World League Posters

Here comes Iran!

Love love love the poster!

Thoughts?

First Look at The Netherlands‘ World League Poster!

After missing the 2011 and 2012 editions, we expected more but it looks okay…

What do you think?

Clay Stanley totally owns this poster released by USA Volleyball.

But wait!

Aren’t these the same player pics used from the previous year? Murilo is included even though he is NOT playing this year. Looks like old pics were used. Can we get an updated one please? Hah!

Oh well, what do you think?

Check out Germany‘s official poster of the 2013 FIVB World League!

We would’ve liked it more if the poster showed FACES of the German players.

Thoughts?

March 21st, 2013: Portugal Replaces Egypt

We’re quite surprised with Egypt’s withdrawal but at the same time happy to hear the news that Portugal has been chosen as the replacement. We can’t wait to see Tiago Violas, Filipe Pinto (pic below) and Team Portugal compete in Pool C of the 2013 FIVB World League.

Per FIVB:

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has announced on Wednesday that Portugal will participate in the FIVB Volleyball World League 2013, following the withdrawal of Egypt.

Portugal, ranked 36th in the world, finished 16th in last year’s World League and were eligible to fill the vacancy left by Egypt – who withdrew citing difficulty in complying with tournament regulations – having lost to the Netherlands in the second round of the World League 2013 qualifiers*.

Portugal will join Pool C, which consists of Canada (WR18), Korea (WR22), Finland (WR31), the Netherlands (WR41) and Japan (WR19) and will feature in the opening match of the competition against Finland, who finished 13th last year, in Helsinki on Friday, May 31. The times and locations of Portugal’s home matches will be confirmed in the coming days.

The World League will feature 18 teams (three pools of six teams) for the first time in its history.

2013 World League pools:

Pool A: Brazil (WR1), Poland (WR4), USA (WR5), Bulgaria (WR8), Argentina (WR9) and France (WR16)

Pool B: Russia (WR2), Italy (WR3), Cuba (WR6), Serbia (WR7), Germany (WR10), Iran (WR14)

Pool C: Canada (WR18), Korea (WR22), Finland (WR31), the Netherlands (WR41), Japan (WR19), Portugal (WR36).

Rumor has it that the political situation in Egypt forced them to withdraw.

On the other hand, a few netizens have also wondered why the FIVB didn’t pick Australia who is currently ranked #11 or maybe another country who is ranked higher than the #36 Portugal.

Anyways, good luck to Portugal!

March 15th, 2013: FIVB Picks Argentina!

We thought Poland would host the Final Round but in the end Argentina became the FIVB’s top pick to host the Finals. Take note, Argentina hosted the Finals in 2010 and in 1999.

From the FIVB:

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has confirmed that Argentina will host the Finals of the 2013 World League in Mar del Plata from July 17 to 21.

Argentina, in particular the city of Mar del Plata, has an extensive history of hosting volleyball events having staged the FIVB World League Finals in 1999, the 2002 FIVB Men’s World Championship and three FIVB World Tour Opens from 1998 to 2000. In 2010 the city of Cordoba played host to the World League Finals.

The 2013 FIVB World League Intercontinental Round will run from May 31 to July 13. The World League has increased from 16 to 18 teams split into three pools of six. It is the first time the World League will feature 18 teams, having had 16 teams from 2001-2003 and 2006-2012. The World League featured eight teams in its inaugural year in 1990, 10 in 1991 and then 12 from 1992-2000 and 2004-05.

The finals will feature the top two teams from pools A and B, the winner of pool C and the host nation. As Argentina is in Pool A and is already among the qualified teams, the best ranked team of pool A, not already qualified, will be selected.

At last year’s Finals in Sofia, the Poland team led by coach Andrea Anastasi, picked up their first ever World League title after overcoming USA 3-0 in the final. Cuba collected the bronze medal, their first since 2005, while hosts Bulgaria were also on impressive form as they finished fourth.

February 28th, 2013: Host Cities!

Click to enlarge

Fans in Iran!

The FIVB has not confirmed the host city in your country but a very reliable source has sent us the info below:

47 / IRI-SRB / 21-Jun / 14:30 / Tehran / Azadi Sport complex
48 / IRI-SRB / 23-Jun / 14:30 / Tehran / Azadi Sport complex

89 / IRI-GER / 9-Jun / 14:30 / Tehran / Azadi Sport complex
90 / IRI-GER / 11-Jun / 14:30 / Tehran / Azadi Sport complex

Rumor has it Poland will HOST the Final Round.

Per FIVB:

Pools A and B were determined using the serpentine system based on the world rankings as of August 13, 2012. Pool C features teams ranked as the next best four in the world rankings after the 12 teams in Pool A and B in addition to wildcards Japan and Egypt who were confirmed by the FIVB Executive Committee during its year end meeting in December 2012.

The top three world ranked teams in each pool will play three matches at home and two away with the bottom three world ranked teams playing twice at home and three times away. The customary World League format of two teams playing twice over the course of a weekend has returned after the 2012 edition experienced change due to the congested pre-Olympic Games calendar.

February 12th, 2013

The FIVB has released the official calendar of the 2013 World League. Host cities will be announced very soon. Take note, the World League Finals will take place from July 16 to 21 and the confirmation of the host country of the Final Round is yet to be determined.

December 17th, 2012

Over the weekend, the FIVB has chosen the last 2 teams to join next year’s 18 team World League tournament. The two teams are world ranked 19th JAPAN and 13th EGYPT. Both teams will join Pool C & will compete against #18 Canada, #22 Korea, #31 Finland and #41 The Netherlands.

Excited?

We are! We are!

December 1st, 2012

The more the merrier!

For the first time in the history of the annual competition, 18 teams (16 teams in the past) will compete in the 2013 edition of the FIVB Men’s World League.

That’s pretty awesome!

The 2013 edition will also use a DIFFERENT format:

3 Pools of 6 teams
7 Teams Advance to Final, Plus Finals Host
Top 3 teams in Pool A & B
Top team in Pool C

Take note:

“Pools A and B are determined using the serpentine system based on the world rankings as of August 13, 2012. Pool C will feature teams ranked as the next best four in the world rankings after the 12 teams in Pool A and B”

The 2 undetermined teams will be announced at a later date. We have a feeling 2 Asian teams will get the last 2 spots to complete the 18 team competition.

FIVB Press Release:

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League Council confirmed the structure of the 2013 edition of the FIVB’s premier annual men’s event at its meeting at the FIVB head office in Lausanne on Saturday with the competition increasing from 16 to 18 teams split into three pools of six.

Pools A and B are determined using the serpentine system based on the world rankings as of August 13, 2012. Pool C will feature teams ranked as the next best four in the world rankings after the 12 teams in Pool A and B plus two additional teams, which will be confirmed by the FIVB Executive Committee during its end of year meeting on December 15.

Last year’s winners Poland, will play Olympic silver medallists and nine-time World League champions Brazil, 2012 World League runner’s up USA and 2012 World League and Olympic Games fourth placed team Bulgaria along with Argentina and France.

The second pool features Olympic champions Russia, eight-time World League winners Italy, last year’s World League bronze medallists Cuba, Serbia, Germany and World League debutants Iran.

2013 World League pools:
Pool A: Brazil (WR1), Poland (WR4), USA (WR5), Bulgaria (WR8), Argentina (WR9) and France (WR16)
Pool B: Russia (WR2), Italy (WR3), Cuba (WR6), Serbia (WR7), Germany (WR10), Iran (WR14)
Pool C: Canada (WR18), Korea (WR22), Finland (WR31), the Netherlands (WR41), vacancy 1*, vacancy 2*.

It is the first time the World League will feature 18 teams, having had 16 teams from 2001-2003 and 2006-2012. The World League featured eight teams in its inaugural year in 1990, 10 in 1991 and then 12 from 1992-2000 and 2004-05.

The top three world ranked teams in each pool will play three matches at home and two away with the bottom three world ranked teams playing twice at home and three times away.

The Intercontinental Round is expected to start on May 31 with each pool playing over five weekend before the Finals take place from July 16-21. The precise calendar will be confirmed at a later date. Eight teams will qualify for the World League Finals featuring the top three teams from Pools A and B, plus the winner of Pool C and the host country. The confirmation of the host country of the World League Finals is expected by the end of January.

* To be confirmed by the FIVB Executive Committee during its end of year meeting on December 15.

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(source & images: FIVB)