2017 Preview: World League to set out road ahead

Lausanne, Switzerland, January 3, 2017 – The 2017 edition of the FIVB Volleyball World League will again match the best national teams in the world. It will also be an opportunity for participants to confirm successes or bounce back from disappointments at last year’s major tournaments, including the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.The opening weekend of the 2017 competition will even feature a repeat of last year’s Olympic final, which saw Brazil defeat Italy 3-0. On the second weekend, 2012 Olympic champions Russia will hope to defeat 2016 Olympic bronze medallists the United States, after losing to the North Americans in the bronze-medal match in Rio.Brazil, Italy, USA and Russia will be among the favourites to win the 2017 World League. Reigning champions Serbia, however, will also be out to defend their first title. 2015 champions France will hope to make amends for their disappointing performance at the 2016 Olympic Games, when they crashed out in the group stage. And reigning world champions Poland will aim for honours in the same year as they host the European Championships, after finishing fifth in Rio.Brazil and Italy have dominated the World League over the years, but neither country has won the competition recently. Brazil last won the World League in 2010 and have been waiting for a historic tenth title since. Meanwhile, eight-time winners Italy have gone 17 years without ending the tournament as winners. Both teams have played each other 34 times in the World League, with Brazil leading the head to head 18 to 16.“We did our job, we did our homework. The crowds were there. The fans were there. Now we must apply what we achieved in Rio throughout the World League,” said FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F°, looking back at Rio and ahead to this year’s FIVB World League. “We are in a new era, a …

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