Volleyroos ready to take another big leap

Lausanne, Switzerland, April 27, 2016 – The Volleyroos, as Australians love to call their national volleyball team, are ready to make a great leap forward in 2016. Their main target is, of course, this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two tough tests await the team from down under in two other Olympic cities, as they look to progress to the first Summer Games to take place in South America. In Tokyo (Olympic Games host city in 1964 and 2020) from May 28, Australia will be looking to secure their ticket to Rio in the eight-team Olympic qualification tournament. From June 17-19, they will enjoy home advantage in Sydney (Olympic host city in 2000) for the starting weekend of the 27th edition of the FIVB Volleyball World League. This will include matches against Belgium, defending champions France and 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Cup runners-up Italy. Australia are back in Group 1 as one of the twelve best teams in the world.Their fourth participation in the FIVB Volleyball World League (after 1999, 2014 and 2015) could be perfect preparation for an appearance at the Olympic Games in Rio. The remaining first round matches will feature duels against Russia (Olympic champions in London), 2015 World Cup winners USA and Bulgaria. Before that in Tokyo, however, the Volleyroos must secure one of four tickets to the Summer Games. To win a berth, they must prevail against teams like world champions Poland, last year’s World League winners France, hosts Japan, and opening opponent Iran. Leading Volleryroos player Tom Edgar is confident. “I believe one hundred per cent …

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