FULL RECAP of the 2012 FIVB MEN’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament hosted by Japan, Germany & Bulgaria with results, pictures and videos.

Bulgaria qualifies for the 2012 Olympics.

World Olympic Qualification in Sofia, Bulgaria

Per FIVB:

Olympic dream on the Line in Bulgaria.

Four men’s teams will battle it out for a place to the London 2012 Olympic Games from June 8th to 10th at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. The winners will book their place at the Games in what is their final chance at qualification.

Hosts Bulgaria, Egypt, France and Pakistan will all be hoping to strike it lucky and earn their place in London.

Match Schedule, Results & Stats:

June 8th:
France 3-1 Egypt (25-22, 25-18, 15-25, 25-15)
Bulgaria 3-0 Pakistan (25-17, 25-12, 25-21)

June 9th:
Egypt 3-0 Pakistan (25-13, 25-22, 26-24)
Bulgaria 3-1 France (25-19, 26-28, 25-23, 27-25)

June 10th:
France 3-1 Pakistan (21-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-13)
Bulgaria 3-1 Egypt (25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 25-12)

Final Ranking:

Bulgaria
France
Egypt
Pakistan

Videos:

Click HERE to WATCH Pakistan vs France

Click HERE to WATCH France vs Bulgaria

Click HERE to WATCH Egypt vs France

***

Germany qualifies for the 2012 Olympics.

World Olympic Qualification in Berlin, Germany

Per FIVB:

Olympic dream on the Line in Berlin.

Four men’s teams will battle it out for a place to the London 2012 Olympic Games from June 8 to 10 at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Berlin, Germany. The winners will book their place at the Games in what is their final chance at qualification.

Hosts Germany, India, Czech Republic and Cuba will all be hoping to strike it lucky and earn their place in London.

Match Schedule, Results & Stats:

June 8th:
Cuba 3-1 Czech Republic (27-29, 25-23, 25-23, 25-21)
Germany 3-0 India (25-16, 25-19, 25-15)

June 9th:
Czech Republic 3-0 India (25-19, 25-13, 25-23)
Germany 3-2 Cuba (25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 17-25, 20-18)

June 10th:
Cuba 3-0 India (25-12, 25-22, 25-20)
Germany 3-1 Czech Republic (25-22, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21)

Final Ranking:

Germany
Cuba
Czech Republic
India

Videos:

Click HERE to WATCH Czech Republic vs Germany

Click HERE to WATCH Cuba vs India

Click HERE to WATCH Germany vs Cuba

Click HERE to WATCH India vs Czech Republic

Click HERE to WATCH Germany vs India

Click HERE to WATCH Cuba vs Czech Republic

***

World Olympic Qualification in Tokyo, Japan

Per FIVB:

Eight men’s teams will battle it out for two places to the London 2012 Olympic Games from June 1 to 10 at the joint Asia Continental and World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, Japan. The winners will book their place at the Games, followed by the best Asian team, which will join them as per the Asian Confederation vacancy.

Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Venezuela will all be hoping to strike it lucky and earn their place in London.

Match Schedule, Results & Stats:

June 1st:

Australia 3-0 Venezuela
Puerto Rico 0-3 China
Iran 3-0 South Korea
Japan 0-3 Serbia

Click image to enlarge.

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“I’m very happy for the 3-0 win because we get three points, which is important in this tournament. I was worried because we did not play last month due to visa problem with the Czech Republic and Poland. Everything was good – better than I thought. Our serve was strong. We studied them. We had a good technical level with confidence and fighting spirit. Farhad Ghaemi played well. His serve and reception were good. He was nervous as this was his first competitive international match. I spoke to him a lot last night, so I am happy.” -Iran coach Julio Velasco

Just Saying: Korea played 3 5-set matches in the World League against USA, Italy & France and they lost 0-3 to Iran? We’re disappointed.

“We are happy to win the first game. We started the way we wanted to – we dominated. This is a real confidence boost for our next game”. – Australia team captain Igor Yudin.

Just Saying: 2007 Asian Champion Australia looks strong. Let’s not underestimate them.

“I am very proud. We showed great determination. It’s only the first game but it was a great start for us in a long tournament. We played a strong match and they didn’t. That was the difference.” -Serbia team captain Bojan Janic.

Just Saying: Japan committed too many service errors. They should just stick to floaters. Jump serves don’t work too well for Coach Ueta’s team.

FIVB Images

***

June 2nd:

Australia 3-0 Puerto Rico
China 2-3 Iran
South Korea 1-3 Serbia
Japan 3-0 Venezuela

Click image to enlarge.

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“We have no chance to qualify for the Olympics, but we have remaining games so we will do our best and stay motivated.” -Puerto Rico coach Carlos Cardona

Just Saying: It’s only day 2 and he’s given up on his team already? How Sad.

“It was a very good game. China said there was an element of luck in the result, but it’s not true. We dominated all through the game and played well against them in the fifth set. They had chances, but we played a good game. China was one of the opponents we were worried about; we play at a similar level. It was a close game, but I think it will help us in our bid to qualify for the Olympics.” -Iran’s Hamzeh Zarini.

Just Saying: This man really wants to compete in the Olympics so bad that he shunned China’s comment saying Iran had luck on its side so they won. Hah!

“We tried our best but it was a really tough match and the loss is a real pity. We have more games to play so now I want to forget about losing today.” -Korea’s Kim Yo-Han.

Just Saying: Exactly! Learn from the defeat and move on.

FIVB Images

***

June 5th:

Puerto Rico 0-3 Venezuela
Iran 1-3 Australia
Serbia 3-0 China
Japan 3-2 South Korea

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“I’m happy for the win today. We are gradually increasing our energy and rhythm. We had good concentration. It’s a new generation of players for Venezuela. We are reaching the level we need to succeed. We want to push forward. We kept a good rhythm. We are here to learn and carry on.” -Venezuela captain Kervin Pinerua

Just Saying: The future looks bright for Venezuela is every player remains as optimistic as Pinerua.

“This was a very important game for us. We have won and now we have to think about Australia tomorrow.” -Serbia coach Igor Kolakovic

Just Saying: We’ve said this before and we’re going to say this gain, watch out for Australia!

“I wish we could have won 3-1. We were passive after the first set. Our mental approach must be reviewed. We will have to sustain our strong will in the coming matches.” -Japan captain Daisuke Usami

Just Saying: This is why every team must start strong, stay strong and finish strong in every match or else you’d lose those valuable points in the end.

FIVB Images

***

June 6th:

Puerto Rico 1-3 Iran
Australia 0-3 Serbia
Venezuela 0-3 South Korea
Japan 1-3 China

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“We played better today. This was our best match of the tournament. We showed more heart, more fight.” -Puerto Rico captain Jose Rivera

Just Saying: We really expected Puerto Rico to put a good fight in this tournament. It’s been disappointing.

“We played a perfect game. I don’t think Australia has seen such a high level for three sets. We are closer to the Olympic Games and have to continue on like this.” -Serbia player Nikola Kovacevic

Just Saying: Someone totally had a great time crushing Australia.

“Korea had a lot of speed. They are so quick. Their blocks were also quick. We could not keep up with them. We could not serve well. Our serves were scattered and unstable.” -Venezuela captain Kervin Pinerua

Just Saying: Nevertherless, it’s great to see Venezuela in such a big international tournament.

FIVB Images

***

June 7th:

Iran 3-0 Venezuela
Serbia 3-0 Puerto Rico
South Korea 3-2 China
Japan 3-0 Australia

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“We will play Serbia next and will have to play better to beat the European champions. But you never know, we may have a chance to win.” -Iran coach Julio Velasco:

Just Saying: Serbia is beatable and so is Iran. Either way, it’d be a great match!

“We gave our best. I’m disappointed that we lost.” -China player Zhang Chen

Just Saying: It’s ok at least you and your team tried.

“We were backed into a corner and knew we could not lose. Everybody on the team pulled together.” -Japan player Yusuke Ishijima:

Just Saying: Yay to Teamwork!

FIVB Images

***

June 9th:

Iran 0-3 Serbia (28-30, 28-30, 22-25)
Venezuela 1-3 China (18-25, 26-28, 25-19, 21-25)
Australia 3-1 South Korea (25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 25-20)
Japan 3-1 Puerto Rico (22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-16)

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“In a tournament, a team has to learn to forget defeats; only they must learn from the defeats. They must learn technical, tactical and specific situations to do better in the match.” -Iran coach Julio Velasco

Just Saying: We couldn’t agree more!

“Our opponents today played great and gave us many problems. They really rattled us at times. But we recovered OK. Now we’re at the end of the tournament and we want to keep going to the end.” -China captain Cui Jianjun

Just Saying: We’re rattled too by China’s disappointing performance in this tournament.

“Today, my team’s reception was not good and that handed Australia the victory.” -Korea coach Park Ki-Won

Just Saying: Perhaps time to practice more on “serve receive”?

FIVB Images

***

June 10th:

Serbia 3-0 Venezuela
China 0-3 Australia
South Korea 3-2 Puerto Rico
Japan 0-3 Iran

Our 3 Favorite FIVB Quotes Of The Day:

“I’m happy about this victory because we won all our games in this tournament and dropped only one set.” -Serbia captain Bojan Janic

Just Saying: We’re so happy too Bojan! King Ivan Miljkovic must be very proud of you guys!

“I can’t remember having the same focus and aggression since I joined the team. It’s great that we made this step on such a huge stage and at such a huge moment.” -Australia team captain Igor Yudin

Just Saying: You need more of that in London BB Igor.

“I have to wait three more years. I’d like to prepare for the next Olympics. I want to thank my players who did their best to the end.” -Korea coach Park Ki-Won

Just Saying: The preparation for 2016 starts today. Good luck!

FIVB Images

*The Asian Qualification Tournament will be combined with the World Qualification Tournament 1. The first place team of the tournament will qualify as the winners of the World Qualification Tournament 1 while the best Asian team except the winners qualify as the Asian Qualification Tournament winners.

(images: FIVB & Perko Photography)

Video Gallery: