OFFICIAL MAGAZINE / #06 / 2014

BACK ON TOP:
USA HIT HEIGHTS
AT WORLD LEAGUE
FINALS

THINK

Feel

EDITORIAL
Cover photo
USA clinched their second FIVB
Volleyball World League crown in
Florence, Italy on July 20 with Taylor
Sander (pictured) playing a central role
top earn the MVP and Best Outside
Spiker award
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The FIVB Volleyball World League may be over for

another year, but we can all look back on another
thrilling edition that provided great action on the court
and entertained packed arenas and stadiums around
the world.
The 2014 edition was historical as it expanded to include
28 teams for the first time. All battled hard with passion
and great skill across the five confederations to qualify
for the Finals in Florence.
The six teams then put on a volleyball spectacle at the
Nelson Mandela Arena, which proved to be a fantastic
venue for such a prestigious event, again demonstrating
the Italian Volleyball Federations ability to host the
highest calibre of volleyball competitions.
In the end, USA were worthy winners; on the court they
showed great technique and teamwork, while off it
they demonstrated the humility that all champion teams
possess. It has been a quiet period for the US in recent
years, but I am sure their fans will hope and expect this
achievement to launch a new period of success.

We also managed to create some memorable

scenes thanks to the innovative work of a number
of federations who took their matches to new and
unique venues. The photos of these events had a
global impact and caught the imagination of sports
fans who ordinarily would not watch volleyball. I must
congratulate those federations for such forethought
and the courage to try new initiatives that benefit the
sport and encourage others to follow suit in the future.
We can now all look forward to the start of the premier
womens annual volleyball tournament The FIVB
Volleyball World Grand Prix. Like the World League
the competition has also inflated to 28 teams and will
pit the worlds best against each other across the five
confederations.
I am confident that the excitement, passion and offfield innovations of the World Grand Prix will match
those that we have just witnessed in the World League.
Lucky us.

The growth of the tournament to 28 teams was a key

initiative of the new administration as a way to give
more teams the chance to take part. The benefits from
the experience gained for both players on the court as
well as volleyball federations learning how to organise
the tournament off it will prove to be invaluable in the
future.
By increasing the number of countries who can organise
major volleyball events we will be able to create
memories and inspire young players to take up our great
sport, helping it grow further.

FIVB President: Dr. Ary S. Graa F

CONTENT / VOLLEYWORLD / #06 / 2014

BIG PICTURE

COVER STORY

10

CALENDAR

USA back on top

after World League glory

12

FEATURE
US pairs lead the way, but
chasing pack close behind

16

SOCIAL MEDIA

18

CONFEDERATIONS
22 AVC 23 CAVB
23 CEV 24 CSV
24 NORCECA

BIG PICTURE

From its start on May 23 through

to the final on July 20, the FIVB
Volleyball World League once
again produced thrills, excitement
and a vast array of memories. A
record 28 teams took part across
the five confederations, while off
the court fans packed out arenas
from Sao Paolo to Sydney and were
royally entertained by world-famous
performing artists. In the end the
USA prevailed by winning the Final
Six gold medal, but all the teams
who competed can be proud of their
efforts and no doubt will be already
plotting ways to match their 2014
achievements in the coming months.

COVER STORY

USA back on top

after World League glory
USA roared back to the top of the volleyball world when they won the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World League in Florence, Italy on
June 20. It ended six barren years without a major international gold medal for John Speraws team, but they put those behind
them with a 3-1 win over Brazil in the final to earn their second ever World League crown and join Brazil, Italy and Russia as
multi-title winners.

COVER STORY

VolleyWorld looks back on all the action from the Final Six at the
Nelson Mandela Forum and across the tournament as a whole when
28 teams pitted their skills against one another in a record-setting
year for the worlds largest annual volleyball tournament.
It had been a long six years for the USA, the last time that they won
the World League title and a win that set them on the way to gold at
the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. They banished the ghosts of that
victory with a 3-1 (31-29, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23) win in the final, this
time over world No.1 Brazil, whereas six years ago in Rio de Janeiro
the US beat Serbia, albeit by the same 3-1 scoreline.
Brazil went into the final seeking their first World League title since
2010, but they were unable to cope with a USA side which included
22-year-old outside spiker Taylor Sander who was in inspired form.
He was subsequently voted tournament MVP for his efforts in the
renaissance city.
For USA coach Speraw the victory was just reward for injecting new
life into the team that slumped out of the London 2012 Olympic
Games at the quarterfinal stage.
Im thrilled for my guys, he said. I couldnt be happier. It was a
great final; the first set was just one point, two points the entire way
through. I was thinking that Brazil start slow and would come back.
The difference between the teams was small.
The week didnt start well for USA when they lost 3-0 (25-22, 25-21,
26-24) to an emotionally charged Italy, but they rallied and a 3-1 (2225, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19) win over Australia guaranteed their place in
the semifinals. There they saw off Iran in straight sets (25-18, 25-22,
25-16) to set up a final showdown with Brazil.
Sander was the finals top scorer with 24 points and and totalled 66
for the tournament, just behind Irans Amir Ghafour who collected
71 points over his teams four matches to top the leaderboard.
We lost the first game against Italy and didnt look so good, but we
always wanted gold, Sander said. We improved as the tournament
went on. We should remember that we almost didnt make the
World League Finals and it went down to the last match.
For Brazil there was disappointment in losing a second consecutive
final, but relief that the wobbles they had shown in the intercontinental
The Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence was packed to capacity for each
match of the Final Six

COVER STORY

round, with defeats at home to Italy and Iran, were overcome and
pushed firmly to the back of the mind.
With the defence of their FIVB Volleyball Mens World Championship
title beginning in August there is also relief that a team that was
showing signs of crumbling is finding its feet and displaying heart
and passion once again.
They had a great defence, they kept the ball alive, Brazil coach
Bernardo Rezende said. We made a lot of mistakes. It was a lesson
for us, and we are frustrated, but congratulations to them [USA]. We

Ivan Zaytsev was again at the heart of Italys bronze medal winning team
Brazil overcame a slow start to finish as silver medallists for the second year
running

have a lot of things to work on ahead of the World Championships.

We have made some strides, but we need to be more consistent to
compete at that tournament.
After a tournament that featured a record 28 teams for the first time
Italy completed the podium as they clinched bronze for a second year

and which criss-crossed the globe bringing great entertainment to

in a row. Their win over Iran in the bronze medal match was a case

hundreds of thousands in packed arenas and in unique settings, the

of one of the established teams taking on one of the most rapidly

World League showed why it remains the premier annual volleyball

improved sides in recent years.

tournament.

While Mauro Berrutos team were unable to delight their home crowd

For USA the win sets them up nicely for the upcoming World

by winning gold, the bronze shows that the team led by Emanuele

Championship and the chance to match their exploits of 2008 when

Birarelli are continuing to elevate themselves back to the summit of

World League gold was followed by Olympic glory.

the sport.
Looking ahead to the World Championships, its a confidence
We are still ambitious and we still think were a great team who

booster, Speraw admitted. Its an opportunity to get on the

can win tournaments, setter Dragan Travica said. Now we have to

podium. That hasnt happened much for this team. Its a great

prove it. At least we ended our tournament with a victory. Well give

learning opportunity ahead of that. We have a tough pool but Im

ourselves both a pat on the shoulders for today and a slap on the

optimistic. We can instil the value of teamwork in this side and get a

wrists for yesterday.

good foundation. We have a nice mix of youth and veterans.

FINAL STANDINGS

GROUP 1

OVERALL
1

USA

USA

Brazil

Brazil

Italy

Italy

Iran

Iran

Australia

Russia

Russia

Serbia

AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Taylor Sander (USA)

BEST SETTER
Saeid Marouf (IRI)

Bulgaria

GROUP 2

7
Poland

Australia (qualified for Final Six)

France

Australia

Taylor Sander (USA)

Belgium

10

France

Ricardo Lucarelli (BRA)

The Netherlands

11

Belgium

Argentina

12

The Netherlands

Canada
Portugal

13

David Lee (USA)

Canada

Lucas Saatkamp (USA)

Portugal

Finland

Czech Republic
16

Finland

Japan
19
Korea

Cuba

21

Cuba

Turkey

22

Turkey

China

23

China

Slovakia

24

Slovakia

Mexico
5

Mexico
25

Spain

Spain

Puerto Rico
7

Puerto Rico
27

Tunisia

BEST OPPOSITE SPIKER

Wallace Souza (BRA)

Germany

Japan
11
Korea

BEST MIDDLE BLOCKERS

Argentina

Czech Republic

Germany

GROUP 3

BEST OUTSIDE SPIKERS

Tunisia

BEST LIBERO
Salvatore Rossini (ITA)

SERVING UP
THE WORLDS
BEST VOLLEYBALL

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM
STAVANGER
NORWAY
24-29 JUNE

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM
THE HAGUE
THE NETHERLANDS
15-20 JULY

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

WOMENS CLUB
WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

LONG BEACH
USA

ZURICH
SWITZERLAND

GSTAAD,
SWITZERLAND

22-27 JULY

07-11 MAY

8-13 JULY

WORLD TOUR
OPEN

U17 WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS

PUERTO VALLARTA
MEXICO

ACAPULCO
MEXICO

06 - 11 MAY

15-20 JULY

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM
KLAGENFURT
AUSTRIA
29 JULY - 3 AUGUST

U19 WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS
WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

MENS CLUB
WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP

SAO PAULO
BRAZIL

BELO HORIZONTE
BRAZIL

23 - 28 SEPTEMBER

5-10 MAY

PORTO
PORTUGAL
29 JUL. - 3 AUG.

WORLD TOUR
OPEN
PARANA
ARGENTINA
28 OCT. - 2 NOV.

VOLLEYBALL

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

CLICK ON EACH COMPETITION FOR MORE INFORMATION

WORLD GRAND PRIX

FINAL ROUND

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

U23 WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS

MENS WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP

STARE JABLONKI
POLAND

MYSLOWICE
POLAND

POLAND

KOZALIN
POLAND

19 - 24 AUGUST

10-15 JUNE

30 AUG. - 21 SEPT.

AUGUST 15-16

(2ND GROUP)

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

WORLD TOUR
OPEN
(WOMEN)

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

WORLD TOUR
OPEN

BERLIN
GERMANY

PRAGUE
CZECH REPUBLIC

MOSCOW
RUSSIA

ANAPA
RUSSIA

17-22 JUNE

21 - 25 MAY

11-15 JUNE

27 MAY - 1 JUNE

WORLD TOUR
GRAND SLAM

WORLD TOUR
OPEN

SHANGHAI
CHINA

XIAMEN
CHINA

29 APR. - 4 MAY

7-12 OCTOBER

WORLD GRAND PRIX

FINAL ROUND

WORLD TOUR
OPEN

YOUTH OLYMPIC
GAMES

SAMOKOV
BULGARIA

FUZHOU
CHINA

NANJING
CHINA

16-17 AUGUST

22 - 27 APRIL

17-27 AUGUST

(3RD GROUP)

WORLD LEAGUE
FINAL ROUND
(3RD GROUP)

WORLD GRAND PRIX

FINAL ROUND
(1ST GROUP)

BURSA
TURKEY

TOKYO
JAPAN

28-29 JUNE

20-24 AUGUST

WOMENS WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP
ITALY
23 SEPT. - 12 OCT.
WORLD LEAGUE
FINAL ROUND
(1ST GROUP)
FLORENCE
ITALY
16-20 JULY

U21 WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS

WORLD TOUR
OPEN
(MEN)

WORLD TOUR
OPENS

LARNACA
CYPRUS

DOHA
QATAR

CHENNAI
INDIA

23-27 JULY

4-8 NOVEMBRE

25-30 NOVEMBER

WORLD TOUR
OPEN

WORLD LEAGUE
FINAL ROUND
(2ND GROUP)

MANGAUNG
SOUTH AFRICA

SYDNEY
AUSTRALIA

9-14 DECEMBER

11-12 JULY

12

FEATURE
BEACH VOLLEYBALL UPDATE

13

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FEATURE
BEACH VOLLEYBALL UPDATE

14

Back in late April the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour raised the

Their compatriots and Walshs fellow Olympic champion Phil

curtains on the 2014 season at the Fuzhou Open, with a wide open

Dalhausser and Sean Rosenthal meanwhile made a slower

field competing on Chinas south-east coast.

start, but following bronze in Moscow, they sealed gold in

Stavanger, Gstaad and Long Beach with a number of dominant

US tandem April Ross and Kerri Walsh maintained the momentum

displays to lead the way in mens titles.

from their two tournament victories in 2013 by winning the womens

competition, while Italian pair Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo won

We keep getting better and better. When Phil can serve and

their maiden World Tour title with victory in the mens event.

block like that and Im picking up tough balls at the back were
going to be a pretty tough team to beat, was Rosenthals

Facing Ross and Walsh across the net in the gold medal match was

ominous warning after their win in Gstaad.

a familiar face in Brazils Juliana Felisberta Da Silva. After she won

bronze with long-time partner Larissa Frana at London 2012 she

With their success in Fuzhou, Nicolai and Lupo have been one

missed the entire 2013 season, but was now back and hit the ground

of a number of teams to make their breakthrough to the top

running in her first FIVB tournament alongside new partner Maria

of the podium in 2014 and they followed up with victory a

Antonelli.

week later at the Shanghai Grand Slam.

Ross and Walsh quickly established themselves as the dominant

If the Italians had waited a while to fulfil their potential as a

womens pair on the World Tour and subsequently added titles at the

duo, Germanys Laura Ludwig had been waiting even longer

Moscow, Stavanger and Long Beach Grand Slams.

- nine finals and nine silver medals to be precise. But she and

15

Larissa Frana (pictured) returned and went straight to the top of the podium
at Klagenfurt with new partner Talita Antunes
Sean Rosenthal (left) and Phil Dalhausser have hit their stride in 2014

Brazils challenge has come predominantly in the womens draw.

After Juliana and Maria Antonellis success in Fuzhou the pair have
added three more silver medals to their tally.
Meanwhile Julianas long-time partner Larissa returned alongside
Talita Antunes, Maria Antonellis former partner and one half of the
2013 World Tour winners. Talita and Larissa made an immediate
impact by winning the Klagenfurt Grand Slam with a win over Juliana
and Maria Antonelli in the gold medal match.
They are not the only Brazilian team to have found success so far
on this years World Tour; Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas
claimed one gold, one silver and two bronze, while Taiana Lima,
the other half of the 2013 champions, immediately paired up with
Fernanda Alves and won the Transavia Grand Slam.
Everything is new for me. I played 10 years professional volleyball
and then the CBV (Brazilian Volleyball Federation) asked me to play
Kira Walkenhorst finally won their first gold with victory in

on the beach, Fernanda said. I did it because I really liked the

Shanghai.

challenge and I really dont regret it, not a bit.

Im so happy because it was a long time without winning the

Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt meanwhile have led the

tournament. A lot of finals, always lost, Ludwig said. Im really happy

way for Brazils men and eventually won their first gold together in

especially because its a Grand Slam and it was a big thing and its the

Klagenfurt after one silver and two bronze.

second year with Kira and we were doing a good job. I am so happy.
One team that is yet to fully make their mark in 2014 is defending
Ludwig and Walkenhorst were not the only teams topping the podium

World Tour champions Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins.

for the first time in their careers in 2014 with the Czech Republics Kristyna
Kolocova and Marketa Slukova showing that once they tasted their first

The Latvian duo started the year well with silver in Shanghai and

medal success they wanted more.

victory at the Puerto Vallarta Open in Mexico. Since then though they
have failed to find their previous rhythm and have been unable to

They began with victory at home at the Prague Open and then won the

return to the podium.

Berlin Grand Slam with a number of impressive victories en route to the

final before they claimed bronze in Gstaad.

Whether they can find that rhythm and mount a late challenge to
retain the title they won in dramatic style at the 2013 Durban Open

I cant believe the season we are having, Slukova said following their

remains to be seen, but it will be one of the many twists and turns

win in the Gstaad bronze medal match.

the 2014 World Tour produces before this years victors are known.

SOCIAL MEDIA

16

The 2014 FIVB Volleyball World League had a huge impact on social media with global discussion about the intercontinental round and the
Finals fuelling the conversation. Join the FIVBs online community to share your thoughts and images with volleyball fans from across the
world. Fans can connect with the FIVB on the following social media accounts:

Iran and Russia are ready to enter in

the field! Half an hour to the start of @
WLFirenze2014 @Iranvolleyball

Brazils Sport TV interview Italian volleyball

legend and FIVB blogger Andrea Zorzi ahead of
#WorldLeagueFinals day 2

@JohnSperaw No words necessary. #gold

Panoramic view of Nelson Mandela Forum before

the FIVB World League gold medal match between
Brazil and USA on 20 July.

CONFEDERATIONS

18

CONFEDERATIONS

AVC
Iran celebrate rise
as world volleyball power
Irans rise through the ranks of world volleyball continued at the
2014 FIVB Volleyball World League when they recorded a best
ever finish of fourth place.
While they may have missed out on becoming the first Asian side
to step onto the World League podium when Italy downed them
in straight sets (25-22, 25-18, 25-22) in the bronze medal match,
they showed that there is no reason why they shouldnt reach the
top three in forthcoming tournaments.
We are not angry after losing this game, libero Farh Zarif said.
It is the best Iran has ever done at the World League. We came
ninth last year in our first ever World League and now we have
made the bronze medal match. Thats very good for us.

Read more online

19

CAVB
Tunisia leave it late
for maiden win
Tunisia had to wait until their final pool match to make history
with a first ever FIVB Volleyball World League victory, defeating
Mexico in five thrilling sets 3-2 (25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 21-25, 1513).
Fethi Mkaouars team beat the Central Americans in a match
which saw Hichem Kaabi put on an impressive performance with
27 points from 26 attacks and one block.
This game was our last chance to have our first victory,
Tunisia captain Sallami Samir said. We didnt want to miss out
on that opportunity. We were so focused on our goal and we
concentrated on the weaknesses of our opponents.

Read more online

CEV
Travica targets tournament win
Italian setter Dragan Travica believes that Italy have the potential
to win a future tournament after they claimed another FIVB
Volleyball World League bronze medal in front of their fans at
the Nelson Mandela Arena in Florence.
Mauro Berrutos team may have left the renaissance city in good
spirits following their 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-22) victory over
Iran, but it is the fourth bronze medal that they have won in
three since returning to the podium with bronze at the London
2012 Olympic Games. In 2013 they won World League and
Grand Champions Cup bronze too.

Read more online

CONFEDERATIONS

20

CSV
Velasco calls for lessons
to be learned
Argentinas 2014 FIVB Volleyball World League campaign finished
in disappointing fashion when they lost 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 23-25,
25-16) to France in Paris and missed out on a place in the Finals.
Julio Velascos team went into the match needing a win to qualify,
but despite Federico Pereyra and Sebastian Sole leading the scores
with 14 points, they were unable to stop a France team that were
roared on by 2,350 fans.
The South Americans had won the first of the two matches, but
the defeat and subsequent elimination means that Velsaco has
plenty of work to do after the progress of the past two years when
Argentina finished sixth and 10th.

Read more online

NORCECA
Sander leads the way
for US success
Taylor Sander was the standout player as USA won their second
FIVB Volleyball World League title in Florence, Italy on July 20.
The outside hitter topped the statistical charts to receive the
highest individual honour in the FIVB Volleyball World League
Dream Team the Most Valuable Player Award.
Those who have followed the 22-year-olds career closely would
not be surprised; back in 2012 he was voted MVP when a young
US team won the Pan-American Cup in the Dominican Republic
shortly before the full side failed to defend their Olympic title at
London 2012.

Read more online