Here is my first preview of the Olympics.
New rules and even a brand new position made their debuts at the 2000 Sydney Games. Traditionally, teams could only score when they had served the ball. Since 2000, teams can score no matter who served, making all rallies do or die. In order to accommodate the quicker scoring pace, the first four sets are now played to 25 points while the final set remains at 15 points. Sets must be won by two points. Matches are best-of-five sets.
Additionally, and perhaps even more revolutionary, is the addition of a new position called the "libero". The libero wears a different colored shirt from their teammates and is able to substitute into the back row at anytime. The libero cannot serve, spike or rotate into the front row but these back row defensive specialists can generate a lot more digs and create longer rallies leading to more suspense. The games remain six-on-six competition.
Mens volleyball
Men's Olympic Games 2008
Qualified Teams
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. China (host country)
2. Brazil (1st World Cup)
3. Russia (2nd World Cup)
4. Bulgaria (3rd World Cup)
5. Egypt (COQT Africa)
6. Japan (COQT Asia) *
7. Serbia (COQT Europe)
8. U.S.A. (COQT Norceca)
9. Venezuela (COQT South America)
10. Germany (1st WOQT in Germany)
11. Italy (1st WOQT in Japan) *
12. Poland (1st WOQT in Portugal)
-Brazil won the Gold Medal in 2004.
-Italy has medaled in the last three Olympics
Womens Volleyball
Women's Olympic Games 2008
Qualified Teams
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. China (host country)
2. Italy (1st World Cup)
3. Brazil (2nd World Cup)
note: Yokohama, Japan, July 13, 2008 - Brazil earned a hard-fought 3-0 victory over hosts Japan Sunday evening to win their seventh World Grand Prix title with a perfect 5-0 record as the 2008 edition of the women's Volleyball gala lowered its curtain at Yokohama Arena
4. U.S.A. (3rd World Cup)
5. Algeria - Africa
6. Kazakhstan - Asia *
7. Russia - Europe
8. Cuba - Norceca
9. Venezuela - South America
10. Poland (1st World Olympic Qualification) *
11. Serbia (2nd World Olympic Qualification) *
12. Japan (3rd World Olympic Qualification) *
- Cuba captured three consecutive Gold Medals in 1994, 1998 and 2004.
-China won the Gold in 2004 and will obviously have plenty of support from the crowd in China.
Conclusion
Mens
Gold=Brazil
Silver=Russia
Bronze=USA
Womens
Gold=Brazil
Silver=Italy
Bronze=Russia
New rules and even a brand new position made their debuts at the 2000 Sydney Games. Traditionally, teams could only score when they had served the ball. Since 2000, teams can score no matter who served, making all rallies do or die. In order to accommodate the quicker scoring pace, the first four sets are now played to 25 points while the final set remains at 15 points. Sets must be won by two points. Matches are best-of-five sets.
Additionally, and perhaps even more revolutionary, is the addition of a new position called the "libero". The libero wears a different colored shirt from their teammates and is able to substitute into the back row at anytime. The libero cannot serve, spike or rotate into the front row but these back row defensive specialists can generate a lot more digs and create longer rallies leading to more suspense. The games remain six-on-six competition.
Mens volleyball
Men's Olympic Games 2008
Qualified Teams
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. China (host country)
2. Brazil (1st World Cup)
3. Russia (2nd World Cup)
4. Bulgaria (3rd World Cup)
5. Egypt (COQT Africa)
6. Japan (COQT Asia) *
7. Serbia (COQT Europe)
8. U.S.A. (COQT Norceca)
9. Venezuela (COQT South America)
10. Germany (1st WOQT in Germany)
11. Italy (1st WOQT in Japan) *
12. Poland (1st WOQT in Portugal)
-Brazil won the Gold Medal in 2004.
-Italy has medaled in the last three Olympics
Womens Volleyball
Women's Olympic Games 2008
Qualified Teams
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. China (host country)
2. Italy (1st World Cup)
3. Brazil (2nd World Cup)
note: Yokohama, Japan, July 13, 2008 - Brazil earned a hard-fought 3-0 victory over hosts Japan Sunday evening to win their seventh World Grand Prix title with a perfect 5-0 record as the 2008 edition of the women's Volleyball gala lowered its curtain at Yokohama Arena
4. U.S.A. (3rd World Cup)
5. Algeria - Africa
6. Kazakhstan - Asia *
7. Russia - Europe
8. Cuba - Norceca
9. Venezuela - South America
10. Poland (1st World Olympic Qualification) *
11. Serbia (2nd World Olympic Qualification) *
12. Japan (3rd World Olympic Qualification) *
- Cuba captured three consecutive Gold Medals in 1994, 1998 and 2004.
-China won the Gold in 2004 and will obviously have plenty of support from the crowd in China.
Conclusion
Mens
Gold=Brazil
Silver=Russia
Bronze=USA
Womens
Gold=Brazil
Silver=Italy
Bronze=Russia