It’s a city with a very noble soul – and some great shopping!”

OLYMPIC DREAMS ‘London’s a city with a noble soul – and some great shopping!’

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Todd Rogers of USA is, with Phil Dalhausser, the defending men’s Olympic beach volleyball champion.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together in the Olympic Spirit. I saw it first hand in Beijing and was in awe. Countries whose governments were at war were competing against one another at the Olympics and congratulating each other for a job well done, as though there was no war. It really struck me as something very special. My very first Olympic memory was of Carl Lewis dominating in Los Angeles in 1984 in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m relay and the long jump. It was a really neat thing to see and made more poignant by the fact he was an American and did it on American soil. I’ve not been to Horse Guards Parade but I’ve seen pictures and it looks amazing. Everyone I’ve spoken to has said it will be the coolest venue in all of London so I am really looking forward to playing there and checking it out.”

Todd Rogers in action earlier this season

‘It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together in the Olympic Spirit’

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Chen Xue won the women’s Olympic beach volleyball bronze medal on home territory in Beijing four years ago with her partner Zhang Xi. “For me the Olympic Games provides a stage to show yourself and it’s so inspiring. My favourite memory is from the Athens 2004 Olympic Games when the Chinese women’s volleyball team beat Russia 3-2 in the final.

They narrowly lost the first two sets but never gave up fighting, and to keep that spirit alive is something precious. This year I’ll be cheering for Li Na in the tennis! London is a special place to have the Games, it’s a very creative place with the London Eye and St James Park nearby, so beautiful. I plan to visit the British Museum, Windsor Castle and Oxford University when I’m not playing. I wish I could spend more time in London.”

Chen Xue flying over the sand in this season’s FIVB SWATCH World Tour

‘London is a special place to have the Games, it’s a very creative place’

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PROFILE

Poland’s brothers in arms Is true friendship possible in the ruthless world of professional sport? The story of two Polish volleyball players, Zbigniew Bartman and Michal Kubiak, who will be side by side at the Olympic Games in London this summer shows that it is.

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One-time sand boys Zbigniew Bartman (left) and Michal Kubiak were part of the Poland team which won their first ever World League gold medal in July

Profile Poland’s brothers in arms

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The paths of Bartman and Kubiak, team mates with KS Jastrzebski Wegiel and the Poland national side, first crossed in April 2004.

Bartman, then 16, had received an offer to play beach volleyball for his country at the CEV Under-18 European Championship and FIVB Youth World Championship. So he travelled to the National Youth Olympic Centre in Pila, northwest Poland, to choose a partner and it was there that he met Kubiak.

They hit it off immediately, winning gold at the European event and silver at the Worlds. Their beach feats did not go unnoticed by Zdzislaw Grodecki, the coach of Poland’s volleyball youth team who called both into the gold medal-winning squad for the 2005 CEV Youth European Championship. Kubiak got injured, but Bartman competed and consolidated his commitment to the indoor game that same year by joining PlusLiga club Plomien Sosnowiec.

It marked the start of a five-year separation for the two players on the volleyball court. “I lost my partner, but today I don’t regret it,” reflected Kubiak, who also turned his attentions to volleyball at that stage. “I have some titles in volleyball, so it was a good decision.”

Separately they competed in leagues in Italy, Russia, Turkey and Israel before joining forces once again in 2010 at Polish club AZS Politechnika Warszawska. A year later they moved together to Jastrzebski Wegiel.

Bartman, now 25, cannot imagine competing against Kubiak, a year his junior. “We could not fight against each other,” he said, and Kubiak concurred: “If one of us was better, the other would accept it for sure.”

‘We could not fight against each other; if one of us was better, the other would accept it for sure’

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Some argued that, at 1.91m, Kubiak lacked the height for the international game

‘Sport is not about losing,’ says Bartman. ‘Athletes should never regard themselves as the outsiders at a tournament’

They were also reunited on the international stage when coach Andrea

saw it differently. “Sport is not about losing,” he said. “Athletes

Anastasi drafted Kubiak into his Poland squad. Some argued that, at

should never regard themselves as the outsiders at a tournament.” He

1.91m, Kubiak lacked the height for the international game but Anastasi

will have applied the same positive thinking to the FIVB World Cup in

decided otherwise and his instincts were proved correct. With Bartman

Japan, where the Poles took second place to book their place at the

injured, Kubiak helped Poland take bronze at the 2011 CEV European

London Olympics.

Championship while together they played a prominent role in clinching the same colour medal in that year’s FIVB World League.

It seems a long time since the pair took their first steps together, as two teenage hopefuls, and Bartman hinted that one day they might

Bartman, an FIVB Hero who counts the European title won with

go back to where it all began – the beach volleyball court. “Maybe

Poland in 2009 as the highlight of his career, is the more established

after we finish our careers in the national team in volleyball we will

international player but the erstwhile receiver has found himself in

go back there,” he said. “Once you’ve tried beach volleyball, you will

a new position under Anastasi, playing as an opposite. Anastasi’s

always look for the chance to get back on the sand.”

decision to put him there stirred some debate in Poland, but he handled the switch impressively. “Andrea Giani is the model to

BARTMAN & KUBIAK HONOURS BOARD

follow,” said Bartman. “He played as an opposite, receiver, middle

2004 Gold

CEV Under-18 European Championship (Beach Volleyball)

blocker, so I am taking my lead from him.”

2004 Silver FIVB Youth World Championship (Beach Volleyball) 2011 Bronze FIVB World League

Bartman is taking his cue from another Italian at Jastrzebski Wegiel, where

2011 Silver FIVB World Club Championship (KS Jastrzebski Wegiel)

he has been reunited with coach Lorenzo Bernardi, a one-time team-mate

2011 Silver FIVB World Cup

at Marmi Lanza Verona. “Everyone who follows volleyball knows he was

2012 Gold

the best player in the 20th century,” said Bartman. “Just the chance to

FIVB World League

watch him train in Verona was a great experience for me.” Kubiak has his

SEPARATE SUCCESS – Bartman

own connection with Bernardi, who coached him at Fidia Padova.

2005 Gold

CEV European Youth Championship

2009 Gold

CEV European Championship

They have enjoyed success with Jastrzebski, helping a new-look team finish runners-up at the FIVB Club World Championship last October.

SEPARATE SUCCESS – Kubiak

Some thought they had surpassed expectations in Doha but Bartman

2011 Bronze CEV European Championship

SPOTLIGHT

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Volleyball at the Olympics: the story so far‌

Japan’s women on the podium with their bronze medals in Los Angeles in 1984

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Ever since it was introduced in 1964 volleyball has provided some of the most memorable moments in Olympic history from cliff-hanging contests to extraordinary feats of agility, and this year’s competition at the famous Earls Court exhibition centre in London will be no different. The 12 gold medals per gender thus far have been shared by seven nations on the men’s side and five on the women’s. Here, VolleyWorld runs through some of the highlights.

Spotlight Volleyball at the Olympics: the story so far…

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Tokyo 1964 A captivating three-way men’s battle between USSR, Japan and Czechoslovakia was won by USSR, who beat the second-placed Czechs in five sets early on. All went as expected on the women’s side as world champions Japan beat USSR into second place. They lost only one set in six matches, to bronze medallists Poland.

Mexico City 1968 The USSR men, with eight changes from Tokyo, won gold again. They began by losing 3-2 to USA, but toppled world champions Czechoslovakia in the decisive match. The Soviet women’s physical prowess and inventiveness made sure they turned the tables on the Japanese to also finish first. Poland were third.

Munich 1972 Japan’s men finally struck gold after bronze in Tokyo and silver in Mexico City. The magic hands of Katsutoshi Nekoda inspired them, East Germany came second, USSR third. In the women’s final USSR outgunned Japan in the fifth set of a spectacular and memorable match. North Korea took the bronze.

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Montreal 1976 Coach Hubert Wagner led Poland’s men to Olympic gold, vanquishing previously unbeaten USSR in the final while Cuba took a well-deserved bronze. Women’s gold this time went to Japan, USSR had to settle for silver while bronze medallists South Korea were led by Jo Hea-Jung, a formidable spiker just 1.65m tall.

Moscow 1980 USSR took both the men’s and women’s titles, the men losing only two sets in the whole tournament. Men’s runnersup were Bulgaria, while Romania came third, while women’s silver went to East Germany and bronze to Bulgaria, called up at the last minute. Much was expected of the Cubans, but they disappointed.

Los Angeles 1984 After losing to hosts USA in the group stage, women’s debutantes China, for whom Lang Ping was outstanding, beat USA in the final.

On the men’s side USSR, Cuba, Poland and Bulgaria were missing for political reasons. The hosts were the winners, silver medallists were Brazil and bronze medallists Italy.

Spotlight Volleyball at the Olympics: the story so far…

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Seoul 1988 The Soviet women started off by stumbling against Japan, losing 19-17 in the fifth set, but they shut out the Chinese champions in the semifinals and came from behind in a spectacular final against Peru. USA came out on top for the men, with USSR second.

Argentina pulled off a surprise third-place finish.

Barcelona 1992 Brazil’s men claimed their first Olympic gold, losing only three sets. USA took bronze and the Netherlands silver after losing three group matches. Cuba’s women won their first gold medal, coming back from two sets to one down in the semifinals to beat USA and winning against USSR in the final.

Atlanta 1996 A strong Netherlands outfit featuring the Van de Goor brothers, Bas and Mike, won a five-set men’s final against Italy, while Yugoslavia and the Grbic brothers Vladimir and Nikola took bronze. Cuba’s women defended their title, beating a resurgent China in the final, with Brazil claiming the bronze medal.

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Sydney 2000 Cuba’s women won their third straight Olympic gold in Sydney, beating Russia into second with Brazil picking up their second straight bronze. Yugoslavia’s men improved on their bronze in Atlanta with gold, Russia coming second and Italy, three times world champions, missing the main prize once again in third.

Athens 2004 MVP Giba was the star of the tournament as the Brazilian men enjoyed a 3-1 win over Italy in the final. Russia whitewashed USA 3-0 to claim the bronze. China pulled off an astonishing turnaround in the women’s final at the Peace and Friendship Stadium to beat Russia 3-2 after trailing by two sets.

OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL MEDALLISTS Year Venue 1964 Tokyo 1968 Mexico City 1972 Munich 1976 Montreal 1980 Moscow 1984 Los Angeles 1988 Seoul 1992 Barcelona

Beijing 2008

1996 Atlanta

Brazil women’s coach Jose “Ze” Roberto Guimaraes became the first coach to lead teams to Olympic gold in both men’s and women’s tournaments following his Barcelona 1992 triumph with Brazil’s men. USA’s women had to settle for silver, but their men beat 2004 champions Brazil for their first Olympic title in 20 years.

2000 Sydney 2004 Athens 2008 Beijing

Gender

Gold

Silver

Men

USSR Japan

Czechoslovakia Japan USSR Poland

USSR USSR

Japan Japan

Czechoslovakia Poland

Japan USSR

East Germany Japan

USSR North Korea

Poland Japan

USSR USSR

Cuba Korea

USSR USSR

Bulgaria East Germany

Romania Bulgaria

USA China

Brazil USA

Italy Japan

USA USSR

USSR Peru

Argentina China

Brazil Cuba

Netherlands CIS

USA USA

Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women

Bronze

Netherlands Italy Cuba China

Yugoslavia Brazil

Yugoslavia Cuba

Russia Russia

Italy Brazil

Brazil China

Italy Russia

Russia Cuba

USA Brazil

Brazil USA

Russia China

DEVELOPMENT

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The rise and rise of beach volleyball Ever since the FIVB introduced its international circuit in 1987 beach volleyball has grown exponentially. This summer’s celebrations on Horse Guards Parade will be another opportunity to show the world just how far the sport of beach volleyball has come, and how universal it is thanks to the efforts made by the FIVB and its partners over the past 25 years.

The scene at the recent 1 to 1 Energy Grand Slam event in Gstaad, Switzerland, part of the FIVB SWATCH World Tour

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DEVELOPMENT The rise and rise of beach volleyball

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Following the growth of the sport in the US and then Brazil, the

“The Continental Cup stands as a monument to our desire to ensure

launch of the FIVB World Tour started to spread beach volleyball to

that competitive beach volleyball is available to everyone regardless

other countries. In 1997 it was supplemented for the first time by the

of location,” says FIVB President Jizhong Wei. “Beach volleyball is a

FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, and in 2003 it became

sport that can be played easily, at any level, anywhere and it is our

known as the FIVB SWATCH World Tour. This season there are 14

responsibility to ensure that it is.”

stops on the Tour spread over four continents with total prize money in excess of $6 million.

The success of the first edition of the Continental Cup can be measured in many ways. In South America, Venezuela’s men and Argentina’s

But in many ways the most significant development under the FIVB

women have qualified for the Olympics for the very first time. Africa

occurred two years ago with the introduction of the Continental

has seen World Tour stops in South Africa and Morocco, but it had

Cup, a country versus country competition that takes places over

never had a continental competition of this sort before. And North

three years and ends with the winning country from each continent

and Central America (with the exception of USA and to a lesser extent

booking itself a place at the Olympic Games.

Canada) has never provided regular players for FIVB events, but their Continental Cup has been a great success in terms of participation,

The idea behind the Continental Cup is to make Olympic qualification

allowing them to further develop their own continental tour.

more attainable for all nations while at the same time, through subzonal and zonal phases, increasing the amount of high-level beach

“The Continental Cup has boosted beach volleyball all over the

volleyball competition taking place on each continent, and thus

world,” says FIVB Beach Volleyball Commission president Dr Ary

developing the sport.

Graça. “The presence at the Olympics for the first time of teams like Venezuela and Mauritius sends out the right message. It tells every

While the confederations themselves organise their own Continental Cup tournaments, each with its own final round for men and women to follow the zonal stages, the FIVB helps with the provision of equipment and support across the technical, financial and press and marketing divisions.

country, regardless of size or wealth, you can be here.”

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Japan against China in AVC Continental Cup action

Alexander Horst helps Austria on their way to a CEV quarterfinal victory against Turkey

Thousands of Mexican fans watched their country’s victory over Puerto Rico in Mazatlan

DEVELOPMENT The rise and rise of beach volleyball

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A full house at Triferto Beach in Santa Fe, as Uruguay meet hosts Argentina in the CSV Women’s Continental Cup final. Argentina were the lucky winners.

Canada’s Annie Martin, in action here against Cuba, is on her way to London 2012 thanks to the Continental Cup. Facing page, bottom right: Mozambique interviewed after winning bronze at the CAVB Women’s Continental Cup final in Rwanda.

Through its Heroes marketing campaign led by iconic figures from the sport and the opening in 2010 in Dubai of a brand new beach volleyball development centre to serve the region, the FIVB’s development of beach volleyball continues at both elite and grassroots level.

As part of a four-year growth plan for the sport starting next year, the FIVB is already working on more projects to popularise beach volleyball in developing countries. A re-evaluation of the World Tour is also taking place, working with all stakeholders to optimise the whole structure for the benefit of all parties, but primarily the athletes.

“We will continue to help and encourage the tremendous efforts of the confederations and national federations to organise more and more beach volleyball competitions in their countries and regions under the umbrella of the Continental Cup or other competitions,” said President Wei. “Beach volleyball is a sport for everyone’s future, and together we will strive to ensure it remains that way.”

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CONTINENTAL CUP

3 YEAR competition 5 CONTINENTS participating 142 NFs taking part 54 ORGANISERS staged events 70 TOURNAMENTS held worldwide PARTICIPATION LEVEL

18

29

23

53

65

55

35

36

32

AFRICA

ASIA

EUROPE KEY National Federations participating

2

6

35

12

29

10

NORCECA

SOUTH AMERICA

National Federations not participating

INCREASE IN FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL ACTIVITIES WORLDWIDE 150 149 Events

No of tournaments*

120 117 Events 90

60

76 Events

30

0

2009

2010

2011

* Includes FIVB SWATCH World Tour, Continental Cup, Junior and Youth, National Tour and Satellite and Challengers events

BLAST FROM THE PAST

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– USA back from the depths of despair Concluding the www.fivb.org series charting the history of volleyball and beach volleyball at the Olympic Games, here we look back at both competitions at the last Olympics in Beijing.

1

3

Volleyball Men Brazil were the strong favourites, having won the last two World Championships and the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

But a shocking incident overshadowed the event when Todd Bachman, father-in-law of US coach Hugh McCutcheon, was murdered in a knife attack at a popular tourist spot in Beijing and his mother-in-law Barbara also suffered serious stab wounds. McCutcheon withdrew from coaching for several matches as he and his wife kept watch over her mother in the hospital. She eventually survived, McCutcheon then resumed coaching the US team and they made it to the final. But once there they had to face Brazil. However, amid much emotion the Americans caused an upset and won the gold medal in four sets, after losing the opening set. Russia claimed the bronze.

final standings – Men 1

USA

2

Brazil

3

Russia

4

Italy

5

Bulgaria

5

China

5

Poland

5

Serbia

9

Germany

9

Venezuela

11

Egypt

11

Japan

5

35

2

1 USA coach Hugh McCutcheon, who rose from tragedy to triumph 2 Brazil on the attack against USA in the women’s final 3 The scene for the men’s final at the Capital Indoor Stadium 4 Brazilian women’s coach Ze Roberto hoisted aloft by his jubilant players 5 The USA men’s team celebrate victory over Brazil in the final 6 Brazil celebrate their first ever Olympic gold medal in women’s volleyball

4 Volleyball Women Brazil’s women’s team were ranked No1 coming in to the Beijing Games but they had never won a gold medal in women’s volleyball. The semifinals saw Brazil playing hosts China, the defending champions, and the United States playing the formerly dominant Cuban team but neither was a match for Brazil and the US as both won easily in three sets. In Beijing US teams won the men’s volleyball gold medal, and both beach volleyball gold medals. However the Brazilian women were too strong and the US could not sweep all four gold medals, losing in four sets, 25-15, 18-25, 25-13, 25-21. Brazilian coach Jose “Ze” Roberto

6

became the first coach to lead teams to Olympic gold in both the men’s and women’s tournaments following his Barcelona 1992 triumph with the Brazil men’s team. China took bronze.

final standings – Women 1

Brazil

2

USA

3

China

4

Cuba

5

Serbia

5

Italy

5

Russia

5

Japan

9

Poland

9

Kazakhstan

11

Venezuela

11

Algeria

BLAST FROM THE PAST USA BACK from the depths of despair

36

Beach Volleyball Men

1

The two favourites were defending champions Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos of Brazil, and the American world champions Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers. In their first pool match Dalhausser and Rogers were defeated in straight sets by the unheralded Latvians Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Martins Plavins, but winning their next two matches they made it to the elimination rounds. Emanuel and Ricardo won all their pool matches easily, but in the semifinals were beaten by countrymen Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhães.

For their part Dalhausser and Rogers easily defeated Renato “Geor” Gomes and Jorge “Gia” Terceiro, the Brazilian-born Georgians.

The final saw Rogers and Dalhausser win a closely fought first set, Marcio and Fabio came back to win the second but Rogers and Dalhausser trounced them in the decider to win 23-21, 17-21, 15-4.

3

final standings – Men 1

USA

Todd Rogers, Phil Dalhausser

2

BRA

Marcio Araujo, Fabio Luiz Magalhães

3

BRA

Emanuel Rego, Ricardo Santos

4

GEO

Renato Gomes, Jorge Terceiro

5

NED

Reinder Nummerdor, Richard Schuil

5

GER

David Klemperer, Eric Koreng

5

USA

Jake Gibb, Sean Rosenthal

5

AUT

Florian Gosch, Alexander Horst

1 The men’s final at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground 2 Kerri Walsh in quarterfinal action 3 Rogers and Dalhausser on their way to their semifinal triumph 4 Walsh and May-Treanor embrace at the golden moment 5 Rogers and Dalhausser celebrate victory in the men’s final 6 Misty May-Treanor just manages to keep the ball in play

5

37

2

Beach Volleyball Women Defending champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh were overwhelming favourites in Beijing and, just as they had in Athens, they did not drop a set in 14 matches. The final was played in a downpour against the Chinese pair Tian Jia and Wang Jie, a rematch of the 2007 World Championships final.

Tian and Wang led the first set 18-17, but May-Treanor and Walsh won the last four points to take it 21-18. The Americans took an early lead in the second but the Chinese pulled back to lead 9-8. However, May-Treanor and Walsh had too much in the end and won 21-18, 21-18. The second Chinese team of Xue Chen and Zhang Xi won the bronze medal.

4

6

final standings – Women 1

USA

Misty May-Treanor, Kerri Walsh

2

CHN

Tian Jia, Wang Jie

3

CHN

Xue Chen, Zhang Xi

4

BRA

Talita Antunes, Renata Ribeiro

5

BRA

Larissa Franca, Ana Paula Connelly

5

USA

Nicole Branagh, Elaine Youngs

5

AUS

Tamsin Barnett (Hinchley), Natalie Cook

5

AUT

Doris Schwaiger, Stefanie Schwaiger

AVC

38

– Oman’s man with a plan

Shihab Al Riyami believes that strengthening the coaching capabilities of Omanis will lead to the further sustainability of the sport

The Omani government now plans to fund more indoor facilities, and also to promote the sport to women

The Sultanate of Oman is a nation in West Asia that boasts a

Riyami, who is happy the Omani government now plans to fund more

coastline stretching more than 1,700 kilometres. It is the perfect

volleyball facilities, and also to promote the sport to women.

environment for beach volleyball, which is reflected in a high number of participants and a degree of success at international

“We have approved proposals for the construction of a sports stadium

level. Volleyball, however, is a different story but not one

of international standards where our sportsmen and women can

that has deterred coach Shihab Al Riyami from blazing a trail

compete,” he said. “Due to our religion and culture, the concept

towards a brighter future for Omani volleyball in general.

of sport for women is still a novelty in the community. But recently the political sector has encouraged women to contribute more in the

The Oman Volleyball Association maintains a basic structure to

community through increased participation in education and sport.”

support programmes for both volleyball and beach volleyball, but while neighbours Qatar and Bahrain each have an established

It is a trend that is reflected in the region as a whole with women

volleyball status in West Asia, Oman is still finding its way. “Oman

taking part in events in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait,

has the potential and the right resources to develop good players, but

as well as participating in refereeing and coaching courses.

it requires proper talent identification and qualified coaches,” said Al

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The Oman Volleyball Association maintains a basic structure to support programmes for both volleyball and beach volleyball

But beach volleyball is evidently the more successful alternative to its indoor counterpart in Oman. The country’s biggest achievement so far was when their men’s pairing of Haitham Al-Shereiqi and Ahmed Al-Housni won the bronze medal at the 2nd Asian Beach Games, held on home sand in 2010.

This prompted the government to provide more facilities and funding, with particular importance attached to the grassroots programme in order to sustain goals for both volleyball and beach volleyball.

Volleyball festivals and days for kids in public parks are now held yearly, and Al Riyami also believes that strengthening the coaching capabilities of Omanis will lead to the further sustainability of the sport. “Currently, many Omani coaches are unqualified, but the provision of more coaching courses by the FIVB will help us to develop a larger pool of local coaches rather than relying on the services of foreign coaches.”

‘ Due to our religion and culture, the concept of sport for women is still a novelty in the community.

But recently the political sector has encouraged women to contribute more’

CAVB

40

– Tunisia’s talisman takes one more bow

Noureddine Hfaiedh, Tunisia’s best player of all time, played his first full

Hfaiedh enjoys playing with his young son in his spare time

international at the age of just 18

Noureddine Hfaiedh led Tunisia to the 2004 Olympic Games in

“Our coach, Fethi Mkaouer, told us to just enjoy ourselves and play

Athens, but when they lost the African Nations Championship

entertaining volleyball without any stress, and this was the first step

against rivals Egypt in South Africa in 2007 many people thought

towards the dream. After we beat Cameroon on the final day of

it was the end of the international road for their star attacker.

qualification he came to me to thank me for my leadership, and I was

But London 2012 promises to be another glorious chapter for

happy when he asked me to play the same role in London.”

the 39-year-old from Haouaria, who hopes to continue playing beyond the age of 40.

Volleyball is becoming more and more popular in Tunisia and it now competes with football for the position of the nation’s favourite sport.

Tunisia’s best player of all time played his first full international at the

Hfaiedh, who enjoys playing with his young son in his spare time, is

age of just 18, and now has more than 250 games under his belt

more famous than the Tunisian footballers due to his long international

including three World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007) and two World

career. London beckons for him, but whether it will be a last hurrah

Championships (2002, 2006) as well as the 1996 and 2004 Olympics.

only time will tell.

He has also led Tunisia in six editions of the African Nations Championship, winning gold medals in three of them – 1997 and 1999, and then again in 2003 when he was named MVP after his team romped to a straight-sets victory over Egypt in front of their own fans. But Egypt’s run of four successive gold medals starting in 2005 led to the Tunisian federation’s decision, in 2007, to put an end to the international careers of their older players.

But for Hfaiedh it was not so much goodbye as au-revoir, as he returned

‘ Our coach told us just to enjoy ourselves and play entertaining volleyball without any stress, and this was the first step towards the dream’

last year after four years’ absence to guide his country to a great victory in the African Olympic qualification competition in Cameroon. “We knew Egypt were the big favourites but we were determined to defy expectations at the qualifiers in Yaoundé,” Hfaiedh said.

Hfaiedh is more famous than the Tunisian footballers due to his long international career

41

cev

42

– Sweden’s presidential volunteer Imagine the president of a national volleyball federation

Eraybar, who was born in Turkey, was certainly not in Ankara to put

joining the ranks of volunteers helping with the organisation of

on a suit and tie and watch the games from the VIP stands in between

a competition. It’s certainly something you don’t see every day,

shaking hands with distinguished political figures and volleyball

but you could see it at the CEV Olympic women’s qualification

grandees. Instead, from the very first day of competition he wore a

event in Ankara in May when the president of the Swedish

yellow volunteer T-shirt and dived into the everyday chores that take

Volleyball Federation, Saffet Eraybar, flew from Stockholm to

place courtside.

Ankara to play his unorthodox role in this important event.

From the very first day of competition Swedish Volleyball Federation president Saffet Eraybar wore a yellow volunteer T-shirt and dived into the everyday chores that take place courtside

43

Fortunately for Eraybar, he was able to enjoy Turkey’s triumph in Ankara without having to shed any tears for Sweden

He has done it many times before in the country of his birth. “I love my sport,” he says. “Volleyball is my life and I would take any opportunity I get to help the Turkish Volleyball Federation, or any other volleyball federation for that matter, as a volunteer. I like to be near the players and near the arena.” This time his official position was liaison between the local press and the CEV press delegate, but he says he would not even mind grabbing the mop if necessary!

Eraybar started his volleyball career at Galatasaray Istanbul in 1960. He is the youngest brother of Turkish volleyball legend Degˇer Eraybar, the first player in history to win 100 caps for the Turkish national team. But it was his other brother, Yener, whom Saffet followed in 1966 when he moved to Sweden to study in a sports college. There he played for Eskilstuna VK until 1972, and became a three-time silver and threetime bronze medal winner in the Swedish national championship.

In the following years he was a volleyball coach and manager, and in 2011 he was elected president of the Swedish federation. He stays in close contact with Turkish volleyball, and whenever they ask for his help he hops on the plane to Turkey. Eraybar loves his native Turkey. However, when asked which team he would root for if Turkey played against Sweden he passes the test of professionalism – “100 per cent for Sweden” is his answer.

Fortunately for Eraybar, he was able to enjoy Turkey’s triumph in Ankara without having to shed any tears for Sweden.

cSv

44

Blessed with a naturally athletic physique and a height of 1.95m, Cindy Ramirez was attracted to sport from an early age

– Ramirez volleying her way around the world Many of today’s international volleyball stars are well travelled

“I saw all the girls having so much fun, and although it looked a bit

young men and women, but Colombian middle blocker Cindy

complicated I liked the atmosphere, the people who were there, the type

Ramirez has taken globetrotting to a whole new level.

of sport and from that moment on my passion for volleyball began.”

Ramirez was born in Cali, capital of the Valle del Cauca region of

Despite having played other sports, volleyball did not come easy to

western Colombia. Blessed with a naturally athletic physique and a

Ramirez. “I saw the girls always attacking and running around the court

height of 1.95m, she was attracted to sport from an early age. She

and giving life to the sport, and I wanted to do it right,” she said. “I

tried basketball and swimming, but it was not until she was taken to a

knew I needed to train a lot to be able to do the same, and when things

women’s Vallecaucana Volleyball League training session aged 11 that

didn’t work out I felt very depressed.”

she really found her sport.

45

Ramirez (No 18) in national colours

‘I liked the atmosphere, the people who were there’

‘Volleyball has improved my lifestyle a lot’

But within a year she was selected to play for the Vallecaucana League

and even Indonesia (Bandung Alko). Now she plays in the German

in the 2001 national children’s championship, and then she was chosen

league with VT Aurubis Hamburg. With Colombia she won bronze

for the national team to take part in the South American Championship

in the 2005 Bolivarian Games and last year they finished a creditable

in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

fourth in the South American Championship.

Despite this early success her parents ensured that Ramirez continued to

“Volleyball has improved my lifestyle a lot, and I owe much to this

apply herself in the classroom, but when she completed high school she

sport,” she says. “The sacrifices and responsibilities help you grow as

was offered the chance of playing professionally with Apollon Cyprus

an athlete and a human being, and help you build your character and

Lemosos at the age of just 16. And so she packed her bags for the start

your future vision. Of course all with the help of God, family, and all the

of an incredible sporting adventure.

people who spend time in your life during this long process.”

In little more than six years she has gone on to play in Spain (Benidorm), Peru (WankaJuventus), Greece (GS Keratea), Romania (SCM Craiova)

NORCECA

46

Dominican Republic are coached by the Brazilian Marcos Kwiek

Costa Rica were coached by Xavier Perales, from Argentina

– Citizens of volleyball’s global village In a world in which distances are shortened by the magic of

In Tijuana it was the Dominican Republic who won that all-important

modern communication, the transfer of skills and knowledge

ticket to this summer’s Olympic Games. After many years of hard work

from one country to another has never been more prevalent.

the Dominican Republic have achieved many important goals on the

Volleyball is a wonderful example of a sport adapting to this

American continent and throughout the world thanks to its impressive

modern culture, as witnessed at the NORCECA Women’s

women’s volleyball programme, with Kwiek in charge.

Olympic Qualification Tournament in May in Tijuana, Mexico.

It was a little strange at first for Kwiek, who was an assistant coach Six of the eight national team coaches were born in different countries

for many national teams in his native Brazil for several years. But

to the ones they were working for. Canada’s head coach, Arnd Ludwig,

nowadays he feels completely comfortable in his new surroundings.

is from Germany; Dominican Republic were coached by the Brazilian

“I feel at home now,” says Kwiek, who has co-opted three of his

Marcos Kwiek; Mexico were under Estanislao Vachino of Argentina;

compatriots on to his coaching staff. “The Dominicans are very nice,

Costa Rica were coached by Xavier Perales, also from Argentina; Matt

I have been able to make many friends and have plenty of support

Winkler from USA was at the helm for Honduras; and Trinidad &

from the national federation.”

Tobago had the Cuban-born Francisco Cruz in charge.

Meanwhile Cruz, who coached the Dominican Republic in 2006-07, The reasons for their move vary from one to another, but all are driven

has been able to set new standards in Trinidad & Tobago. “I am very

by the challenge to improve the ranking of their teams at regional or

proud of my players but there is a way to go before we can accomplish

world level. “National federations are more conscious that the best way

our real goal of building a word class team,” he says. “I have learned

to develop is to open new avenues by importing the proper technology

a new language and now I can communicate better, so it has been a

and the right people to help in the process,” says NORCECA president

two-way benefit.”

Cristobal Marte Hoffiz. “The exchange of ideas translates into a richer knowledge.”

47

Matt Winkler from USA was at the helm for Honduras

Canada’s coach, Arnd Ludwig, is from Germany

Mexico were under Estanislao Vachino of Argentina

Trinidad & Tobago had the Cuban-born Francisco Cruz in charge

‘ National federations are more conscious that the best way to develop is to open new avenues by importing the proper technology and the right people to help in the process’

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