2017 World Grand Prix draw completed – Olympic champions China to play silver medallists Serbia in Week 3

Lausanne, Switzerland, September 14, 2016 – Olympic champions China will take on silver medalists Serbia in the third week of the 2017 edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix after the draw for next year’s competition was held at the World Grand Prix Council meeting in Lausanne on Wednesday. The World Grand Prix Council also confirmed that next year’s competition will feature record prize money of $600,000 and a record number of teams – increasing from 28 in 2016 to 32 in 2017 – with Group 2 expanding to 12 teams. Trinidad & Tobago, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Cameroon have joined Group 3 allowing Kenya to remain in Group 2 while Korea returns and Group 3 silver and bronze medalists Kazakhstan and Peru join Group 3 winners Croatia in Group 2. The draw, which was overseen by FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° and conducted by FIVB 1st Executive Vice President and World Grand Prix Council Secretary Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, sees Turkey host title-holders Brazil, Belgium and Serbia on the opening weekend of matches, while China will host USA, Russia and Italy in Pool B1 and the Netherlands will welcome the Dominican Republic, Japan and Thailand in Pool …

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