With advanced aerodynamic engineering, the new MIKASA MVA200 offers better stability and ball control. The world’s top athletes agree...The best has arrived! MEDIA GUIDE 2009 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup Cup Champions Grand World FIVB 2009 MEDIA GUIDE

THE MIKASA MVA200 Officially certified FIVB Competition Ball

Women: 10 - 15 November ( & Fukuoka, ) www.fi vb.org Men: 18 - 23 November (Osaka & , Japan) Table of Contents

JVA President’s Message...... 2 FIVB President’s Message...... 3 World Grand Champions Cup Records/History...... 4 Competition Format...... 8 Media Info...... 10 Venue Information...... 12 Women’s Participating Teams...... 15 Women’s Road to Tokyo...... 16 Women’s Competition Schedule...... 20 ...... 22 ...... 26 ...... 30 Japan...... 34 ...... 38 ...... 42 Players...... 46 Men’s Participating Teams...... 51 Men’s Road to Tokyo...... 52 Men’s Competition Schedule...... 56 Brazil...... 58 ...... 62 Egypt...... 66 ...... 70 Japan...... 74 ...... 78 Star Players...... 82 Volleyball History, Facts & Dates...... 85 FIVB History...... 88 FIVB Properties...... 90 Rules of the Game...... 92 Referee’s Signals...... 94 FIVB Officials...... 96

Credits Editorial : Richard Baker – FIVB Deputy Communications Director Project Manager : Gabrielle van Zwieten – FIVB Vice-Director Volleyball Events Text : Andrew Mitchell – FIVB Editorial Assistant Data : Alberto Rigamonti – FIVB IT Department Design and Layout : Samuel Chesaux Printed by Wakao Printing Co. Ltd., Japan Kaori Inoue (JPN) Photos : © FIVB 1 JVA President’s Message FIVB President’s Message www.fivb.org

It is our great pleasure to have another opportunity to host the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup for men and women.

The FIVB World Grand Champions Cup was founded in 1993 and this year’s competition will be the fifth edition. We are very proud to have hosted the event since its beginning.

This year’s competition will take place in Tokyo and Fukuoka for the women and in and Nagoya for the men. Competing in the round-robin tournament will be six men’s teams and six women’s teams – four continental champions (per gender), a wildcard selection and the host country, Japan. The competition will help determine the World Grand Champion for 2009.

More than one year has passed since the Olympics. The FIVB World Grand Champions Cup 2009 is certainly the biggest competition since the Olympics and the participating teams will challenge with new-look squads. Japan’s men’s and women’s teams will compete with The FIVB World Grand Champions Cup is considered While the Grand Champions Cup is truly an their brand-new nicknames “RYUJIN NIPPON” and “HINOTORI NIPPON” one of the most prestigious Volleyball tournaments in international event of the highest calibre, there is one respectively. “RYUJIN” means “God of Dragon” and “HINOTORI” means the world, and it is hard not to see why. country who might rightfully consider the competition “Phoenix” in Japanese. These nicknames were chosen by fans to support partly its own: Japan. the teams. The world’s best men’s and women’s teams are here in Japan fighting for the title and for $2m in Hosts of the event from day one, the Japanese have We hope that all the players will play to their full abilities throughout the prize money at outstanding facilities in front of the most unfailingly produced world-class tournaments every competition and give hope, dreams and excitement to Volleyball fans all passionate and supportive Volleyball fans in the world. quadrennial and really taken the FIVB World Grand over the world. Furthermore, we hope that the participants will gain lots of Champions Cup into their hearts. experience and cultivate deep friendships through competing with each other. Held between the and World Championships, the FIVB World Grand Champions And so it is from the bottom of my heart that I thank It is said that November is the most brilliant time in Japan, in part due to Cup has been a highly successful and highly the local organizers of this important event for their the leaves turning colour. This autumn, the marvellous FIVB World Grand anticipated addition to the international calendar continued support and success, Nippon Television Champions Cup 2009 will make Japan much more colourful and gorgeous. since its inception in 1993. Network Corporation for their terrific coverage of the matches, and, most importantly, the fans, without Finally, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the FIVB members and That no team has ever defended the cup is a whom none of this would be possible. special thanks to Mr. Jizhong Wei, the FIVB President, for their great effort testament to how challenging a competition it is. and cooperation, and I would also like to extend my gratitude to NTV, the Mr. Jizhong Wei Yomiuri Group, sponsors, local organizers and everyone else concerned for And this year’s tournament promises to be no less FIVB President their massive contribution. dramatic or entertaining, with a few surprise packages (newcomers such as the Thai women and Polish men, Mr. Masao Tachiki for example) prepared to do battle against the more President of the Japan Volleyball Association regular faces at the showcase competition.

2 3 World Grand Champions Cup World Grand Champions Cup www.fivb.org Records/History Records/History

The FIVB World Grand Champions Cup is played every quadrennial in the year immediately following the .

The competition began in 1993 and has been held in Japan each time with great success. This year marks the event’s fifth anniversary, with the Brazilian men’s and women’s teams both returning to defend the titles they won in 2005.

The tournament is one of the FIVB’s most prestigious international competitions, and features six teams in both the men’s and women’s brackets.

The six teams are comprised of four continental champions, an FIVB wild card, and hosts Japan.

The four continental champions are from Continental Federations whose team(s) ranked the highest at the preceding Olympics. The FIVB, NTV and JVA jointly selected the wild-card teams.

Cuba’s Michael Sanchez Bozlueva in full flow

Women’s World Grand Champions Cup History Men’s World Grand Champions Cup History

Nb. of 1993 1997 2001 2005 Nb. of 1993 1997 2001 2005 Countries Countries part. Rank. Rank. Rank. Rank. part. Rank. Rank. Rank. Rank. Brazil 3 – 3 4 1 1 – – 6 – 4 2 4 1 3 1 – 6 – – Cuba 2 1 2 – – Brazil 4 2 1 2 1 Japan 4 4 5 3 5 China 2 – 4 – 6 Korea 3 – 6 6 6 Cuba 3 3 3 1 – 1 6 – – – Egypt 1 – – – 5 Poland 1 – – – 4 Italy 2 1 – – 3 Russia 3 3 1 2 2 Japan 4 4 5 5 4 USA 3 5 – 5 2 Korea 2 6 – 4 – The 1 – 2 – – USA 2 5 – – 2 Yugoslavia 1 – – 3 –

Malika Kanthong is a prolific scorer for Thailand

4 5 World Grand Champions Cup World Grand Champions Cup www.fivb.org Records/History Records/History

Former FIVB President Dr. Ruben Acosta (left) and Mr. Shintaro Kubo, former NTV President, Defending women’s World Grand Champions Brazil present the World Grand Champions Trophy to as Brazil claimed the 2005 men’s title as well

Women’s World Grand Champions Cup Honours Men’s World Grand Champions Cup Honours

Year Host Champions Runners-up 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place Year Host Champions Runners-up 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place

2005 Japan Brazil USA China Poland Japan Korea 2005 Japan Brazil USA Italy Japan Egypt China

2001 Japan China Russia Japan Brazil USA Korea 2001 Japan Cuba Brazil Yugoslavia Korea Japan Argentina

1997 Japan Russia Cuba Brazil China Japan Korea 1997 Japan Brazil Netherlands Cuba China Japan Australia

1993 Japan Cuba China Russia Japan USA Peru 1993 Japan Italy Brazil Cuba Japan USA Korea

6 7 Competition Format www.fivb.org

The competition system for the World Grand In the event that two teams finish level with the Champions Cup for Men & Women is the single same number of points, the tie will be broken by round robin system. points ratio. Women’s Competition

Each team will play five matches, one against each The women’s event will begin in Tokyo (November fellow competitor at the competition. 10-12, 2009) before making its way to Fukuoka Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (November 14-15, 2009). The team rankings during the competition shall be 10 November 2009 determined in accordance with Section I, Article The men’s event will start out in Osaka (November Men’s Competition 8 of the FIVB Sports Regulations for International 18-19, 2009) and finish in Nagoya (November 21-23, 1 THA-ITA 13:00 Volleyball Competitions, which states that wins are 2009). 2 DOM-BRA 15:00 worth 2 points and losses are worth 1 point. 3 JPN-KOR 19:00 Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium 18 November 2009 11 November 2009 1 EGY-IRI 13:30 4 THA-DOM 13:30 2 CUB-BRA 15:30 5 ITA-KOR 15:30 3 JPN-POL 19:00 6 BRA-JPN 19:00 19 November 2009 12 November 2009 4 IRI-BRA 13:30 7 KOR-BRA 13:30 5 POL-CUB 15:30 8 DOM-ITA 15:30 6 EGY-JPN 19:00 9 JPN-THA 19:00 21 November 2009 Marine Messe Fukuoka 7 BRA-POL 12:30 14 November 2009 8 CUB-EGY 14:30 9 JPN-IRI 18:00 10 THA-KOR 12:30 11 ITA-BRA 14:30 12 DOM-JPN 18:00 Nagoya Nippongaishi Hall 22 November 2009 15 November 2009 10 EGY-BRA 12:30 13 BRA-THA 12:30 11 IRI-POL 14:30 14 KOR-DOM 14:30 12 JPN-CUB 18:00 15 JPN-ITA 18:00 23 November 2009

13 CUB-IRI 13:30 14 POL-EGY 15:30 15 BRA-JPN 19:00

8 9 Media Info Media Info www.fivb.org

FIVB New Rule - “Freedom Libero” Terminology The media play a key role in the world of Volleyball FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup and it is the FIVB’s objective that all media have the In order to develop the sport of Volleyball in the best An exchange is the act by which the Reserve Libero best tools and facilities to do their job to their optimal way possible the FIVB Congress in 2008 decided to becomes the Acting Libero (and vice versa). This can capacity. November 17: introduce a new rule, allowing teams to have two occur at the team bench or directly to and from the Press Conference with the coaches of the teams in liberos within their match line-up of 12 players. court, at the discretion of the coach, provided that the Hotel Monterey Grasmere, Osaka (6 pm). This set of rules and reporting protocols have been a there is a completed rally between exchanges. Key Media Opportunities created specifically for the World Grand Champions The number of exchanges is unlimited, and can be November 18-23: Cup 2009 with the results of this showcase event to for illness, injury, sanction, or team performance Mixed Zone and Press Conference after each match be reviewed at meetings of the Coaches’, Refereeing reasons. at the venue. and Rules of the Game Commission in February 2010 FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup before a report is submitted to the FIVB Board of A re-designation is the act by which an injured or Administration in March of the same year. ill Libero, who cannot continue to play, has his/ her November 9: For further information contact: role taken by any other player not on the court at the Press Conference with the coaches of the teams in moment of the re-designation request (except the the Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo (6 pm). Richard Baker Libero’s regular replacement player). This can only FIVB Deputy Communications Director Key Points occur at the team bench. Re-designations are only November 10-15: Phone: +41 79 603 3926 for illness or injury to the Libero. Mixed Zone and Press Conference after each match Email: [email protected] The coach may use on match day whatever at the venue. permutation of Liberos he/ she deems best suits A substitution is the act by which one regular player Hisao Mori the team and match to be played (provided they leaves the court and another regular player takes his/ National Operational Committee Press Director have been registered as Liberos in the final list of her place. There must be a completed rally between Phone: +81 090 7018 4363 12 players). substitution requests. The request may only be Email: [email protected] made when the ball is out of play and before the 1st Liberos may be exchanged by the coach, one for referee’s whistle for service. A team may make six another, for any reason and at any time, including substitutions per set. directly from and to the court, but there must be a completed rally between two Libero exchanges (as A replacement is the act by which a regular player between two Libero replacements). leaves the court and the Libero takes his/ her place. There must be a completed rally between Libero The Liberos will wear different colours from each replacements. The number of replacements is other and from the rest of their team but keep their unlimited, but the Libero may only be replaced by numbers. the player who replaced him/ her.

10 11 Venue Information Venue Information www.fivb.org Women’s Competition Men’s Competition

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium is the competition Built with “harmony with nature” as its concept, Sendagaya venue for the women’s opening matches. The venue Tanaka the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium resembles was one of the sites of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games two green hills from the trees that are planted on its but it has been completely rebuilt since by architect rooftops. It is one of the very few multipurpose facilities Capacity: 10,000 Fumihiko Maki, who gave the gymnasium its futuristic Capacity: 8,200 worldwide that is built completely underground. The design. The venue, which Gymnasium serves as Osaka in addition to Volleyball City’s main entertainment regularly holds figure venue, holding a variety of skating, tennis and other different events not limited sports events, features to sports. state-of-the-art equipment and has a seating capacity of 10,000 seats.

Marine Messe Fukuoka Nagoya Nippon Gaishi Hall The final two days of matches at the 2009 FIVB Nagoya, with a population of over two million, is the Okihama-machi Women’s World Grand Champions Cup will take Higashimatabe-cho core city of Japan’s midlands and has flourished place in Fukuoka, whose geographical advantage as since the Edo era as one of the country’s leading the closest Japanese city to the Korean Peninsula cities. Nagoya is the sister city of Los Angeles and Capacity: 15,000 and China has enabled it to flourish as a center Capacity: 10,000 , and has been active in hosting international for international exchange. events, including numerous As such, the city is replete FIVB competitions. The with convention centers, Nippon Gaishi Hall is best including one of its biggest, known as the site of the the Marine Messe Fukuoka. Nagoya leg of yearly Grand Marine Messe is located Sumo tournaments and on the central pier in the is easily accessible from port of Hakata just 2km from Nagoya Station. the business center, Tenjin. Fukuoka Airport and Hakata Station are also short distances away. The venue is extremely versatile and is host to a range of events from sports to large-scale exhibitions.

12 13 Women’s Participating Teams www.fivb.org

Dates of Competition 10 Nov 13:00 THA-ITA 10 Nov 15:00 DOM-BRA Brazil 10 Nov 19:00 JPN-KOR 11 Nov 13:30 THA-DOM Dom. Republic 11 Nov 15:30 ITA-KOR 11 Nov 19:00 BRA-JPN 12 Nov 13:30 KOR-BRA Italy 12 Nov 15:30 DOM-ITA 12 Nov 19:00 JPN-THA 14 Nov 12:30 THA-KOR Japan 14 Nov 14:30 ITA-BRA 14 Nov 18:00 DOM-JPN Korea 15 Nov 12:30 BRA-THA 15 Nov 14:30 KOR-DOM 15 Nov 18:00 JPN-ITA Thailand

Italy’s will be one to watch

14 15 Women’s Road to Tokyo Women’s Road to Tokyo www.fivb.org Continental Qualification Tournaments

Confederation Date Country Qualified Team 5th-13th September Thailand Norceca 22th-27th September Dominican Republic Europe 25th September-4th October Poland Italy 30th September-4th October Brazil Brazil Wild Card Korea Host Japan

Asia (Vietnam) Final Ranking 1 Thailand Finals for classification 2 China Classification Match 13/14 3 Japan 13.09.09 SRI-INA 1-3 17-25 25-22 17-25 18-25 4 Korea Classification Match 11/12 5 12.09.09 UZB-IND 0-3 21-25 16-25 15-25 6 Chinese Classification Match 9/10 7 Vietnam 12.09.09 AUS-HKG 3-0 25-23 25-18 25-11 8 Iran Classification Match 7/8 9 Australia 13.09.09 VIE-IRI 3-0 25-16 25-16 25-22 10 Hong Kong 11 Classification Match 5/6 12 Uzbekistan 13.09.09 TPE-KAZ 0-3 23-25 21-25 15-25 13 Indonesia Classification Match 3/4 14 Sri Lanka 13.09.09 KOR-JPN 0-3 16-25 15-25 18-25 Classification Match 1/2 13.09.09 CHN-THA 1-3 25-20 19-25 19-25 23-25

NORCECA (Puerto Rico) Final Ranking 1 Dominican Republic Semifinals 2 Puerto Rico 26.09.09 DOM-USA 3-2 21-25 26-24 10-25 25-20 21-19 3 Cuba 26.09.09 CUB-PUR 2-3 25-21 23-25 17-25 25-20 19-21 4 USA 5 Finals 6 27.09.09 USA-CUB 2-3 25-17 25-16 26-28 16-25 11-15 7 Costa Rica 27.09.09 DOM-PUR 3-2 19-25 25-23 16-25 32-30 15-8 8 Trinidad and Tobago

16 17 Women’s Road to Tokyo Women’s Road to Tokyo www.fivb.org Continental Qualification Tournaments

Europe (Poland) Final Ranking 1 Italy Semifinals 2 The Netherlands 03.10.09 NED-POL 3-1 25-11 25-15 20-25 25-20 3 Poland 03.10.09 ITA-GER 3-1 25-10 22-25 25-12 25-22 4 5 Classification Match 3/4 6 Russia 04.10.09 POL-GER 3-0 25-16 25-19 25-23 7 8 9 Final 10 04.10.09 NED-ITA 0-3 16-25 19-25 20-25 11 Belgium 12 13 Slovakia 14 Belarus 16

South America (Brazil) Final Ranking 1 Brazil Semifinals 2 Argentina 03.10.09 PER-ARG 1-3 25-17 23-25 19-25 21-25 3 Perú 03.10.09 BRA-COL 3-0 25-16 25-14 25-6 4 5 Uruguay Finals 6 Venezuela 04.10.09 BRA-ARG 3-0 25-16 25-16 25-22 7 Chile 04.10.09 PER-COL 3-1 25-11 25-21 22-25 25-14 8 Paraguay

18 19 Women’s Competition Schedule Team Profiles www.fivb.org

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium 10 November 2009 Legend for Team Rosters Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Nr = Shirt Number 1 THA-ITA 13:00 H = Height 2 DOM-BRA 15:00 W = Weight 3 JPN-KOR 19:00 S = Spike B = Block 11 November 2009 OG = Olympic Games WC = World Championships Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 OTH = Other Tournaments 4 THA-DOM 13:30 5 ITA-KOR 15:30 6 BRA-JPN 19:00

12 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 7 KOR-BRA 13:30 8 DOM-ITA 15:30 9 JPN-THA 19:00

Marine Messe Fukuoka 14 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 10 THA-KOR 12:30 11 ITA-BRA 14:30 12 DOM-JPN 18:00

15 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 13 BRA-THA 12:30 14 KOR-DOM 14:30 15 JPN-ITA 18:00

Ranking Individual Awards 1 Most Valuable Player 2 Best Scorer Best Spiker 3 Best Blocker 4 Best Server 5 Best Digger 6 Best Libero Karla Echenique is a key player for the Dominican Republic

20 21 List of Honours Brazil Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2005 1 2006 2 1962 8 Brazil has achieved a lot since 2001 4 2002 7 1960 5 took over as coach in 2003. 1997 3 1998 4 1956 11 1994 2 In his first year, the team won gold at the South 1990 7 American Championship and silver at the . 1986 5 1982 8 The following season, Brazil won the World Grand Prix 1978 7 and placed fourth at the Olympic Games. In 2005, they 1974 15 won the , the Grand Prix, the 1970 13 South American Championship, the World Championship Cup and the Courmayeur Tournament. World Grand Prix Olympic Games In 2007, Brazil finished second at the Pan American 2009 1 1999 2 2008 1 Games before winning the South American Championship 2008 1 1998 1 2004 4 2007 5 1996 1 2000 3 in Santiago, Chile to earn the right to play at the World 2006 1 1995 2 1996 3 Cup in Nagoya, Japan. In that competition, the Brazilians 2005 1 1994 1 1992 4 finished in second place, their best result ever at the 2004 1 1993 4 1988 6 tournament. 2003 7 1984 7 2002 4 1980 7 The year 2008 was an exceptional one in the history of 2001 5 Brazilian women’s volleyball. The team won its first Olympic 2000 3 gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, and also finished first in the World Grand Prix and Final Four tournament. World Cup Cont. Championships This year, the Brazilians have won six straight gold 2007 2 2009 1 1981 1 medals, starting with the Montreux Volley Masters in 2007 1 1979 2 2003 2 2005 1 1977 2 June, the Pan-American Cup, the World Championship 1999 3 2003 1 1975 2 2010 Qualification Round, the Final Four, the World 1995 2 2001 1 1973 2 1991 8 1999 1 1971 2 Grand Prix and the South American Championship, the 1997 1 1969 1 tournament that gave the team its berth at the World 1985 6 1995 1 1967 2 Grand Champions Cup. 1981 8 1993 2 1962 1 1973 9 1991 1 1961 1 1989 2 1958 1 1987 2 1956 1 1985 2 1951 1 Coach 1983 2 José Roberto Guimarães (BRA) A former Brazilian national team Team Roster player, José Roberto Guimarães Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club (better known as Zé Roberto) started Team Officials 1 Claudino Fabiana Fabiana 24/01/1985 193 76 314 293 6 14 50 70 UNILEVE his coaching career in 1988. He 2 Takagui Ana Tiemi Ana Tiemi 26/10/1987 187 74 295 284 7 35 42 SOLLYS OSASCO was assistant coach to Brazilian Manager: Jose Elias Proença 3 Lins Danielle C 05/01/1985 181 68 290 276 13 12 25 UNILEVE men’s coach before taking over Coach: José Roberto Guimaraes 4 Pequeno Paula Paula 22/01/1982 184 74 302 285 24 78 102 SOLLYS OSASCO the position himself, guiding the team to gold at the Assistant Coach: Paulo Barros Junior 5 Gattaz Caroline 27/07/1981 191 87 304 280 7 28 35 UNILEVE Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992, gold in the 1993 6 Menezes Thaisa Thaisa 15/05/1987 196 79 316 301 14 46 60 SOLLYS OSASCO FIVB World League, bronze in the 1994 World League, Doctor: Andre Baptista 7 Steinbrecher Marianne Mári 23/08/1983 188 70 310 290 7 9 16 SAO CAETANO silver in the 1995 World League, gold in the 1995 South Trainer/Therapist: Claudio Pinheiro 8 Silva Adenizia Adenizia 18/12/1986 185 63 312 290 6 11 17 SOLLYS OSASCO American Championship, bronze in the 1995 World 9 Pereira Natalia Natália 24/04/1989 183 76 300 288 14 112 126 SOLLYS OSASCO Cup and bronze in the 1996 World League. 10 Gonzaga Welissa Sassá 09/09/1982 179 76 300 287 6 17 63 86 SOLLYS OSASCO 11 Silva Joyce Joyce 13/06/1984 190 67 311 294 6 10 16 UNILEVE Zé Roberto began coaching the Brazilian women’s Match Schedule 12 Martins Natalia N. Martins 12/11/1984 185 69 300 286 4 4 SAO CAETANO national team in 2003. In 2008, he became the first 13 Castro Sheilla Sheilla 01/07/1983 185 64 302 284 16 44 60 SAO CAETANO person in the world to win Olympic gold medals with 10.11 15:00 Tokyo DOM-BRA 14 de Oliveira Fabiana Fabi L 07/03/1980 169 59 276 266 11 35 46 UNILEVE both male and female Volleyball teams. 11.11 19:00 Tokyo BRA-JPN 15 Bidias Regiane Regiane 02/10/1986 189 74 304 286 7 32 39 UNILEVE This year, the team opened its season by winning the 12.11 13:30 Tokyo KOR-BRA 16 Rodrigues Fernanda Fê Garay 10/05/1986 179 74 308 288 PINHEIROS 17 de Souza Josefa Fabiola Fabiola 03/02/1983 184 70 300 285 PINHEIROS Montreux Volley Masters in June for the fifth time, 14.11 14:30 Fukuoka ITA-BRA and have kept on rolling, claiming gold at all five 18 Brait Camila C. Brait L 28/10/1988 170 58 271 256 SOLLYS OSASCO 15.11 12:30 Fukuoka BRA-THA tournaments since. 19 Barbosa Thais Thais 02/03/1980 185 72 292 281 8 8 SOLLYS OSASCO 20 Castro Juliana Juliana 30/06/1985 187 75 310 290 PINHEIROS 22 23 Brazil www.fivb.org

1 Fabiana 2 Ana Tiemi 11 Joyce 12 N. Martins Name: Name: Ana Tiemi Takagui Name: Joyce Silva Name: Natalia Martins Age: 24 Age: 22 Age: 25 Age: 24 Born in: Born in: Nobres Born in: São Paulo Born in: São Paulo Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Position: Universal Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Minas Tenis Clube (Belo Horizonte) in 2000 - Club debut: Minas Tenis Clube (Belo Horizonte ) in Club debut: School (Guarulhos) in 1998 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Lorena Commercial Team (Lorena, São Paulo) in Intl. debut: Youth World Championship (Croacia) in 2001 1997 - Intl. debut: South American Championship Youth World Championship (Pula, Croatia) in 2001 - 1995 - Intl. debut: Pan American Cup (Mexicali and ) in - Hobby: Traveling - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) in 2002 - Lang.: Portuguese Hobby: Volleyball - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: 2008 - Hobby: Being with my boyfriend, my friends, my dog - Food: Lasagna, Movie: Action, Music: Samba - Favourites: Food: Salad, Music: Hip Hop Book: Jorge Amado, Food: Pasta, Movie: Drama, Music: Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Book: Self-help, Food: Pasta, Pop Movie: A little bit of all movies, Other sports: Adventure Running

3 Dani Lins 4 Paula 13 Sheilla 14 Fabi Name: Danielle Lins Name: Name: Name: Fabiana De Oliveira Age: 24 Age: 27 Age: 26 Age: 29 Born in: Recife Born in: Brasilia Born in: Belo Horizonte Born in: Position: Setter Position: Wing spiker Position: Universal Position: Libero Club debut: Scholl (Recife) in 1997 - Intl. debut: Youth Club debut: ASBAC (Brasilia) in 1994 - Intl. debut: Junior Club debut: Mackenzie (Belo Horizonte) in 1997 - Intl. Club debut: Flamengo (Rio de Janeiro) in 1993 - Intl. World Championship (Pula-Croácia) in 2001 - Hobby: World Championship (Edmonton) in 1999 - Hobby: debut: Junior South American Championship (Colômbia) debut: South American Championship (Argentina) in Volleyball - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Book: Singing, dancing - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: in 2000 - Hobby: Volleyball - Lang.: Portuguese, English - 2001 - Hobby: Beach Volleyball - Lang.: Portuguese Drama, Food: Stroganoff, Movie: Drama, Music: Pop Book: O Alquimista, Food: Pizza, Movie: My Best Favourites: Food: Lasagna, Music: Green mile - Favourites: Food: Pasta, Movie: Gladiator, Music: Friend’s Wedding, Music: Brazilian pop music Brazilian pop music, Other sports: Soccer

5 Carol Gattaz 6 Thaisa 15 Regiane 16 Fê Garay Name: Caroline Gattaz Name: Thaisa Menezes Name: Regiane Bidias Name: Fernanda Rodrigues Age: 28 Age: 22 Age: 23 Age: 23 Born in: Sao Jose do Rio Preto Born in: Rio de Janeiro Born in: Piracicaba Born in: - Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Rio Preto Automóvel Clube (Sao José Rio Club debut: Tijuca Tênis Clube (Rio de Janeiro) in 2001 - Club debut: Clube de Campo (Piracicaba) in 1998 - Intl. Lang.: Portuguese Preto) in 1996 - Intl. debut: Junior South American Intl. debut: Youth and Jr South American Championship debut: South American Championship (La Paz, Bolívia) Championship (Brazil) in 1998 - Lang.: Portuguese, (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) in 2002 - Hobby: Swimming - in 2002 - Hobby: Samba - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: English - Favourites: Food: Barbecue, Movie: Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Book: Adventure, Food: Food: Pasta, Movie: Adventure, Music: Samba, Other Macunaima, Music: Samba Pasta, Movie: Adventure, Music: Pop, rock sports: Zico

7 Mári 8 Adenizia 17 Fabiola 18 C. Brait Name: Marianne Steinbrecher Name: Adenizia Silva Name: Josefa Fabiola De Souza Name: Age: 26 Age: 22 Age: 26 Age: 21 Born in: Sao Paulo Born in: Ibiaí Born in: Brasília Born in: - Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: - Position: - Club debut: Maringa (Maringa) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Clube Filadelfia (Minas Gerais) in 1999 -Intl. Lang.: Portuguese Lang.: Portuguese World Grand Prix () in 2004 - Hobby: Dancing - debut: South American Championship (Caracas) in 2002 Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Food: Pasta, Movie: - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Food: Cold Mountain, Music: Pop rock, Other sports: Volleyball Brazilian Food, Movie: Doce novembro, Music: Pop

9 Natália 10 Sassá 19 Thais 20 Juliana Name: Natalia Pereira Name: Welissa Gonzaga Name: Thais Barbosa Name: Juliana Castro Age: 20 Age: 27 Age: 29 Age: 24 Born in: Ponta Grossa Born in: Barbacena Born in: - Born in: - Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: - Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Clube 10 de Maio (Joacaba) in 2003 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Olympic Club (Barbacena) in 1997 - Intl. Lang.: Portuguese Lang.: Portuguese Youth South American Championship (Guayaquil) in 2004 - debut: Junior World Championship () Hobby: Reading, movies - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: in 2001 - Hobby: Playing guitar - Lang.: Portuguese - Book: A casa das 7 Mulheres, Food: Pasta, Movie: Harry Favourites: Book: Diario de um Mago - Paulo Coelho, Potter, Music: Ivete Sangalo, Other sports: Tennis Food: Lasagna, Music: Samba

24 25 List of Honours Dominican Republic Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2006 17 The year 2009 has been a challenging yet extraordinary 2002 13 year for the Dominican Republic women’s national team, 1998 11 with several of the team’s key players injured and junior 1978 19 1974 21 players coming in to fill the gaps. During the VIII Pan American Cup, the Dominicans won Pool A with a 3-0 record and then won come- frombehind, five-set battles against United States and Puerto Rico in the semifinal and final. In the gold-medal contest, they survived five-match points in the fourth set before prevailing 32-30. World Grand Prix Olympic Games 2009 11 2004 11 The team was the subject of many accolades and 2008 9 recognition after arriving home following the Pan 2007 11 American victory. The players were called “Queens of 2006 8 Volleyball” by the local media who noted that the win 2005 11 capped the completion of a Golden Regional Cycle 2004 12 of titles won at the Central American and Caribbean Games, , Pan American Cup and the NORCECA Continental. Now everything is focused on the World Grand Champions Cup and preparing for the 2010 Women’s World Cup Cont. Championships World Championship in Japan, after the Dominicans 2007 9 2009 1 1989 5 became the first team to qualify for the Final Round. 2003 10 2007 3 1985 5 2005 3 1983 6 2003 3 1981 5 2001 3 1979 5 1999 4 1977 4 Coach 1997 3 1975 5 1995 4 1973 5 (BRA) 1993 6 Dominican women’s national team 1991 5 coach Marcos Kwiek enters the 2009 FIVB Grand Champions Cup with optimism after his team’s goldmedal Team Roster victory at the 2009 NORCECA Continental Championship to qualify for this important Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club event for the first time. Team Officials 1 Vargas Valdez Annerys Vargas 07/08/1981 194 70 325 315 5 19 176 200 Seleccion Nacional 2 Burgos Herrera Dahiana Burgos 07/04/1985 180 70 305 312 67 67 Seleccion Nacional “Our goal at the 2009 FIVB Grand Champions Cup will be Manager: Ruben Andisin 3 Eve Mejia Lisvel Elisa Eve 10/09/1991 189 70 250 287 15 73 88 Deportivo Nacional to finish among the top four teams,” the Brazilian said. Coach: Marcos Kwiek 4 Fersola Norberto Marianne Fersola 16/01/1992 180 60 240 287 22 17 39 Mirador 5 Castillo L 05/06/1992 167 55 220 270 7 96 103 San Cristobal Achievements at recent international competitions Assistant Coach: Wagner Pacheco 6 Caso Sierra Carmen Rosa Caso 29/11/1981 168 59 243 241 5 17 163 185 Arlenis Cordero include: Doctor: Milciades Albert 7 Marte Frica Niverka Dharlenis Marte 19/10/1990 178 71 233 283 15 36 51 Deportivo Nacional Trainer/Therapist: Wilson Sanchez 2009 China International Tournament: 2nd place 8 Arias Perez Candida Estefany Arias 11/03/1992 191 68 295 301 14 16 30 San Cristobal 9 Moreno Martinez Erasma Moreno 25/11/1991 183 75 289 304 8 8 Monte Plata 2009 VIII Women’s Pan American Cup: Silver medal 10 Cabral de la Cruz C 17/10/1978 181 63 308 305 5 16 341 362 Los Cachorros 11 Rodriguez Santos Jeoselyna Rodriguez 09/12/1991 184 63 242 288 15 56 71 Mirador 2010 World Championship Qualification Tournament: Match Schedule 12 Echenique Karla Echenique 16/05/1986 181 62 279 273 17 163 180 Deportivo Nacional Gold medal 13 Concepcion Contreras Marisol Concepcion 10/11/1991 191 75 310 315 7 7 Monte Plata 2009 II Final Four Cup: Silver medal 10.11 15:00 Tokyo DOM-BRA 14 Rivera Brens Prisilla Rivera 29/12/1984 186 70 312 308 5 18 185 208 San Pedro 11.11 13:30 Tokyo THA-DOM 15 Dominguez Martinez Camil Dominguez 07/12/1991 176 75 232 275 15 11 26 Mirador 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix: 11th place Inmaculada 12.11 15:30 Tokyo DOM-ITA 16 Rodriguez Marifranchi Rodriguez 29/08/1990 184 68 310 300 15 26 41 Mirador 2009 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship: 14.11 18:00 Fukuoka DOM-JPN 17 Mambru Altagracia Mambru 21/01/1986 180 55 312 302 105 105 Los Cachorros Gold medal and qualification for the 2009 Grand 15.11 14:30 Fukuoka KOR-DOM 18 Ramirez Espinal Yeniffer Cristina Ramirez 17/03/1993 183 67 285 289 8 6 14 Mirador Champions Cup 19 Binet Stephens Ana Yorkira Binet 09/02/1992 174 62 267 288 22 22 44 Samana

26 27 Dominican Republic www.fivb.org

1 Vargas 2 Burgos 11 Rodriguez 12 Echenique Name: Annerys Vargas Valdez Name: Dahiana Burgos Herrera Name: Jeoselyna Rodriguez Santos Name: Karla Echenique Age: 28 Age: 24 Age: 17 Age: 23 Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santo Domingo Position: Middle blocker Position: - Position: - Position: Setter Club debut: Simon Bolivar (Santo Domingo) in 1996 Club debut: Seleccion Nacional (Santo Domingo) in Club debut: Mirador (Dominican Republic) in 2002 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Deportivo Nacional (Santo Domingo) in 2000 - Intl. - Intl. debut: World Championship (Japan) in 1998 - 1999 - Intl. debut: Continental Girls Youth Championship Junior National Volleyball Championship (Cuba) in 2006 - Hobby: debut: 2002 Norceca Girls Youth Continental Championship Hobby: Dancing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: (Salt Lake City, Utah) in 2002 - Hobby: Dancing - Lang.: Talking on the telephone - Lang.: Spanish, English - Favourites: (Salt Lakes City, Utah) in 2002 - Hobby: Basketball - Lang.: Literature, Food: Dominican, Movie: Action, Music: Tito Spanish - Favourites: Book: The Bible, Food: Dominican, Book: Romeo and Juliet, Food: Fast food, Movie: Massacre in Spanish, English - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Italian , Rojas, Other sports: Basketball Movie: Action, Music: El Jeffrey, Other sports: Baseball Texas, Music: The 5th Station, Other sports: Gymnastics Movie: Romance, Music: The Beattles, Other sports: Basketball

3 Eve 4 Fersola 13 Concepcion 14 Rivera Name: Lisvel Elisa Eve Mejia Name: Marianne Fersola Norberto Name: Marisol Concepcion Contreras Name: Prisilla Rivera Brens Age: 18 Age: 17 Age: 18 Age: 24 Born in: Puerto Plata Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Monte Plata Born in: Santo Domingo Position: - Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Intl. debut: Junior National Volleyball Championchip Club debut: Mirador - Intl. debut: NORCECA Girls Youth Club debut: Monte Plata - Intl. debut: FIVB Women’s Club debut: San Pedro (Dominican Republic) in 1998 - (Cuba) in 2006 - Hobby: Dancing, music - Lang.: Spanish (Gainesville, Florida) in 2006 - Hobby: Dancing - Lang.: Junior World Championship (Mexico) in 2009 - Hobby: Intl. debut: NORCECA Continental Youth Championship - Favourites: Book: El Principito - Richard Barch, Food: Spanish - Favourites: Book: Juventud & Extasis II, Food: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: La Obra (Salt Lake City, Utah) in 2001 - Hobby: Movies - Lang.: Chicken and fried potatoes, Movie: Spiderman 2 & 3, Music: McDonalds, Movie: Mysteries, Music: Salsa, Other Maria, Food: Chinese, Movie: Romance, Music: Soft Spanish - Favourites: Book: History, Food: Dominican, Reggaeton - Wissin and Yandel, Other sports: Basketball sports: Basketball music, Other sports: Volleyball, baseball Movie: Comedies, Music: Salsa, Other sports: Basketball

5 Castillo 6 Caso 15 Dominguez 16 Rodriguez Name: Brenda Castillo Name: Carmen Rosa Caso Sierra Name: Camil Inmaculada Dominguez Martinez Name: Marifranchi Rodriguez Age: 17 Age: 27 Age: 17 Age: 19 Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santo Domingo Position: - Position: Libero Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Club debut: San Cristobal (San Cristobal) in 2003 - Intl. Club debut: Arlenis Cordero (Santo Domingo) in Club debut: Mirador - Hobby: Going out with friends, Club debut: Mirador (Santo Domingo) in 2003 - Hobby: debut: China Int. Women’s VB Tournament (China) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Junior World Championship (Santo dancing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: Da Vinci Dancing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: Ciudad 2007 - Hobby: Singing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Domingo) in 2001 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Code, Food: Italian, Movie: Romantic comedies & de Summer, Food: American, Movie: La Vida es bella, Book: Harry Porter, Food: Dominican, Movie: Comic, Favourites: Book: History, Food: Dominican, Movie: drama, Music: Salsa, Soft music & R&B, Other sports: Music: Pop, Other sports: Volleyball Music: Reggae, Other sports: Basketball Mysteries, Music: Mana, Other sports: Baseball Basketball

7 Marte 8 Arias 17 Mambru 18 Ramirez Name: Niverka Dharlenis Marte Frica Name: Candida Estefany Arias Perez Name: Altagracia Mambru Name: Yeniffer Cristina Ramirez Espinal Age: 19 Age: 17 Age: 23 Age: 16 Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: San Cristobal Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Santiago Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: - Position: Setter Club debut: Deportivo Nacional - Intl. debut: NORCECA Girls Club debut: San Cristobal - Intl. debut: FIVB Women’s Club debut: Cachorros (Santo Domingo) in 2001 - Intl. Club debut: Mirador - Intl. debut: FIVB Women’s Junior Youth (Gainesville, Florida) in 2006 - Hobby: Internet surfing, Junior World Championship (Thailand) in 2007 - Hobby: debut: NORCECA Youth Continental Champ. (Utah) in 2002 World Championship (Thailand) in 2007 - Hobby: Music, music - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: A la orilla del rio Going to the beach - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: La - Hobby: Dancing, singing and being with friends - Lang.: dancing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: The piedras me sente y llore, Food: Platains with cheese, Movie: Fantasma Higuey, Food: Seafood, Movie: Action, Music: Spanish - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Dominican, Alquimist, Food: Paella, Movie: Terror & Action, Music: Gladiator, Music: Foreign, Other sports: Volleyball, swimming Soft music, Bachata, Other sports: Basketball, baseball Movie: Romantic, Music: Reggae, Other sports: Basketball Reagae, Other sports: Basketball, swimming

9 Moreno 10 Cabral 19 Binet Name: Erasma Moreno Martinez Name: Milagros Cabral De La Cruz Name: Ana Yorkira Binet Stephens Age: 17 Age: 31 Age: 17 Born in: Yamasa Born in: Santo Domingo Born in: Sanchez Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Libero Club debut: Monte Plata - Intl. debut: FIVB Women’s Club debut: Los Cachorros (Santo Domingo) in 1993 - Intl. Club debut: Samana - Intl. debut: NORCECA Girls Youth Junior World Championship (Mexico) in 2009 - Hobby: debut: NORCECA Youth Continental Champ. (Arecibo, (Gainesville, Florida) in 2006 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Studying - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: La Puerto Rico) in 1994 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Spanish - Favourites: Book: Juan Bosch, Food: Seafood, Mañosa - Juan Bosch, Food: Pizza, Movie: Mysteries, Favourites: Book: History, Food: Italian, Movie: Action, Movie: Mysteries, Music: Salsa, Other sports: Cycling Music: Reaggae, Other sports: Baseball Music: Juan Luis Guerra & 440, Other sports: Baseball

28 29 List of Honours Italy Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2006 4 Volleyball is the most practiced women’s sport in Italy 2002 1 and FIPAV (the Italian Volleyball Federation) can count 1998 5 on more than 100,000 registered athletes. 1994 13 1990 10 This popularity is paying off at international level. 1986 9 1982 15 In 2009, the Italians won the Mediterranean Games and 1978 20 the European Championships, a year after taking bronze at the World Grand Prix and 5th place at the Beijing Olympics. In 2007 the Italian women’s team won two gold medal World Grand Prix Olympic Games – at the FIVB World Cup and European Championships 2008 3 1994 8 2008 5 – and bronze at the FIVB World Grand Prix. 2007 3 2004 5 2006 3 2000 9 The previous year they claimed bronze at the World 2005 2 Grand Prix and in 2005 gathered two silver medals at 2004 2 the World Grand Prix and European Championships. 2003 5 2000 7 It has been a rapid improvement from the Italians, which 1999 4 was triggered by the project behind qualifying for their 1998 5 first Olympics in 2000. 1997 7 In order to reach this goal, the Italian Volleyball Federation worked out a project called «Club Italia» with World Cup Cont. Championships the aim of creating the right conditions for six “girls in 2007 1 2009 1 1989 3 blue” to develop their technique to the highest level. 2003 4 2007 1 1987 6 1999 7 2005 2 1985 5 In relation to this, FIPAV requested the organization of 2003 6 1983 7 the 1999 women’s European Championships in Rome, 2001 2 1981 8 where the Italians finished third. 1999 3 1977 11 1997 5 1975 9 Before that, the best performances at international level 1995 6 1971 8 were third position at the 1989 European Championships 1993 4 1967 11 in Germany and fifth place at the 1998 FIVB World 1991 4 1951 6 Championships in Japan. Team Roster Coach Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club (ITA) Team Officials 1 Pincerato Giulia Pincerato 16/03/1987 182 68 294 279 1 1 Rebecchi Lupa Piacenza Massimo Barbolini was born in 2 Barcellini Cristina Barcellini 20/11/1986 185 64 307 292 Asystel Novara Modena on August 29, 1964. Manager: Stefano Sciascia 3 Sirressi Immacolata Sirressi 19/05/1990 174 63 284 260 Asystel Coach: Massimo Barbolini 4 Crisanti Lucia Crisanti 16/03/1986 186 70 312 392 1 1 Yamamay He began his coaching career with Assistant Coach: 5 Rondon 16/10/1987 189 77 304 280 8 8 Rebecchi Lupa men’s teams, eventually working his 6 Merlo 28/12/1988 170 60 281 262 Foppapedretti way up to assistant to head coach at Doctor: Fabrizio Ferrazza 7 Guiggi 01/05/1984 183 69 315 290 10 90 100 Scavolini Pesaro Panini Modena. Trainer/Therapist: Luca Nocentini 8 Barazza 24/07/1981 188 77 300 285 5 70 75 Asystel He later became head coach of Agrigento and 9 Secolo 22/02/1977 180 70 302 279 5 21 26 MG Carnaghi Villa Cortese Modena. 10 Cardullo L 18/03/1982 162 56 275 268 11 98 109 MG Carnaghi Villa Cortese 11 Ortolani 07/01/1987 187 63 308 288 10 38 48 Foppapedretti Barbolini first coached a women’s team in 1993-1994, Match Schedule 12 Piccinini 10/01/1979 180 75 304 279 5 19 227 251 Foppapedretti Bergamo when he took the reins at Matera, where he remained 13 Arrighetti 26/01/1985 185 62 294 280 2 2 Foppapedretti Bergamo for three seasons. In 1996-1997 he went to Rome 10.11 13:00 Tokyo THA-ITA 14 Lo Bianco C 22/12/1979 172 70 287 273 5 29 233 267 Foppapedretti Bergamo before joining Perugia. 11.11 15:30 Tokyo ITA-KOR 15 Del Core 05/11/1980 180 73 296 279 5 37 42 Foppapedretti 12.11 15:30 Tokyo DOM-ITA 16 Bosetti 09/07/1989 176 59 306 286 Foppapedretti In June 2007 Barbolini became head coach of the 17 Gioli Simona Gioli 17/09/1977 185 72 307 283 8 105 113 Dinamo Women’s National Team, which he helped win the 14.11 14:30 Fukuoka ITA-BRA 18 Aguero Taismary Aguero 05/03/1977 177 69 322 300 MG Carnaghi Villa Cortese 2007 World Cup and the 2007 and 2009 European 15.11 18:00 Fukuoka JPN-ITA 19 Marcon Francesca Marcon 09/07/1983 180 65 301 282 Zoppas Indistries Championships. 20 Ravetta Monica Ravetta 29/08/1985 185 66 305 285 86 86 Linkem Club Italia 30 31 Italy www.fivb.org

1 Pincerato 2 Barcellini 11 Ortolani 12 Piccinini Name: Giulia Pincerato Name: Cristina Barcellini Name: Serena Ortolani Name: Francesca Piccinini Age: 22 Age: 22 Age: 22 Age: 30 Born in: Dolo Born in: Novara Born in: Ravenna Born in: Pietrasanta Position: Setter Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Sartori Padova (Padova) in 2001 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Sanmartinese (Novara) in 2000 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Teodora (Ravenna) in 2000 - Intl. debut: 8 Club debut: San Carlo Borromeo in 1985 - Intl. debut: 8 Nations tournament in 2002 - Lang.: Italian, English Volley Masters (Montreux) in 2009 - Lang.: Italian, Nations tournament (Germany) in 2002 - Lang.: Italian in 1995 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Italian, English - English Favourites: Book: Paolo coelho, Food: Sushi, Movie: Sean Connery, Music: Tracy Chapman

3 Sirressi 4 Crisanti 13 Arrighetti 14 Lo Bianco Name: Immacolata Sirressi Name: Lucia Crisanti Name: Valentina Arrighetti Name: Eleonora Lo Bianco Age: 19 Age: 23 Age: 24 Age: 29 Born in: Santeramo in Colle Born in: Foligno Born in: Genova Born in: Borgomanero Position: Libero Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Club debut: Volley Santeramo (Santeramo) in 2003 - Intl. Club debut: Trevi (Trevi) in 2001 - Intl. debut: 8 Nations Club debut: Genova in 1998 - Intl. debut: 8 Nations Club debut: Brums Busto Arsizio (Busto Arsizio) in 1988 debut: 8 Nations tournament in 2006 - Lang.: Italian tournament (Germany) in 2002 - Lang.: Italian tournament (Netherlands) in 2000 - Lang.: Italian - Intl. debut: in 1997 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Italian, English - Favourites: Book: Ken Follet, Food: Pizza, Movie: Brad Pitt, Music: Celine Dion, Other sports: Tennis

5 Rondon 6 Merlo 15 Del Core 16 Bosetti Name: Giulia Rondon Name: Enrica Merlo Name: Antonella Del Core Name: Lucia Bosetti Age: 22 Age: 20 Age: 29 Age: 20 Born in: Pisa Born in: Monselice Born in: Napoli Born in: Genova Position: Setter Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Volley Pisa (Pisa) in 2001 - Intl. debut: Volley Club debut: Megius (Padova) in 2003 - Intl. debut: Volley Club debut: Centro Ester (Napoli) in 1994 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Amatori Orago (Orago) in 2000 - Intl. debut: Masters (Montreux) in 2009 - Lang.: Italian Masters (Montreux) in 2009 - Lang.: Italian, English Youth World Championship (Chang Mai, Thailand) in Youth World Championship () in 2005 - Lang.: 1997 - Lang.: Italian, English Italian

7 Guiggi 8 Barazza 17 Gioli 18 Aguero Name: Martina Guiggi Name: Jenny Barazza Name: Simona Gioli Name: Taismary Aguero Age: 25 Age: 28 Age: 32 Age: 32 Born in: Pisa Born in: Conegliano Born in: Rapallo Born in: Santi Spiritus, Cuba Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Opposite spiker Club debut: Volley Pecciolese (Peccioli) in 1997 - Intl. Club debut: Volley Codognè (Codognè) in 1993 - Intl. Intl. debut: Italy-Cuba (Arezzo, Italy) in 1998 - Lang.: Club debut: Cuba - Intl. debut: World Grand Prix debut: in 2002 - Lang.: Italian, English - Favourites: Food: debut: in 1996 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Italian, English Italian, English (Verona) in 2007 - Lang.: Italian, Spanish Pizza, Movie: Scary Movie, Music: All - Favourites: Book: L’Archimista, Food: Pizza, Movie: Last Beautiful Mind, Music: R&B, pop, Other sports: Basketball

9 Secolo 10 Cardullo 19 Marcon 20 Ravetta Name: Manuela Secolo Name: Paola Cardullo Name: Francesca Marcon Name: Monica Ravetta Age: 32 Age: 27 Age: 26 Age: 24 Born in: Treviso Born in: Omegna Born in: Conegliano Born in: Pavia Position: Wing spiker Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Treviso in 1990 - Lang.: Italian, English Club debut: Volley Omegna (Omegna) in 1993 - Intl. Club debut: Zoppas Industries (Conegliano) - Intl. debut: Intl. debut: Piemonte Woman Cup (Turin) in 2009 - Lang.: debut: in 2001 - Lang.: Italian, English - Favourites: Food: Volley Masters (Montreux) in 2009 - Lang.: Italian, Italian, English PIzza, Movie: The Others, Music: All, Other sports: English Soccer

32 33 List of Honours Japan Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2005 5 2006 6 1967 1 After the team’s participation in the 2008 Beijing 2001 3 2002 13 1962 1 Olympics, the Japan Volleyball Association took quick 1997 5 1998 8 1960 2 1993 4 1994 7 measures to build a new squad aimed at reaching and 1990 8 being successful at the 2012 Olympics. 1986 7 Masayoshi Manabe, who heads the Japan champion 1982 4 1978 2 , was appointed new coach of the 1974 1 Japanese women’s national team, taking over from 1970 2 Shoichi Yanagimoto.

Yanagimoto led the team since February 2003 and guided World Grand Prix Olympic Games Japan to two Olympics: 2004 and Beijing 2008. 2009 6 1999 7 2008 5 Manabe started with the team in April 2009 and will 2008 6 1998 7 2004 5 2007 9 1997 4 1996 9 remain until 2012. 2006 6 1996 8 1992 5 He invited fewer than 30 players to the inaugural training 2005 5 1995 7 1988 4 2004 9 1994 4 1984 3 camp. The roster comprised youngsters and veterans alike, 2003 9 1993 6 1976 1 including seven Olympians such as , top 2002 5 1972 2 setter and former captain, , top libero, Megumi 2001 6 1968 2 Kurihara, and new captain Erika Araki. 2000 8 1964 1 Japan reached the Final Six of the 2009 World Grand Prix and most recently won bronze at the 2009 Asian World Cup Cont. Championships Championship. 2007 7 2009 3 2003 5 2007 1 Japan used to be a powerhouse in women’s Volleyball, 1999 6 2005 3 and it will be the challenge of Manabe’s squad to put 1995 6 2003 2 in some unforgettable performances at the FIVB World 1991 7 2001 4 Grand Champions Cup, one of the most prestigious 1989 4 1999 3 events on the FIVB Volleyball calendar. 1985 4 1997 3 1981 2 1995 3 1977 1 1993 2 Coach 1973 2 1991 2 Masayoshi Manabe (JPN) As a setter on Japan’s men’s team, Team Roster Masayoshi Manabe participated in many international events, including Team Officials Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club the 1988 Olympics. 1 Kurihara 31/07/1984 187 68 308 295 12 7 122 141 Pioneer Red Wings 2 Kawai Yuki Kawai 22/01/1990 169 63 280 275 6 40 46 JT Marvelous He got his first taste of coaching in 1993 at Nippon Manager: Mrs. Yuko Arakida 3 Takeshita Yoshie Takeshita 18/03/1978 159 52 280 270 12 7 232 251 JT Marvelous Steel Blazers (the predecessor of Sakai Blazers), Coach: Masayoshi Manabe 4 Inoue Kaori Inoue 21/10/1982 182 59 304 296 11 11 when he led the team as a player-coach until 1999. Assistant Coach: Kiyoshi Abo 5 Mori Kazuyo Mori 21/06/1976 175 64 294 291 4 4 OKAYAMA Seagulls Under his leadership, the team became back-to-back 6 Sano Yuko Sano 26/07/1979 159 54 260 250 6 12 97 115 Hisamitsu Springs V-League champions in 1996 and 1997. From 1999 to Doctor: Hiroshi Yamaguchi 7 Okano Hiroko Okano 25/05/1976 167 58 280 276 7 7 OKAYAMA Seagulls 2005, Manabe focused on his career as a player and Trainer/Therapist: Gen Kawakita 8 Ishikawa Yuki Ishikawa 26/04/1987 180 70 302 285 7 22 29 JT Marvelous moved from team to team. 9 Ishida Mizuho Ishida 22/01/1988 174 65 301 275 19 19 Hisamitsu Springs 10 Shoji Yuki Shoji 19/11/1981 182 67 311 296 43 43 Since his retirement as a player in 2005, Manabe has 11 Araki Erika Araki C 03/08/1984 186 80 312 295 6 7 97 110 Toray Arrows been head coach of Hisamitsu Springs, who won the Match Schedule 12 Kimura Saori Saori 19/08/1986 185 66 298 293 12 7 135 154 Toray Arrows V-Premier League in 2006-2007. 13 Kano Maiko Kano 15/07/1988 184 68 305 290 11 11 Hisamitsu Springs The Japanese women’s team is aiming to medal at the 10.11 19:00 Tokyo JPN-KOR 14 Taniguchi Masami Taniguchi 17/09/1976 177 62 302 292 JT Marvelous 2012 London Olympics under the powerful leadership 11.11 19:00 Tokyo BRA-JPN 15 Tominaga Koyomi Tominaga 01/05/1989 175 67 303 285 4 4 Pioneer Red Wings of Manabe. 12.11 19:00 Tokyo JPN-THA 16 Inoue Kotoe Kotoe 15/02/1990 161 55 285 270 JT Marvelous 17 Yamaguchi 03/07/1983 176 63 300 292 OKAYAMA Seagulls In order to secure a place on the podium at the World 14.11 18:00 Fukuoka DOM-JPN 18 Sakashita Maiko Sakashita 25/02/1985 180 74 303 290 7 7 JT Marvelous Grand Champions Cup, Manabe started the team’s 15.11 18:00 Fukuoka JPN-ITA 19 Hamaguchi Kanari Hamaguchi 29/08/1985 167 59 283 265 11 11 Toray Arrows training camp well in advance of the tournament. 20 Oyama Shuka Shuka 25/09/1980 182 70 315 295 7 20 27 Hisamitsu Springs 34 35 Japan www.fivb.org

1 Kurihara 2 Kawai 11 Araki 12 Saori Name: Megumi Kurihara Name: Yuki Kawai Name: Erika Araki Name: Saori Kimura Age: 25 Age: 19 Age: 25 Age: 23 Born in: Born in: Oita Prefecture Born in: Okayama Born in: Saitama Position: Wing spiker Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Shikagawa Volleyball Club (Hiroshima) in 1995 Club debut: Fujiwara Fairies (Oita) in 1996 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Kurashiki-II-fukuda VBC (Kurashiki) in 1995 Club debut: Akikawa JVC (Tokyo) in 1994 - Intl. debut: in - Intl. debut: Asian Youth Championship in 2001 - Hobby: Asian Youth Championship in 2005 - Hobby: Music - - Intl. debut: in 2003 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Japanese 2004 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Music, karaoke - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Japanese , Movie: Book: Magazines, Food: Pasta, Movie: Japanese movie Non-fiction, novels, Food: Japanese, pasta, meat, Movie: Western, pasta, meat, fruit, Movie: Comedies, Music: Love stories, Music: Japanese pops / Miriya Kato, «NANA», love stories, Music: Japanese pops / Miriya Love stories, Music: R&B, Other sports: Hide Nakata EXILE, Other sports: Ichiro m-flo, Other sports: Soccer, Tennis (Rafael Nadal) Kato, Other sports: Soccer

3 Takeshita 4 Inoue 13 Kano 14 Taniguchi Name: Yoshie Takeshita Name: Kaori Inoue Name: Maiko Kano Name: Masami Taniguchi Age: 31 Age: 27 Age: 21 Age: 33 Born in: Fukuoka Born in: Hyogo Born in: Tokyo Born in: Miyazaki Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Hagigaoka VBC (Fukuoka) in 1986 - Intl. Club debut: Fukuzumi Girls Volleyball Club (Hyogo) in Club debut: Osawa Sports Club (Tokyo) in 1998 - Intl. Club debut: Otuka Sports Club (Miyazaki) - Intl. debut: in debut: World Grand Champions Cup (Japan) in 1997 - 1991 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Magazines, debut: Friendship Match in 2002 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: 1999 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Food: Japanese, Movie: Ghibli, Music: Namie Amuro, Japanese - Favourites: Book: History, magazines, Food: Food: Japanese , Music: aiko Japanese, Western, pasta, seafood, Movie: Comedies, Other sports: Mao Asada Japanese, meat, Movie: Love stories, comedies, Music: Music: Pop Mr. Children, Other sports: Baseball, bowling

5 Mori 6 Sano 15 Tominaga 16 Kotoe Name: Kazuyo Mori Name: Yuko Sano Name: Koyomi Tominaga Name: Kotoe Inoue Age: 33 Age: 30 Age: 20 Age: 19 Born in: Gifu Prefecture Born in: Osaka Born in: Tokyo Born in: Kyoto Position: Middle blocker Position: Libero Position: Setter Position: - Club debut: Ishitu Sports Club (Gifu) - Hobby: Music Club debut: Unichika (Osaka) in 1989 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Komae Seven (Tokyo) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Ryogaoka Sports Club (Kyoto) in 1999 - - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Championships in 2002 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Asian Junior Championship in 2006 - Hobby: Movies - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Food: Pasta, meat, Music: Pasta, Movie: Comedies, Music: Namie Amuro, JUJU, Book: Magazines, Food: Pasta, Movie: Love stories, Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Exile, GReeeeN, Other sports: Basketball AI, Other sports: Kei Igarashi comedies, Music: Japanese pops, Other sports: Ichiro, Japanese , Movie: Comedies, Music: Pop songs / Juju, Shunsuke Nakamura Other sports: Volleyball, baseball (Ichiro), soccer

7 Okano 8 Ishikawa 17 Yamaguchi 18 Sakashita Name: Hiroko Okano Name: Yuki Ishikawa Name: Mai Yamaguchi Name: Maiko Sakashita Age: 33 Age: 22 Age: 26 Age: 24 Born in: Ehime Born in: Saitama Born in: Mie Born in: Hyogo Prefecture Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Minamikodatuno Sports Club (Ishikawa) Club debut: Ageo Stars (Saitama) in 1998 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Wagu Sports Club (Mie) in 1993 - Hobby: Club debut: Naruokita Clubl (Hyogo) in 1993 - Intl. debut: 24th in 1986 - Hobby: Playing piano - Lang.: Japanese - in 2006 - Hobby: Movies, shopping - Lang.: Japanese - Knitting, cooking - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Universiade 2007 - Hobby: Comedy programs - Lang.: Favourites: Book: Novels, magazines, Food: Pasta, Favourites: Book: Mystery novels, Food: Western food, Book: Novels, Food: Pasta, Movie: Comedies, Music: Japanese, English - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Japanese, Movie: Comedies, Music: Angela Aki, Other sports: pasta, sweets, Movie: Comedies, Music: Western, Tohoshinki, Exile, Other sports: Figure skating, Ichiro Movie: Love stories, comedies, Music: Japanese pops / Kaera Track and field, figure skating Other sports: Tomoaki Kanemoto Kimura, Other sports: Volleyball, basketball, Kuji Fujikawa

9 Ishida 10 Shoji 19 Hamaguchi 20 Shuka Name: Mizuho Ishida Name: Yuki Shoji Name: Kanari Hamaguchi Name: Shuka Oyama Age: 21 Age: 27 Age: 24 Age: 29 Born in: Gunma Prefecture Born in: Hokkaido Born in: Nagasaki Born in: China Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Yoshida Girls’ Volleyball Team (Gunma) in 1996 Club debut: in 1995 - Intl. debut: in 2007 - Hobby: Music, Club debut: Yuki Tachibana Club (Nagasaki) in 1994 Club debut: Sumanoura (Hyogo) in 1998 - Intl. debut: - Intl. debut: Asian Junior Championship in 2006 - Hobby: reading - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Fiction, - Intl. debut: World Grand Prix 2009 in 2009 - Hobby: in 2006 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Japanese, Chinese Movies - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Magazines, history, Food: Japanese, pasta, seafood, meat, Movie: Music - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Poetry, - Favourites: Food: Fruit, Movie: Jackie Chan movies, Food: Western food, pasta, Movie: Love stories, comedies, Love stories, comedies, Animation, Music: Japanese Food: Pasta, seafood, Movie: Love stories, Music: Music: Japanese pops, Other sports: Track & Field Music: AI, MINMI, Other sports: Baseball pops, Exile, Other sports: Baseball, sumo wrestling Reggae / lecca Metis, Other sports: Ichiro

36 37 List of Honours Korea Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2005 6 2006 13 The Korean women’s national team hopes to end one 2001 6 2002 6 of its most disappointing years in recent memory by 1997 6 1998 9 finishing the final international event on the Volleyball 1994 4 1990 5 calendar on a high note. 1986 8 A solitary victory over Puerto Rico was the only 1982 7 consolation for Korea at the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix 1978 4 1974 3 as it flopped to a 1-8 record and last place in its first 1967 3 appearance at that tournament since 2006.

Though the team qualified for the 2010 World World Grand Prix Olympic Games Championships by winning all three of its matches at 2009 12 1996 6 2004 5 the Asian Qualification Tournament in Chinese Taipei, 2006 9 1995 5 2000 8 it finished fourth at the 2009 Asian Championship after 2005 9 1994 5 1996 6 an agonizing defeat to Japan that disappointed many 2004 11 1993 5 1988 8 Korean Volleyball fans. 2003 6 1984 5 2001 7 1976 3 Head coach Lee Sung-Hee has resigned and been 2000 5 1972 4 replaced by the experienced tactician Ryu Hoa-Suk, 1999 6 1968 5 who guided the team to silver at the 2002 1998 6 1964 6 in , Korea. 1997 3 Along with coach Ryu, some familiar faces are back with the Korean team. Long-time national team setter World Cup Cont. Championships Kim Sa-Nee has returned and will lead the squad as 2007 8 2009 4 team captain. Wing spiker Hwang Youn-Joo and Han 2003 9 2007 4 Song-Yi have both recovered from injury and are back 1999 4 2005 4 1995 5 2003 3 in the lineup. 1991 6 2001 2 On the other end of the age spectrum, high school girl 1989 7 1999 2 Park Jeong-Ah (185cm, born in 1993) has received her 1985 7 1997 2 1981 5 1995 2 first national-team call-up. She joins fellow teenager 1977 3 1993 3 Kim Hee-Jin (186cm, born in 1991), who joined the 1973 3 1991 3 national team earlier this year.

Coach Team Roster Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club Ryu Hoa-Suk (KOR) Team Officials 1 Han Yoo-Mi Y.M. Han 05/02/1982 180 65 307 297 20 44 64 Hyundai Ryu Hoa-Suk was born on August 3, 2 Yeum Hye-Seon H.S. Yeum 03/02/1991 177 65 302 291 20 20 Hyundai 1952 in Jeollanam Province, Korea. Manager: Hyun-sam Shin 3 Si Eun-Mi E.M. Si 03/07/1990 176 67 287 282 GS Caltex Ryu, a graduate of Myongji University, Coach: Hoa-suk Ryu 4 Kim Sa-Nee S.N. Kim C 21/06/1981 180 75 302 292 8 20 129 157 KT&G is married and has two sons. Assistant Coach: Gi-ju Park 5 Kim Hae-Ran H.R. Kim 16/03/1984 168 60 280 270 9 48 57 Korea Expressway corp. 6 Oh Hyun-Mi H.M. Oh 15/03/1986 175 62 270 265 32 32 GS Caltex Ryu took over the Korean national women’s team Doctor: Jae-chul Song earlier this year for the second time. 7 Yoon Hye-Suk H.S. Yoon 19/06/1983 174 60 293 283 Hyundai Trainer/Therapist: Dong-in Shin 8 Kim Hye-Jin H.J. Kim 17/02/1989 180 60 284 274 9 9 Heungkuk Life Insurance In 2002, he coached the women’s team to sixth place 9 La Hea-Won H.W. La 28/06/1986 184 73 302 294 37 37 GS Caltex at the 2002 World Championships in Germany and to 10 Kim Yeon-Koung Y.K. Kim 26/02/1988 190 73 307 299 9 26 35 JT Marvelous second place at the Busan Asian Games, where Korea 11 Ji Jung-Hee J.H. Ji 18/03/1985 180 65 305 296 57 57 KT&G met China, the top ranked team in the world at the Match Schedule 12 Hwang Youn-Joo Y.J. Hwang 13/08/1986 177 68 303 294 9 17 26 Hungkuk Life Insurance Co. time, in the gold medal match. 13 Park Jeong-Ah J.A. Park 26/03/1993 185 68 300 290 NAMSUNG Women’s Highschool Ryu is also a successful club coach, guiding Hyundai 10.11 19:00 Tokyo JPN-KOR 14 Yang Hyo-Jin H.J. Yang 14/12/1989 190 69 287 280 33 33 Hyundai to the Korean Super League title in his first season 11.11 15:30 Tokyo ITA-KOR 15 Kim Se-Young S.Y. Kim 04/06/1981 190 72 309 300 8 9 74 91 KT&G 16 Han Song-Yi S.Y. Han 05/09/1984 186 67 305 298 8 9 20 37 Heungkuk Life Insurance Co. (1999-2000), and in the process dethroning former 12.11 13:30 Tokyo KOR-BRA 17 Lee Bo-Lam B.L. Lee 08/08/1988 185 75 283 274 3 3 Korea Expressway Corp. champions LG, who had won the league 10 straight 14.11 12:30 Fukuoka THA-KOR 18 Yim Myung-Ok M.O. Yim 05/05/1986 176 65 58 266 7 7 KT&G years previously. Hyundai also went on to win the title 15.11 14:30 Fukuoka KOR-DOM 19 Kim Hee-Jin H.J. Kim 29/04/1991 186 75 300 295 20 20 Joongang Women`s High school again the following season. 20 Oh Ji-Young J.Y. Oh 11/07/1988 170 68 275 266 Korea Expressway Corp 38 39 Korea www.fivb.org

1 Y.M. Han 2 H.S. Yeum 11 J.H. Ji 12 Y.J. Hwang Name: Yoo-mi Han Name: Hye-seon Yeum Name: Jung-hee Ji Name: Youn-joo Hwang Age: 27 Age: 18 Age: 24 Age: 23 Born in: Kyonggi Born in: Mokpo Born in: Seoul Born in: Seoul Position: Wing spiker Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Seongho (KOR) in 1992 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Hadang (KOR) in 2002 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Songjeon (KOR) in 1997 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Wongok (KOR) in 2000 - Intl. debut: Grand Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship (Singapore) in Cup (Japan) in 2007 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Korean - Jr. Women’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in 2003 Prix (Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei ) in 2005 - Lang.: 1999 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Favourites: Book: Fiction, Food: Sushi - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Korean - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Chinese Korean Korean

3 E.M. Si 4 S.N. Kim 13 J.A. Park 14 H.J. Yang Name: Eun-mi Si Name: Sa-nee Kim Name: Jeong-ah Park Name: Hyo-jin Yang Age: 19 Age: 28 Age: 16 Age: 19 Born in: Seoul Born in: Seoul Born in: Seoul Born in: Seoul Position: Setter Position: Setter Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Chungang (KOR) in 2004 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Shingang (KOR) in 1992 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Mora (KOR) in 2004 - Lang.: Korean - Club debut: Sujeong (KOR) in 2001 - Intl. debut: Asian Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in 2007 - Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in 1996 Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Japanese Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship () in Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Poetry, Food: Korean - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: 2005 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Novels, Food: Korean , Movie: Promise, Music: Dance Korean Music

5 H.R. Kim 6 H.M. Oh 15 S.Y. Kim 16 S.Y. Han Name: Hae-ran Kim Name: Hyun-mi Oh Name: Se-young Kim Name: Song-yi Han Age: 25 Age: 23 Age: 28 Age: 25 Born in: Seoul Born in: Kyonggi Born in: Korea Born in: Kyonggi Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Yeumpo (KOR) in 1996 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Songjeon (KOR) in 1997 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Namsung (KOR) in 1996 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Sungho Elementary School (KOR) in 1994 - Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in 2001 - Jr. Women’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in 2003 Grand Prix (Various countries) in 2001 - Lang.: Korean Intl. debut: Asian Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Korean - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Poetry, Food: Korean - Favourites: Book: Fiction, Food: Japanese (Korea) in 2001 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Comedies, Food: Korean

7 H.S. Yoon 8 H.J. Kim 17 B.L. Lee 18 M.O. Yim Name: Hye-suk Yoon Name: Hye-jin Kim Name: Bo-lam Lee Name: Myung-ok Yim Age: 26 Age: 20 Age: 21 Age: 23 Born in: Yongin Born in: Cheonan Born in: Gwangju Born in: Masan Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Libero Club debut: Namsung (KOR) in 1996 - Lang.: Korean - Club debut: Ssangyong (KOR) in 2000 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Songwon (KOR) in 2002 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Masanjeil (KOR) in 2002 - Intl. debut: Grand Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Korean Asian Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship (Philippines) Jr. Women’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in Prix (Korea) in 2006 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: in 2005 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Science 2006 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Poetry, Food: Science Fiction, Food: Korean Fiction, Food: Sushi Chinese

9 H.W. La 10 Y.K. Kim 19 H.J. Kim 20 J.Y. Oh Name: Hea-won La Name: Yeon-koung Kim Name: Hee-jin Kim Name: Ji-young Oh Age: 23 Age: 21 Age: 18 Age: 21 Born in: Kyonggi Born in: Seoul Born in: Busan Born in: Jeongeup Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Songjeon (KOR) in 1997 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Ansanseo (KOR) in 1998 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Chungang (KOR) in 2005 - Intl. debut: Asian Club debut: Jeongeup Suseong (KOR) in 2005 - Intl. Jr. Women’s Volleyball Championship (Vietnam) in 2002 Jr. Women’s Volleyball Championship (Sri Lanka) in Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship (Thailand) in 2007 - debut: Asian Youth Girl’s Volleyball Championship - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Poetry, Food: Korean 2004 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Korean (Philippines) in 2005 - Lang.: Korean - Favourites: Book: Chinese Fiction, Food: Korean

40 41 List of Honours Thailand Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2002 17 The year 2009 has turned out to be a golden year for the 1998 13 Thailand women’s national team, coinciding nicely with celebrations feting 50 years of Volleyball in the country. The miracle happened in , Vietnam when the Thai team was crowned continental champion for the first time when they won the 15th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championships. And for the first time the team will participate in the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. World Grand Prix Olympic Games Thailand first exhibited hints of its current level of 2009 8 success in 2007, when it beat Korea, Kazakhstan and 2008 11 2006 11 Chinese Taipei at the 14th Asian Women’s Volleyball 2005 12 Championships in September that year to claim third 2004 10 place behind China and eventual winners Japan. 2003 9 2002 8 And in their first appearance at a World Cup, the team finished in 10th place with a credible two wins at the 2007 tournament in Japan. Another highlight for the team was its fourth-place finish at the in , . World Cup Cont. Championships The Thailand women’s national team was founded in 2007 10 2009 1 2007 3 1979 under an FIVB development plan called “The 2001 2005 6 National Team Project”. 2003 4 2001 3 Thailand is currently focused on preparation for the 2010 1999 4 World Championships, 2011 World Cup and 2012 London 1997 5 Olympics. 1995 5 1993 7 Coach 1991 7 Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai (THA) Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, a Team Roster national ace spiker turned head Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club coach, has brought fame and Team Officials 1 Buakaew Wanna B. Wanna L 02/01/1981 172 54 292 277 1 41 42 RBAC reputation to the Thailand Volleyball 2 Boonyuen Surasawadee B. Surasawadee 31/10/1991 179 72 280 275 Surasakmontri Association and its women’s national Manager: Chariya Ousingsawat 3 Montripila Jutarat M. Jutarat 02/10/1986 175 60 290 280 Nonthaburi team in particular. Coach: Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai 4 Sooksen Siriporn S. Siriporn 09/02/1988 180 66 308 292 7 7 RBAC As coach of Thailand’s women’s national team, Assistant Coach: Nataphon Srisamutnak 5 Thinkaow Pleumjit T. Pleumjit 09/11/1983 180 63 298 281 1 38 39 Konya Eregli beled sport 6 Sittirak Onuma S. Onuma 13/06/1986 175 72 304 285 15 15 Zeiler koniz Radchatagriengkai made history by helping the squad Doctor: Rueangsak Siriphol qualify for the first time for the FIVB Women’s World 7 Khanan Narumon K. Narumon 26/01/1983 180 66 311 289 29 29 RBAC Championship in Japan in 1998. He steered the team Trainer/Therapist: Danai Sriwacharamaytakul 8 Kaensing Utaiwan K. Utaiwan 07/09/1988 189 86 310 295 6 6 RBAC to 13th place at the world meet. 9 Pannoy Piyanut P. Piyanut 10/11/1989 171 68 280 275 Bangkok 10 Apinyapong Wilavan A. Wilavan C 06/06/1984 174 68 294 282 28 28 Konya Eregli beled sport Under his guidance, Thailand qualified again for the 11 Hyapha Amporn H. Amporn 19/05/1985 180 70 301 290 1 34 35 Federbrau 2002 World Championship Finals in Germany. This time, Match Schedule 12 Sukmak Kamonporn S. Kamonporn 29/02/1988 174 63 285 275 3 3 Nonthabury they finished 20th among the world’s top 24 teams. 13 Tomkom Nootsara T. Nootsara 07/07/1985 169 57 289 278 30 30 VC Kanti shaffausen The coach underlined his credentials when he 10.11 13:00 Tokyo THA-ITA 14 Saengmuang Patcharee S. Patcharee 20/03/1978 181 66 294 279 2 36 38 Federbrau coached the team to its first continental crown, 11.11 13:30 Tokyo THA-DOM 15 Kanthong Malika K. Malika 08/01/1987 177 63 292 278 16 16 Konya Eregli beled sport beating 11-time champions China in the final of the 12.11 19:00 Tokyo JPN-THA 16 Deesamer Patcharee D. Patcharee 03/02/1989 180 74 306 293 1 1 RBAC 15th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championships 17 Luangtonglang Wanitchaya L. Wanitchaya 08/10/1992 175 51 295 280 1 1 Nakhonratchasima Club 14.11 12:30 Fukuoka THA-KOR 18 Phanusit Em-orn P. Em-orn 25/03/1988 179 70 302 291 6 6 RBAC earlier this year. That win earned the team a spot in 15.11 12:30 Fukuoka BRA-THA the coveted FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. 19 Chaisri Tapaphaipun C. Tapaphaipun L 29/11/1989 168 60 295 276 10 10 RBAC

42 43 Thailand www.fivb.org

1 B. Wanna 2 B. Surasawadee 11 H. Amporn 12 S. Kamonporn Name: Wanna Buakaew Name: Surasawadee Boonyuen Name: Amporn Hyapha Name: Kamonporn Sukmak Age: 28 Age: 18 Age: 24 Age: 21 Born in: Prachinburi Born in: Samutsakorn Born in: Nakhonsawan Born in: Suphanburi Position: Libero Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Club debut: Pepsi (Bangkok) in 1994 - Intl. debut: 21st Club debut: Aonoi School (Bangkok) in 2004 - Intl. Club debut: Thai Farmer Bank (Bangkok) in 1997 - Club debut: Satrinonthaburi School (Nonthaburi) in South-East Asian Games (Malaysia) in 2001 - Hobby: debut: 2009 FIVB Junior World Championships (Baja Intl. debut: Princess Cup Volleyball Tournaments 1998 - Intl. debut: Princess Cup 2009 (Nakhonpratom, Movies - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Magazines, California, Mexico) in 2009 - Hobby: Movies - Lang.: (Suphanburi, Thailand) in 2002 - Hobby: Shopping - Thailand) in 2009 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Thai Food: Thai, Movie: Comedy, Music: Back Street Boys, Thai - Favourites: Book: Comedies, Food: Thai, Movie: Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Cartoons, Food: Thai, - Favourites: Book: Comedies, Food: Thai, Movie: Other sports: Football Action, Other sports: Swimming Movie: Drama, Music: M 2 M, Other sports: Swimming Comedy, Music: F4

3 M. Jutarat 4 S. Siriporn 13 T. Nootsara 14 S. Patcharee Name: Jutarat Montripila Name: Siriporn Sooksen Name: Nootsara Tomkom Name: Patcharee Saengmuang Age: 23 Age: 21 Age: 24 Age: 31 Born in: Udon thani Born in: Sakonnakhon Born in: Ratchaburi Born in: Nakhonratchasima Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Nonthaburi Shool (Nonthaburi) in Club debut: Nongruengvithaya (Khonkaen) in 2002 - Intl. Club debut: Watbangkhongnoi (Ratchaburi) in 1992 Club debut: Thai Farmer Bank (Bangkok) in 1995 - Intl. 2000 - Intl. debut: 25th Universiade 2009 debut: World Grand Prix 2007 (Bangkok) in 2008 - Hobby: - Intl. debut: World Grand Prix 2003 (Matera,Italy) in debut: 13th Asian Games (Bangkok,Thailand) in 1997 - (Belgrade, Serbia) in 2009 - Hobby: Movies - Lang.: Reading - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Magazines, 2003 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Hobby: Cartoons, Shopping - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Thai - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Thai, Movie: Food: Thai, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: Cartoons, Food: Thai, Movie: Action, Music: Pop Rock, Book: Cartoons, Food: Thai, Movie: Comedy, Music: Action, Other sports: Football Football Other sports: Swimming Pop, M2M, Other sports: Football

5 T. Pleumjit 6 S. Onuma 15 K. Malika 16 D. Patcharee Name: Pleumjit Thinkaow Name: Onuma Sittirak Name: Malika Kanthong Name: Patcharee Deesamer Age: 26 Age: 23 Age: 22 Age: 20 Born in: Ang-Thong Born in: Suratthani Born in: Angthong Born in: Surin Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Universal Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Pepsi (Bangkok) in 1992 - Intl. debut: 21th Club debut: Bangkok Bank (Bangkok) in 1996 - Intl. Club debut: Suphanburi (Bangkok) in 1998 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Nongrue (Nongrue, Khon Khan) in 2005 Southeast Asian Games (Malaysia) in 2001 - Hobby: debut: Asian Women’s Club (Philippines) in 2005 - 23th SEA Games (, Philippines) in 2005 - Hobby: - Intl. debut: Princess Cup 2009 (Nakhonpratom, Movies - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Cartoons, Food: Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Reading - Lang.: THA - Favourites: Book: Comedies, Thailand) in 2009 - Hobby: Reading newspapers - Lang.: Thai, Movie: Comedy, Music: Thai Pop, Other sports: Comedies, Food: Thai, Movie: Comedy, Music: Kala, Food: Thai, Movie: Comedy, Other sports: Football Thai - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Thai, Movie: Football Other sports: Footlball Action, Other sports: Football

7 K. Narumon 8 K. Utaiwan 17 L. Wanitchaya 18 P. Em-orn Name: Narumon Khanan Name: Utaiwan Kaensing Name: Wanitchaya Luangtonglang Name: Em-orn Phanusit Age: 26 Age: 21 Age: 17 Age: 21 Born in: Maha Sarakham Born in: Khonkaen Born in: Nakhornratchasima Born in: Khon Kaen Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Universal Club debut: Pepsi (Bangkok) in 1995 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Nongrue Wittaya (Khonkaen) in 2001 - Club debut: Chumchonbanbu (Nakhornratchasima) in 2002 Club debut: Nongruengvithaya (Khonkaen) in 2001 - Grand Prix 2002 (Macau) in 2002 - Hobby: Cartoons, Intl. debut: 24th World Universiade 2007 (Bangkok) in - Intl. debut: Asian Youth Girls Volleyball Championship Intl. debut: 1st AVC Cup (Nakhonrachasima,Thailand) in movies - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Discovery, 2007 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: (Philippines) in 2008 - Hobby: Sports - Lang.: Thai, English 2008 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Food: Thai, Movie: Comedy, Music: Pop, Boy Zone, Magazines, Food: Thai, Movie: Drama, Music: Pop, - Favourites: Book: Cartoons, Food: Thai, Movie: Vampire Magazines, Food: Thai, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: Football Other sports: Football Twilight, Music: Clash, Other sports: Football Other sports: Football

9 P. Piyanut 10 A. Wilavan 19 C. Tapaphaipun Name: Piyanut Pannoy Name: Wilavan Apinyapong Name: Tapaphaipun Chaisri Age: 20 Age: 25 Age: 19 Born in: Nakhon Srii Thammarat Born in: Nakhonratchasima Born in: Khon Kaen Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Position: Libero Club debut: Bodindecha (Mueng, Nakhon Sri Club debut: Chumchonnonghurean (Nakhonratchasima) Club debut: Nongruengvithaya (Khonkaen) in 2003 - Intl. Thammarat) in 2000 - Hobby: Movies - Lang.: Thai in 1992 - Intl. debut: World Grand Prix 2003 (Matera, Italy) debut: FIVB Olympic Qualification 2008 (Tokyo, Japan) - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Food: Thai, Movie: in 2003 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: in 2008 - Lang.: Thai - Favourites: Book: Magazines, Action, Other sports: Swimming Book: Cartoons, Food: Thai, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Food: Thai, Movie: Action Rock, Other sports: Swimming

44 45 Star Players Star Players www.fivb.org

Onuma Sittirak (THA) Megumi Kurihara (JPN) Talented Onuma Sittirak is a key player for Thailand’s Megumi Kurihara, whose Needless to say, it falls on Ko’s national Volleyball team who shot to fame following her nickname is Ko – meaning shoulders whether Japan is brilliant performance at the recent 15th Asian Senior “high” in Japanese – made successful or not. Women’s Volleyball Championships in Hanoi, Vietnam, her international debut at where she received the Most Valuable Player Award. the FIVB World Cup in 2003. “Princess Megu” – as she is Her debut was sensational known in the Japanese media for Onuma, who is now in her second season at Zeiler and most observers thought her imperious performances and Koniz Club in , shone with her exceptional it would be impossible for statuesque appearance – was born skills in the Asian meet, particularly her powerful Japan to win a medal at the on a small island, Nomi Island, near jump serves and lightning-fast spikes. For her Olympic Games without the Hiroshima. At the age of 13 she splendid performance, Onuma received a great round tall and talented Ko. However, moved to Yamaguchi Prefecture on of applause from the large crowd assembled at the due to a foot injury, she was her own to join a prestigious high Quan Ngua Competition Hall. forced to leave the national school Volleyball team. team for a long time to The 23-year-old Onuma, who stands just 175cm tall concentrate on treatment. Ko is very stubborn and tries to and weighs 70kg, started playing Volleyball when she She made her long-awaited push herself to the limit all the time. was 10. Earlier, she was a 100m and 200m sprinter in comeback in 2007. her school’s track and field team. She was born into a sporting In the 2007 season, Ko was family – her family members play Onuma joined the Thai national team for the first time an ace spiker in then-coach Volleyball, softball and athletics. Ko in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, where they Shoichi Yanagimoto’s squad loves all sports, and her favourite finished fourth to eventual winners China, runners-up and played outstandingly athlete is the former national team Japan and bronze-medalists Chinese Taipei. throughout the whole season. footballer, Hidetoshi Nakata.

Eleonora Lo Bianco (ITA) Prisilla Rivera (DOM) Lo Bianco was born in Borgomanero (VB) on Prisilla Rivera has received four MVP awards so far in 2009. December 22, 1979. The 171cm tall setter now plays Playing for Grupo Murcia of the Spanish League, the 24-year- for Foppapedretti Bergamo after cutting her teeth old Rivera took top honors in the League Finals, the Queen’s with Omegna and joining Club Italia, a team set up Cup, the Super Cup and the NORCECA Women’s Continental by the Italian Volleyball Federation to bring along Championships. promising young talent. “My friends are starting to call me MVPri,” says Rivera, who Playing for the Italian national team, Lo Bianco won scored 22 points in the gold medal match against Puerto Rico gold at the 2002 World Championships, silver at the in the NORCECA tournament, which the Dominican Republic 2004 World Grand Prix and bronze in 2006 and 2007, won for the first time to qualify for the FIVB World Grand five European medals (gold in 2007 and 2009, bronze Champions Cup. in 1999, and silver in 2001 and 2005). She is also a three-time Olympian, having taken part in the Olympic Playing for the national team since 2003, Rivera acknowledges Games in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008. the many influential players she has met while playing for Murcia, specifically mentioning Russian player Lioubov In October, Lo Bianco was named the Best Setter Sokolova Kilic and Brazilian Helia “Fofao” Souza. “They are at the CEV Orlen European Championships, which the ultimate players who make things look easy,” she said. Italy won by defeating the Netherlands in straight sets in the final to qualify for the FIVB World Grand Asked about her chances of winning yet another MVP award Champions Cup. in her first appearance at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup, Rivera replied: “Well, I am not sure about that. But who knows? We still are in 2009.” 46 47 Star Players Star Players www.fivb.org

Sheilla Tavares Castro (BRA) Sheilla started to play Volleyball for Brazilian club Mackenzie in 97. Three years later she already made her international debut for the Brazilian youth national team, winning the South American Championship in Medellín (Colombia).

In 2001, Sheilla graduated to the junior national team and became world champion for the first time in the Dominican Republic.

It was four years later when the super spiker gained more success but this time with the national team which triumphed at the Courmayeur Championship, the Montreux Volley Masters, the South American Championships and the World Grand Champions Cup (where she was elected the best player).

The year 2006 saw another stellar year with more success including Brazil’s sixth World Grand Prix title display at this year’s World Grand Prix illustrated where she was also chosen as the MVP. her all round potential. Another MVP award further confirms her as one of the hottest stars on the A gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games realised a women’s circuit and definitely one to look out for dream for the attractive attacker and an incredible in Japan.

Kim Sa Nee (KOR) Kim Sa Nee is the foundation on which the Korean women’s national team has been built since she joined the squad as a teenager in 1999.

The 28-year-old setter plays for club KT&G and has established herself as the lynchpin of the Korean offense with her quick and precise sets.

Kim has played in many of the world’s top tournaments, including the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, where Korea finished a respectable th5 , two World Championships, two World Cups and five World Grand Prix events.

This will be Kim’s second appearance at the World Grand Champions Cup after Korea’s sixth-place finish in 2001.

The Koreans will be looking for the left-handed Kim to put in an MVP performance at the World Grand Champions Cup as they attempt to finish on the podium for the first time at the tournament. 48 49 Men’s Participating Teams www.fivb.org

Dates of Competition 18 Nov 13:30 EGY-IRI 18 Nov 15:30 CUB-BRA Brazil 18 Nov 19:00 JPN-POL 19 Nov 13:30 IRI-BRA Cuba 19 Nov 15:30 POL-CUB 19 Nov 19:00 EGY-JPN 21 Nov 12:30 BRA-POL Egypt 21 Nov 14:30 CUB-EGY 21 Nov 18:00 JPN-IRI 22 Nov 12:30 EGY-BRA Iran 22 Nov 14:30 IRI-POL 22 Nov 18:00 JPN-CUB Japan 23 Nov 13:30 CUB-IRI 23 Nov 15:30 POL-EGY 23 Nov 19:00 BRA-JPN Poland

Osmany Camejo Durruty is one of the most exciting players to come out of Cuba

50 51 Men’s Road to Tokyo Men’s Road to Tokyo www.fivb.org Continental Qualification Tournaments

Confederation Date Country Qualified Team South America 14th-21st August Bolivia Brazil Europe 3rd-13th September Turkey Poland Asia 26th September-5th October Philippines Iran Africa (Wild card) 25th September-5th October Morocco Egypt Norceca 10th-18th October Puerto Rico Cuba Host Japan

South America (Bolivia) Final Ranking 1 Brazil Round Robin 2 Argentina 21.08.09 BRA-ARG 3-1 28-30 25-17 25-19 25-15 3 Venezuela VEN-PER 3-0 25-16 25-17 25-13 4 Colombia URU-CHI 0-3 18-25 20-25 16-25 20.08.09 COL-URU 3-0 25-16 25-20 25-14 5 Peru BRA-VEN 3-1 25-23 25-18 23-25 25-22 6 Chile CHI-PER 3-0 25-19 25-21 25-19 7 Uruguay 19.08.09 COL-PER 3-0 25-18 25-20 25-15 BRA-CHI 3-0 25-8 25-22 25-22 ARG-VEN 3-1 25-20 20-25 25-21 27-25 18.08.09 BRA-COL 3-0 25-23 25-21 25-19 ARG-CHI 3-0 25-18 25-23 25-13 URU-PER 2-3 19-25 25-21 19-25 28-26 12-15 17.08.09 ARG-COL 3-0 25-22 25-22 26-24 BRA-URU 3-0 25-17 25-19 25-15 VEN-CHI 3-0 25-9 25-19 25-19 16.08.09 VEN-COL 3-0 25-23 27-25 25-19 Final Ranking BRA-PER 3-0 25-15 25-14 25-10 1 Poland ARG-URU 3-0 25-16 25-17 25-18 2 France 15.08.09 VEN-URU 3-0 25-21 25-18 25-19 3 Bulgaria CHI-COL 0-3 23-25 21-25 18-25 ARG-PER 3-0 25-14 25-20 25-16 4 Russia 5 Serbia 6 Germany Europe (Turkey) 7 The Netherlands Semifinals 8 12.09.09 POL-BUL 3-0 25-19 30-28 25-20 9 Spain 12.09.09 RUS-FRA 2-3 18-25 22-25 27-25 25-15 15-17 10 Italy 11 Slovakia Classification Match 3/4 12 Finland 13.09.09 BUL-RUS 3-0 25:18 26:24 25:21 13 Turkey 14 Final 15 13.09.09 POL-FRA 3-1 29:27 25:21 16:25 26:24 16 Czech Republic

52 53 Men’s Road to Tokyo Men’s Road to Tokyo www.fivb.org Continental Qualification Tournaments

Asia (Philippines) Final Ranking Finals for classification 1 Japan Classification Match 17/18 2 Iran 03.10.09 HKG-MDV 3-2 25-23 24-26 25-17 15-25 15-8 3 Korea Classification Match 15/16 4 China 05.10.09 SRI-PHI 0-3 match cancelled due to early department of SRI 5 Kazakhstan Classification Match 13/14 6 Indonesia 05.10.09 QAT-THA 0-3 17-25 24-26 21-25 7 Australia Classification Match 11/12 8 Chinese Taipei 05.10.09 LIB-VIE 3-0 25-23 26-24 25-22 9 India Classification Match 9/10 10 Myanmar 05.10.09 MYA-IND 0-3 21-25 16-25 16-25 11 Lebanon Classification Match 7/8 12 Vietnam 05.10.09 AUS-TPE 3-0 25-15 25-21 25-14 13 Thailand Classification Match 5/6 14 Qatar 05.10.09 KAZ-INA 3-1 25-18 22-25 25-10 25-17 15 Philippines Classification Match 3/4 16 Sri Lanka 05.10.09 KOR-CHN 3-1 25-23 25-22 22-25 25-23 17 Hong Kong Classification Match 1/2 05.10.09 IRI-JPN 1-3 25-19 18-25 23-25 22-25 18 Maldives

Africa (Morocco) Final Ranking Finals for classification 1 Egypt Classification Match 7/8 2 Algeria 04.10.09 BOT-RSA 2-3 23-25 25-21 23-25 25-17 11-15 3 Cameroon 4 Morocco Classification Match 5/6 5 Tunisia 04.10.09 LIB-TUN 1-3 25-14 23-25 15-25 18-25 6 Libya Classification Match 3/4 7 04.10.09 CMR-MAR 3-1 25-18 22-25 25-19 25-15 8 Botswana Classification Match 1/2 9 Gabon 04.10.09 ALG-EGY 0-3 25-21 25-16 25-11

NORCECA (Puerto Rico) Final Ranking 1 Cuba Semifinals 2 United States 16.09.09 CUB-CAN 3-0 25-22 25-16 25-21 3 Puerto Rico 16.09.09 USA-PUR 3-0 25-16 25-23 25-22 4 Canada 5 Mexico Finals 6 Dominican Republic 17.09.09 CAN-PUR 2-3 16-25 26-24 20-25 25-22 9-15 7 Barbados 17.09.09 CUB-USA 3-1 25-21 22-25 25-21 25-22 8 Panama 54 55 Men’s Competition Schedule Team Profiles www.fivb.org

Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium 18 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 1 EGY-IRI 13:30 2 CUB-BRA 15:30 3 JPN-POL 19:00

19 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 4 IRI-BRA 13:30 5 POL-CUB 15:30 6 EGY-JPN 19:00

21 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 7 BRA-POL 12:30 8 CUB-EGY 14:30 9 JPN-IRI 18:00

Nagoya Nippongaishi Hall 22 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 10 EGY-BRA 12:30 11 IRI-POL 14:30 12 JPN-CUB 18:00

23 November 2009 Result Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 13 CUB-IRI 13:30 14 POL-EGY 15:30 15 BRA-JPN 19:00 Legend for Team Rosters

Ranking Individual Awards Nr = Shirt Number H = Height 1 Most Valuable Player W = Weight 2 Best Scorer S = Spike Best Spiker B = Block 3 Best Blocker OG = Olympic Games 4 Best Server WC = World Championships OTH = Other Tournaments 5 Best Digger 6 Best Libero

56 57 List of Honours Brazil Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2005 1 2006 1 1966 13 Defending champions Brazil come into the World Grand 2001 2 2002 1 1962 10 Champions Cup on a high note, having enjoyed great 1997 1 1998 4 1960 5 success around the world in 2009. 1993 2 1994 5 1956 11 1990 4 The team qualified for the tournament by winning its 1986 4 27th South American title by defeating Argentina in the 1982 2 final in Colombia, and recently swept reigning Olympic 1978 6 1974 10 champions USA in five straight friendly matches in 1970 12 preparation for the Grand Champions Cup.

In the summer, Brazil won an epic five-set encounter World League Olympic Games with Serbia in Belgrade during the final of the 2009 2009 1 1999 3 2008 2 1968 9 World League. That gold helped Brazil match Italy as 2008 4 1998 5 2004 1 1964 7 the most successful team at the tournament – both have 2007 1 1997 5 2000 6 now won the World league eight times each. 2006 1 1996 5 1996 5 2005 1 1995 2 1992 1 Brazil also lays claim to being the most successful team 2004 1 1994 3 1988 4 at the World Grand Champions Cup, having medaled in 2003 1 1993 1 1984 2 each edition: gold in 1997 and 2005 and silver in 1993 2002 2 1992 5 1980 5 and 2001. 2001 1 1991 5 1976 7 2000 3 1990 3 1972 8 Key players include the likes of Giba, Sergio and Rodrigo and it will be interesting to see if the new players introduced into the squad can form the combination to World Cup Cont. Championships 2007 1 2009 1 1981 1 continue the great success of Team Brazil. 2007 1 1979 1 2003 1 2005 1 1977 1 1999 5 2003 1 1975 1 1995 3 2001 1 1973 1 1991 4 1999 1 1971 1 1997 1 1969 1 1989 5 1995 1 1967 1 1985 4 1993 1 1962 1 1981 3 1991 1 1961 1 1989 1 1958 1 1977 8 1987 1 1956 1 1969 6 1985 1 1951 1 1983 1

Coach Team Roster (BRA) Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club Team Officials 1 Rezende Bruno Mossa Bruno 02/07/1986 190 76 323 302 7 20 27 Cimed Bernardo Rezende, nicknamed 2 Carvalho Sandro Sandro 02/04/1981 306 83 317 0 5 5 Sada Cruzeiro “Bernardinho,” was born in Rio de Manager: Antonio Lerbach 3 Carbonera Eder Eder 19/08/1983 204 101 350 330 3 5 8 Cimed Janeiro. The 50-year-old was in Coach: Bernardo Rezende 4 Silva Leandro Araújo da L. Araujo 17/12/1983 205 94 354 330 7 5 12 Sada Cruzeiro charge of the women’s national team Assistant Coach: Roberley Leonaldo 5 dos Santos Jr. Sidnei Sidão 09/07/1982 203 98 344 318 16 16 SESI from 1994-2000, and in 2001 became 6 Vissotto Neves 30/04/1983 212 97 370 345 14 17 31 Trentino Betclic head coach of the Brazilian men’s national team. Doctor: Alvaro Chamecki 7 Godoy Filho Gilberto Giba C 23/12/1976 192 85 325 312 15 33 260 308 PINHEIROS/SKY Trainer/Therapist: Guilherme Tenius Rezende played Volleyball from 1979-1986 in Rio de 8 Endres Murilo Murilo 03/05/1981 190 76 343 319 7 24 31 SESI Janeiro. As a player, he won the bronze medal in the 9 Lopes Theo Théo 31/08/1983 199 79 335 320 SANTORY SUNBIRDS 10 Santos Sérgio Dutra Sérgio L 15/10/1975 184 78 325 310 8 9 125 142 Santander 1981 World Cup in Japan and silver medals at the 11 Alves Thiago Soares Thiago 26/07/1986 194 88 330 308 8 8 Cimed FIVB World Championships in Argentina in 1982 and Match Schedule 12 Tavares Joao Paulo Joao Paulo 30/03/1983 204 93 332 327 7 35 42 the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. 13 Barth Tiago Tiago Barth 13/06/1988 209 87 360 330 17 17 SESI In 2009, Rezende brought in several new faces to 18.11 15:30 Osaka CUB-BRA 14 Santana Rodrigo Rodrigão 17/04/1979 205 85 350 328 4 20 125 149 PINHEIRO/SKY play alongside Olympians Giba, Sergio and Rodrigao. 19.11 13:30 Osaka IRI-BRA 15 Silva Maurício Maurício 04/02/1989 197 85 321 302 7 16 23 VIVO MINAS Together they wrote their names in the country’s 21.11 12:30 Nagoya BRA-POL 16 Saatkamp Lucas Lucas 06/03/1986 209 101 340 321 7 20 27 Cimed 17 Yared Marlon Marlon 27/07/1977 190 80 315 304 7 7 9 23 VIVO/MINAS Volleyball history books by winning an epic World 22.11 12:30 Nagoya EGY-BRA League gold medal match against Serbia in Belgrade. 18 Bravo Pereira João Paulo J. Bravo 07/01/1979 196 87 340 320 2 2 Piacenza 23.11 19:00 Nagoya BRA-JPN 19 da Silva Pedreira Junior Mario Mario L 05/03/1982 192 91 330 321 Cimed 20 Campos Wanderson Wanderson 07/02/1988 198 95 344 320 7 2 9 Vivo Minas 58 59 Brazil www.fivb.org

1 Bruno 2 Sandro 11 Thiago 12 Joao Paulo Name: Bruno Mossa Rezende Name: Sandro Carvalho Name: Name: Joao Paulo Tavares Age: 23 Age: 28 Age: 23 Age: 26 Born in: Rio de Janeiro Born in: - Born in: Porto Alegre Born in: Tres Pontas Position: Setter Position: - Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: in 1998 - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Club debut: in 1998 - Intl. debut: in 2009 - Lang.: Club debut: Gremio Nautico Uniao (Rio Grande do Sul) in Club debut: At school (Tres Pontas) in 1998 - Intl. debut: Book: Da Vinci Code, Food: Barbecue Portuguese 1996 - Intl. debut: Youth South American Championship South American Championship (youth) (Argentina) in (Chile) in 2002 - Hobby: Movies - Lang.: Portuguese, 2000 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: English - Favourites: Book: Romance, Food: Barbecue, Food: Brazilian food, Music: Rock Movie: Action

3 Eder 4 L. Araujo 13 Tiago Barth 14 Rodrigão Name: Eder Carbonera Name: Leandro Araújo Da Silva Name: Tiago Barth Name: Rodrigo Santana Age: 26 Age: 25 Age: 21 Age: 30 Born in: Farroupilha Born in: Limeira Born in: Mondai Born in: Sao Paulo Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Club debut: UCS - RS (Caxias do Sul) in 1999 - Intl. Club debut: in 1996 - Intl. debut: Youth World Lang.: Portuguese Club debut: Banespa (São Paulo ) in 1993 - Intl. debut: debut: Friendly match (Varginha) in 2001 - Hobby: Music Championship (Cairo) in 2001 - Lang.: Portuguese - Youth Continental Championship (Paraguay) in 1996 - shows and movies - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Favourites: Food: Pasta, Music: Rap, samba Hobby: Travel - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Book: Food: Lasagna, chocolate, pasta and pizza, Music: Feliz ano velho, Food: Italian, Movie: Action, Music: Rock, U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday Samba, Other sports: Soccer

5 Sidão 6 Vissotto 15 Maurício 16 Lucas Name: Sidnei Dos Santos Jr. Name: Leandro Vissotto Neves Name: Maurício Silva Name: Age: 27 Age: 26 Age: 20 Age: 23 Born in: - Born in: São Paulo Born in: - Born in: Lajeado Position: Middle blocker Position: Opposite spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: - Lang.: Portuguese Club debut: C.R. Flamengo (Rio de Janeiro) in 1995 - Intl. Lang.: Portuguese Club debut: Porto Alegre in 2001 - Hobby: Movies - debut: South American Championship (Argentina) in 2000 - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Book: Harry Potter, Hobby: Movies, fishing -Lang.: Portuguese, Spanish, Eng. Food: Barbecue - Favourites: Book: Michael Jordan’s Biography, Food: Sushi, Movie: Gladiator, Other sports: Michael Jordan

7 Giba 8 Murilo 17 Marlon 18 J. Bravo Name: Gilberto Godoy Filho Name: Name: Marlon Yared Name: João Paulo Bravo Pereira Age: 32 Age: 28 Age: 32 Age: 30 Born in: Londrina Born in: Brazil Born in: - Born in: - Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Setter Position: - Club debut: Country Club Canadá (Londrina) in 1991 Club debut: At school (Passo Fundo) in 1996 - Intl. Lang.: Portuguese Lang.: Portuguese - Intl. debut: Youth World Championship (Portugal) debut: South American Championship (Venezuela) in in 1993 - Hobby: Movies, music - Lang.: Portuguese - 2000 - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Food: Barbecue, Favourites: Book: Spiritual, Food: Pasta, Movie: Action/ Movie: Gladiator Comedy, Music: Pop, Other sports: Volleyball

9 Théo 10 Sérgio 19 Mario 20 Wanderson Name: Theo Lopes Name: Sérgio Dutra Santos Name: Mario Da Silva Pedreira Junior Name: Wanderson Campos Age: 26 Age: 34 Age: 27 Age: 21 Born in: - Born in: Nova Londrina Born in: - Born in: Pitangui Position: Opposite spiker Position: Libero Position: - Position: - Club debut: Sodeso (Sobradinho) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Brasil Volei Clube (São Paulo) in 1989 - Intl. Lang.: Portuguese Club debut: in 2002 - Hobby: Soccer - Lang.: Portuguese Friendly match (Argentina) in 2008 - Hobby: Movies - debut: World League (Greece) in 2001 - Hobby: Travel - Favourites: Book: Da Vinci Code, Food: Rice and Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Book: Adventure, Food: - Lang.: Portuguese - Favourites: Food: Brazilian food, beans, Movie: Harry Potter, Music: Skank, Other sports: Barbecue, Other sports: Soccer Movie: Adventure Soccer

60 61 List of Honours Cuba Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2001 1 2006 15 1966 17 The Cuban team is composed mainly of young players 1997 3 2002 19 1956 19 whose mission it is to show that they are ready to 1993 3 1998 3 reach the heights of the Cuban teams from past Grand 1994 4 Champions Cup campaigns. 1990 2 1986 5 The have medaled in three of the four Grand 1982 10 Champions Cup tournaments, winning gold in 2001 and 1978 3 bronze in 1993 and 1997. The team did not qualify for the 1974 8 1970 13 last edition in 2005 after losing the NORCECA continental crown to Team USA. World League Olympic Games Cuba’s objectives are well-defined and the team is expected to put in a good performance and once again 2009 4 1999 2 2000 7 2008 10 1998 1 1996 6 place its young players among the world’s elite. 2007 7 1997 2 1992 4 The youthful Cuban team showed during the 2009 World 2006 7 1996 4 1980 7 League (where they finished 4th) that they are ready to 2005 3 1995 3 1976 3 2004 7 1994 2 1972 10 compete with the best teams in the world. 2003 13 1993 4 Although the team ran out of steam in the Final Round, 2002 13 1992 2 Cuba had a swashbuckling start to its campaign, with 2001 5 1991 2 many moments to savor and much to look forward to 2000 7 in the future. World Cup Cont. Championships At 2.01 meters, Wilfredo Leon proved to be a spiking phenomenon at 15 years old (he’s now the ripe old age 1999 2 2009 1 1987 1 of 16), and captain Roberlandy Simon led his team in 1995 6 2007 3 1985 2 1991 2 2005 2 1983 3 attack and defense. 1989 1 2003 3 1981 1 After winning the 2009 Continental Championships, Cuba 1981 2 2001 1 1979 1 is ready for another top performance at the 2009 World 1977 3 1999 2 1977 1 1969 9 1997 1 1975 1 Grand Champions Cup. 1995 1 1973 2 1993 1 1971 1 1991 1 1969 1 Coach 1989 1 Orlando Samuels Blackwood (CUB) Orlando Samuels was born on Team Roster December 31, 1946 in Esmeralda Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club Camaguey, the Cuban city that has Team Officials 1 Leon Venero Wilfredo Leon 31/07/1993 201 85 350 346 Santiago de Cuba produced a long list of national team 2 Estrada Jova Liancen Estrada 12/12/1982 196 83 339 335 Santiago de Cuba players. Manager: Francisco Medina Guzman 3 Alvarez Leyva Gustavo Alvarez 14/12/1985 180 75 305 300 20 20 Ciudad Habana He was a member of the Cuban team for several Coach: Orlando Samuels Blackwood 4 Leal Hidalgo Joandry Leal 31/08/1988 201 84 361 348 4 4 La Habana years, and is a coach with a multitude of international Assistant Coach: Idalberto Valdez Pedro 5 Macias Infante Leandro Macias 13/02/1990 192 70 325 318 4 4 Santiago de Cuba experience. He was technical director of the Cuban 6 Gutierrez Torres Keibir Gutierrez L 06/05/1987 178 80 305 295 10 10 Villa Clara Trainer/Therapist: Nicolas Vives Coffini teams from 1985-1995 and participated in various 7 Camejo Durruty Osmany Camejo 18/02/1983 202 90 350 330 10 10 Ciudad Habana international competitions, including the World League, 8 Cepeda Abreu Rolando Cepeda 13/03/1989 198 77 359 344 4 4 S.Spiritus World Championships, Olympic Games and World Cups. 9 Sánchez Bozlueva Michael Sánchez B. 05/06/1986 206 91 358 328 5 5 Ciudad Habana 10 Camejo Durruthi Osmel Camejo 25/09/1989 200 82 267 351 1 1 C.Habana He was nominated as best coach in 1989 when his 11 Delgado Gonzalez Raydel Delgado 08/09/1987 195 81 347 330 5 5 La Habana team won the gold medal at the Pan American Games, Match Schedule 12 Bell Cisnero Henry Bell 27/07/1983 188 84 358 328 49 49 Santiago de Cuba Central American and Caribbean Games and the 13 Simón Aties Roberlandy Simón C 11/06/1987 206 91 358 326 6 6 Ciudad Habana NORCECA Continental Championships. 18.11 15:30 Osaka CUB-BRA 14 Hierrezuelo Aguirre Raydel Hierrezuelo 14/07/1987 196 87 340 335 10 10 Ciudad Habana Coaching highlights: 19.11 15:30 Osaka POL-CUB 15 Ferrer Delis Darien Ferrer 31/10/1983 204 84 362 346 Santiago de Cuba 1989 World Cup: Gold medal 21.11 14:30 Nagoya CUB-EGY 16 Mesa Sandobal Isbel Mesa 02/06/1989 204 89 358 331 C. Habana 17 Dominico Speek Odelvis Dominico 06/05/1977 205 87 360 356 4 51 55 Ciudad Habana 1991-1992 World League: Silver medal 22.11 18:00 Nagoya JPN-CUB 18 Díaz Carmenate Yoandri Diaz 04/01/1985 196 89 358 328 6 6 Ciudad Habana 2009 World League: 4th place 23.11 13:30 Nagoya CUB-IRI 19 Hernandez Ramos Fernando Hernandez 11/09/1989 196 78 258 339 4 4 C.Habana

62 63 Cuba www.fivb.org

1 Leon 2 Estrada 11 Delgado 12 Bell Name: Wilfredo Leon Venero Name: Liancen Estrada Jova Name: Gonzalez Raydel Delgado Name: Henry Bell Cisnero Age: 16 Age: 26 Age: 22 Age: 26 Born in: Santiago de Cuba Born in: Santiago de Cuba Born in: La Habana Born in: Santiago de Cuba Position: Wing spiker Position: Setter Position: Universal Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Santiago de Cuba in 2005 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Santiago de Cuba - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Habana - Intl. debut: Boy’s Youth World Club debut: Santiago de Cuba - Intl. debut: Boy’s Youth Men’s Junior World Championship in 2006 - Hobby: League in 2007 - Hobby: Television - Lang.: Spanish - Championship in 2005 - Hobby: Playing computer World Championship in 2001 - Hobby: Television - Lang.: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: Adventure, Favourites: Book: Novels, Movie: Adventure, Music: games - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Movie: Adventure, Spanish - Favourites: Movie: Thrillers, Music: Salsa, Food: Cuban, Movie: War, Music: Reggaeton, Other Cuban music, Other sports: Baseball Music: Ballads, Other sports: Football Other sports: Baseball sports: Baseball

3 Alvarez 4 Leal 13 Simón 14 Hierrezuelo Name: Gustavo Alvarez Leyva Name: Joandry Leal Hidalgo Name: Roberlandy Simón Aties Name: Raydel Hierrezuelo Aguirre Age: 23 Age: 21 Age: 22 Age: 22 Born in: Ciudad Habana Born in: La Habana Born in: Ciudad Habana Born in: Ciudad Habana Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Club debut: Ciudad Habana (Ciudad Habana) in 1998 Club debut: Habana - Intl. debut: Men’s Junior World Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Intl. debut: Men’s Junior Club debut: Ciudad Habana (Ciudad Habana) in 1998 - Intl. debut: World Championship (Ciudad Habana) Championship in 2005 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Spanish World Championship in 2005 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: - Intl. debut: World Championship (Ciudad Habana) in 2006 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: - Favourites: Food: Cuban, Movie: Action, Music: Spanish - Favourites: Movie: Adventure, Music: in 2006 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Book: Action novels, Food: Creole, Movie: Action, Romantic, Other sports: Basketball Reggaeton, Other sports: Basketball Book: Adventure, Food: Creole, Movie: Terror, Music: Music: Reggaeton, Other sports: Baloncesto Reggaeton, Other sports: Baseball

5 Macias 6 Gutierrez 15 Ferrer 16 Mesa Name: Leandro Macias Infante Name: Keibir Gutierrez Torres Name: Darien Ferrer Delis Name: Isbel Mesa Sandobal Age: 19 Age: 22 Age: 26 Age: 20 Born in: Santiago de Cuba Born in: Villa Clara Born in: Santiago de Cuba Born in: Ciudad Habana Position: Setter Position: Libero Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Santiago de Cuba - Intl. debut: Boy’s Youth Club debut: Villa Clara (Villa Clara) - Intl. debut: WL2006 Club debut: Santiago de Cuba - Intl. debut: NORCECA Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Intl. debut: NORCECA World Championship in 2007 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: in 2006 - Hobby: Play station games - Lang.: Spanish in 2003 - Hobby: Dancing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: U-21 in 2008 - Hobby: Playing computer games - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Movie: Action, Music: Cuban - Favourites: Book: Adventure novels, Food: Creole, Movie: Action, Music: Salsa, Other sports: Baseball Spanish - Favourites: Book: Novels, Movie: Thrillers, music, Other sports: Baseball Movie: Science fiction, Music: Rap, Other sports: Music: Salsa, Other sports: Basketball Baloncesto

7 Camejo 8 Cepeda 17 Dominico 18 Diaz Name: Osmany Camejo Durruty Name: Rolando Cepeda Abreu Name: Odelvis Dominico Speek Name: Yoandri Díaz Carmenate Age: 26 Age: 20 Age: 32 Age: 24 Born in: Ciudad Habana Born in: Cienfuegos Born in: Guantanamo Born in: Ciudad Habana Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Intl. debut: Men’s Junior Club debut: Cienfuegos - Intl. debut: Men’s Junior Club debut: Guantanamo - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Intl. debut: Men’s Junior World Championship in 2005 - Hobby: Television - Lang.: World Championship in 2007 - Hobby: Playing computer Spanish - Favourites: Book: Thrillers, Food: Creole, World Championship in 2003 - Hobby: Dancing - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Movie: Terror, Music: Cuban games - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Movie: Action, Music: Salsa, Other sports: Baseball Spanish - Favourites: Book: Biographies, Movie: Action, music, Other sports: Football Music: Reggae, Other sports: Football Music: Rap, salsa, Other sports: Football

9 Sánchez B. 10 Camejo 19 Hernandez Name: Michael Sánchez Bozlueva Name: Osmel Camejo Durruthi Name: Fernando Hernandez Ramos Age: 23 Age: 20 Age: 20 Born in: Ciudad Habana Born in: Ciudad Habana Born in: Ciudad Habana Position: Universal Position: Middle blocker Position: Universal Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Intl. debut: NORCECA U-21 Club debut: Ciudad Habana - Intl. debut: NORCECA U-21 Spanish - Favourites: Movie: War, Music: Rock, in 2008 - Hobby: Internet - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: in 2008 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Spanish - Favourites: Reggaeton, Other sports: Football Movie: Action, Music: Salsa, Reggaeton, Ballads, Other Book: Best sellers, Movie: Thrillers, Music: Reggaeton, sports: Football Other sports: Football

64 65 List of Honours Egypt Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2005 5 2006 21 Egypt is Africa’s leading Volleyball nation, having 2002 19 won more continental titles and participated in more 1998 19 international competitions than any other nation. 1986 14 1978 23 The team won the African Nations Championship in 1983 1974 17 to qualify for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Egypt qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 2002 World Championships in Argentina and the 2003 World Cup in Japan.

In 2008, Egypt won the African Championship and World League Olympic Games qualified for the Olympic Games in Beijing. 2008 13 2008 11 The team has already qualified for the 2010 World 2007 13 2000 11 2006 13 1984 10 Championships in Italy after winning the African Qualification Tournament in August 2009. Egypt qualified for the World Grand Champions Cup by repeating as African champions in October in Morocco. The team can be broken down into three different generations, the first being players who joined the national team between 1990–1999, the second generation is composed of players born between 1983– World Cup Cont. Championships 1984, and the third generation of players was born in 2007 10 2009 1 1987 4 and after 1985. 2003 12 2007 1 1983 1 1995 11 2005 1 1976 1 That recipe has been the formula for success in recent 1985 8 2003 2 1971 2 years and one that should stand Egypt in good stead at 1977 11 1999 2 1958 15 the World Grand Champions Cup. 1997 5 1955 14 1995 2 1993 3 1991 2 Coach 1989 3 Antonio Giacobbe (ITA) Egypt head coach Antonio Giacobbe Team Roster is considered one of the most Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club successful foreign coaches in African Team Officials 1 Awad Hamdy Elsafi C 14/04/1972 202 105 346 327 5 20 296 321 AHLY Volleyball. 2 Ahmed Abdalla Abdalla 10/10/1983 199 78 333 321 1 4 3 8 AL-Arabi The Italian raised the level of Volleyball in Tunisia Manager: Khaled Selim 3 Gabal Mohamed Gabal 21/01/1984 195 97 345 320 5 25 30 ZAMALEK remarkably during his long tenure as coach, to a Coach: Antonio Giacobbe 4 Abdelhay Ahmed A. Salah 19/08/1984 197 87 342 316 10 96 106 AL-Arabi point where Tunisia has now won all the continental Assistant Coach: Sherif El Shemerly 5 Ahmed Abdel Latif Abdellatif 13/08/1983 201 90 335 325 Ahly 6 Alaydy Wael Alaydy L 08/12/1971 178 76 0 0 10 116 126 AHLY competitions and represented the continent in Doctor: Osama Farag international competitions most often. 7 Abouelhassan Ashraf Ashraf 17/05/1975 184 87 340 315 5 15 166 186 ZAMALEK Trainer/Therapist: Ahmed Abdul Mohsen 8 Youssef Saleh S. Fathy 25/07/1982 194 90 348 326 10 76 86 ZAMALEK He most recently guided Egypt through a difficult 9 Atia Rashad Rashad 02/09/1986 199 75 330 326 El Gaish qualification tournament for the 2010 World League, 10 Elkoumy Mahmoud M. Elkoumy 19/10/1983 196 80 330 326 2 200 202 AHLY beating Japan in back-to-back matches, to earn a 11 Afifi Ahmed Youssef 30/03/1988 194 84 337 320 4 4 8 ZAMALEK berth at the elite men’s tournament. Match Schedule 12 Abdalla Hosaam Hossam 16/02/1988 202 90 326 0 Ahly 13 Badawy Mohamed Moneim 11/01/1986 197 99 335 322 3 20 23 ZAMALEK Under Giacobbe’s guidance, Egypt has also qualified 18.11 13:30 Osaka EGY-IRI 14 Elshikh Ahmed A. Aly 19/07/1988 201 83 327 0 1 1 ZAMALEK for the 2010 World Championships in Italy and won the 19.11 19:00 Osaka EGY-JPN 15 Abdel Fattah Ahmed Mosad 14/06/1986 198 95 335 325 25 25 ELSHAMS African Championship to qualify for the FIVB World 21.11 14:30 Nagoya CUB-EGY 16 Seif Elnasr Mohamed M. Ali 05/09/1983 203 80 346 326 20 20 ZAMALEK Grand Champions Cup. 17 Thakil Mohamed M Elhosseiny 12/07/1986 184 71 326 315 17 17 Ahly 22.11 12:30 Nagoya EGY-BRA 18 El Daabousi Mohamed Daabousi 01/03/1987 201 102 339 320 4 11 15 SPORTING Prof. Antonio Giacobbe was born on February 12, 1947 23.11 15:30 Nagoya POL-EGY in Livorno, Italy. 19 Moawad Mohamed Meawad L 26/08/1987 194 90 321 310 4 9 13 Ahly 20 Issa Mohamed M. Issa 12/04/1988 0 0 0 0 66 67 Egypt www.fivb.org

1 Elsafi 2 Abdalla 11 Youssef 12 Hossam Name: Hamdy Awad Name: Abdalla Ahmed Name: Ahmed Afifi Name: Hosaam Abdalla Age: 37 Age: 26 Age: 21 Age: 21 Born in: Alexandria Born in: - Born in: Giza Born in: Behera Position: Wing spiker Position: Setter Position: Wing spiker Position: Setter Club debut: Smoha Club (Alexandria) in 1982 - Intl. Club debut: Ahly (Cairo) - Intl. debut: Youth Boys’ World Club debut: Zamalek (Giza) in 1995 - Intl. debut: Youth Club debut: Ahly - Lang.: Arabic debut: World Championship (Japan) in 1998 - Hobby: Championship - 2001 (Cairo) in 2001 - Lang.: Arabic Boys World Championship (Algeria) in 2005 - Hobby: Travel, reading - Lang.: Arabic, English - Favourites: Cycling - Lang.: Arabic, English - Favourites: Book: Book: History, Food: Egyptian, Movie: Action, Music: Sports, Food: Kofta, Movie: Gone in 60 seconds, Other Classic, Other sports: Football sports: Michael Jordan

3 Gabal 4 A. Salah 13 Moneim 14 A. Aly Name: Mohamed Gabal Name: Ahmed Abdelhay Name: Mohamed Badawy Name: Ahmed Elshikh Age: 25 Age: 25 Age: 23 Age: 21 Born in: Mahala Born in: Cairo Born in: Giza Born in: Cairo Position: Opposite spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Elmahala (Elgharbeya) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Ahly (Cairo) in 1994 - Intl. debut: Youth Club debut: Zamalek (Giza) in 1994 - Intl. debut: Youth Club debut: El Shams - Lang.: Arabic World League (Various Countries) in 2006 - Hobby: World Championship (Cairo) in 2001 - Hobby: Sports - Boys World Championship (Cairo) in 2001 - Hobby: Chess - Lang.: Arabic, English - Favourites: Book: Lang.: Arabic, English - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Reading - Lang.: Arabic, English - Favourites: Book: Comic, Food: Kofta, Movie: Spiderman, Music: Santana, Italian, Movie: Comedies, Music: Mariah Carey, Other Comedies, Food: Egyptian, Movie: Look Who’s Talking Other sports: David Beckham sports: Football , Music: Asher, Other sports: Football

5 Abdellatif 6 Alaydy 15 Mosad 16 M. Ali Name: Abdel Latif Ahmed Name: Wael Alaydy Name: Ahmed Abdel Fattah Name: Mohamed Seif Elnasr Age: 26 Age: 37 Age: 23 Age: 26 Born in: Cairo Born in: Cairo Born in: Kuwait Born in: Cairo Position: Middle blocker Position: Libero Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Lang.: Arabic Club debut: El Tayran (Cairo) in 1978 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: El Shams (Cairo) in 2000 - Intl. debut: Youth Club debut: Zamalek (Giza) in 1999 - Intl. debut: World Championship (Argentina) in 2002 - Hobby: Squash, Boys World Championship (Thiland) in 2003 - Hobby: League (Various Countries) in 2006 - Lang.: Arabic, football - Lang.: Arbic, English - Favourites: Book: Chess - Lang.: Arabic - Favourites: Book: Science, Food: English - Favourites: Book: History, Food: Pizza, Movie: History & Religious, Food: Fast food, Movie: Action, Chicken, meat, rice, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other Love stories, Music: Oriental, Other sports: Football Music: Slow music, Other sports: Football sports: Tennis

7 Ashraf 8 S. Fathy 17 M Elhosseiny 18 Daabousi Name: Ashraf Abouelhassan Name: Saleh Youssef Name: Mohamed Thakil Name: Mohamed El Daabousi Age: 34 Age: 27 Age: 23 Age: 22 Born in: Giza Born in: Giza Born in: Cairo Born in: Damanhour Position: Setter Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Zamalek (Giza) in 1986 - Intl. debut: World Club debut: Zamalek (Giza) in 1995 - Intl. debut: Grand Club debut: Madina Nassr (Cairo) in 1995 - Lang.: Arabic Club debut: Damanhour (Alex) in 1993 - Intl. debut: Championship Qualification (Nigeria) in 1992 - Hobby: Champions Cup (Japan) in 2005 - Hobby: Tennis - Lang.: African Youth Boys’ Championship (South Africa) in Sports - Lang.: Arabic, English - Favourites: Book: Arabic - Favourites: Book: History, Food: Italian, Movie: 2004 - Hobby: Swimming - Lang.: Arabic - Favourites: History, Food: Oriental, Movie: Action, Music: Soft, Batman and Robin, Music: Oriental, Other sports: Tennis Book: Comedies, Food: Egyptian, Movie: Action, Music: Other sports: Football Tamer Hosni, Other sports: Tennis

9 Rashad 10 M. Elkoumy 19 Meawad 20 M. Issa Name: Rashad Atia Name: Mahmoud Elkoumy Name: Mohamed Moawad Name: Mohamed Issa Age: 23 Age: 26 Age: 22 Age: 21 Born in: - Born in: Cairo Born in: Cairo Born in: Alexandria Position: - Position: Wing spiker Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Club debut: El Gaish - Lang.: Arabic Club debut: in 1995 - Intl. debut: Youth Men World Club debut: El Shams (Cairo) in 1996 - Intl. debut: Youth Boys Lang.: Arabic Championship (Cairo) in 2001 - Hobby: Swimming African Championship (South Africa) in 2004 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Arabic, Franch, English - Favourites: Food: - Lang.: Arabic, English, French - Favourites: Book: Romance, Pizza, Movie: Love stories, Music: Soft, Other sports: Food: French , Arabic , English , Spanish, Movie: Message in Swimming a Bottle, Music: Tamer Hosni, Other sports: Football

68 69 List of Honours Iran Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2006 21 The Iranian men’s national team has already had an 1998 19 excellent year, having qualified for the 2010 FIVB World 1970 21 Championships in Italy and won silver at the 15th Asian Championship to earn a berth at the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. Iran qualified for the Grand Champions Cup by finishing second in Asia because winners Japan had already secured their place as hosts of the tournament.

The team is led by captain Alireza Nadi, who at 29 World League Olympic Games years of age is the oldest member of the squad and the person the younger players turn to most for direction and inspiration on the court. Another pivotal player for the Iranian team is setter , who is the oil that keeps the Iranian attacking machine in optimum working condition. Another key to the team’s success is the familiarity and camaraderie of the players, seven of whom play for Asian powerhouse Paykan , winners of the last four AVC Club Championships and four Iranian Volleyball Super League titles. World Cup Cont. Championships 1991 11 2009 2 One of the strongest teams in Asia for many years, Iran 2007 6 has recently become all the more powerful under the 2005 6 guidance of 38-year-old head coach Hossein Madani. 2003 3 2001 5 1999 5 1997 6 1995 4 1993 5 1991 7

Team Roster

Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club Coach Team Officials 1 Gholami Adel A. Gholami 09/02/1986 195 89 341 325 1 1 2 SAIPA 2 Mohammadi Javad J. Mohammadi 22/03/1985 202 83 343 327 1 1 2 FOULAD UROMIA Hossein Maadani (IRI) Manager: Amir Khoshkhabar 3 Hosseini Mohammad M.R. Hosseini L 23/08/1994 194 83 320 313 Mahshahr Hossein Maadani is a former Iranian Coach: Hossein Madani Gharehlar 4 Marouf Saeid S. Marouf 20/10/1985 189 68 332 320 1 4 2 7 SAIPA national team player, joining the squad Assistant Coach: Behrouz Ataei Nouri 5 Zadvan Mansour M. Zadvan 06/01/1987 202 90 350 327 1 1 2 AZAD UNIVERSITY in 1987 and taking part in the Asian 6 Mousavi Mohammad M. Mousavi 22/08/1987 203 86 348 328 2 5 7 PAYKAN Games in Hiroshima, Japan in 1994. Doctor: Ali Farhadi 7 Zarini Hamzeh H. Zarini 18/10/1985 198 91 336 318 1 4 5 PETROSHIMI MAHSHAHR Trainer/Therapist: Mahmoud Afshardoust 8 Shirkavand Ahsanollah A. Shirkavand L 18/03/1981 180 75 300 296 1 4 5 PAYKAN Before being named head coach of the men’s national 9 Nadi Alireza A. Nadi C 02/09/1980 200 90 334 320 2 10 12 PAYKAN team in 2008, Maadani played for the following clubs: 10 Andalib Mohssen M. Andalib 17/07/1983 191 83 336 307 2 5 7 SAIPA Esteglal, Seda Sima, Bank Keshavarzi, Bonyad Shahid, 11 Sadeghiany Arash A. Sadeghiany 15/02/1985 191 90 347 327 3 8 11 PETROSHIMI Homa, Fat’h, Peykan and Daneshgah Azad. Match Schedule 12 Nazari Farhad F. Nazari 22/05/1984 195 85 345 331 SAIPA Maadani was born on May 7, 1971 and has a degree 13 Mahdavi Mehdi M. Mahdavi 13/02/1984 190 82 330 315 4 4 FOULAD UROMIA in chemical engineering. 18.11 13:30 Osaka EGY-IRI 14 Keshavarzi Arash A. Keshavarzi 16/02/1987 198 91 320 305 4 5 9 AZAD UNIVERSITY 19.11 13:30 Osaka IRI-BRA 15 Kamalvand Arash A. Kamalvand 11/05/1989 201 91 320 315 6 6 12 Paykan 21.11 18:00 Nagoya JPN-IRI 16 Alizadeh Abdolreza A. Alizadeh L 19/02/1987 183 74 319 290 2 4 6 PEGAH 17 Davoodi Rahman R. Davoodi 18/02/1988 195 95 335 320 4 3 7 Paykan 22.11 14:30 Nagoya IRI-POL 18 Kazem Mohammad M.M. Kazem 28/09/1985 200 92 350 323 1 2 3 Paykan 23.11 13:30 Nagoya CUB-IRI 19 Ghaemi Farhad F. Ghaemi 28/08/1989 197 73 330 315 8 8 BEEM 20 Salafzoon Farhad F. Salafzoon 06/12/1992 200 81 320 313 8 8 Mahshahr 70 71 Iran www.fivb.org

1 A. Gholami 2 J. Mohammadi 11 A. Sadeghiany 12 F. Nazari Name: Adel Gholami Name: Javad Mohammadi Name: Arash Sadeghiany Name: Farhad Nazari Age: 23 Age: 24 Age: 24 Age: 25 Born in: Mahmoudabad Born in: - Born in: Shahryar Born in: - Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Universal Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Abfai (Amol) in 2000 - Intl. debut: Lang.: Persian, English - Favourites: Book: History, Lang.: Farsi, English India in 2003 - Hobby: Travel - Lang.: Farsi, English - Food: Persian, Movie: History, Music: Funk, Other Favourites: Movie: Ekhrajiha, Music: Pop, Other sports: sports: Soccer Football

3 M.R. Hosseini 4 S. Marouf 13 M. Mahdavi 14 A. Keshavarzi Name: Mohammad Hosseini Name: Saeid Marouf Name: Name: Arash Keshavarzi Age: 15 Age: 24 Age: 25 Age: 22 Born in: - Born in: Born in: - Born in: Tehran Position: - Position: Setter Position: - Position: Universal Club debut: Shahrdar Eslalmshahr (Eslamashahr) in 2001 - Intl. debut: Tehran, Iran in 2005 - Lang.: Persian, English

5 M. Zadvan 6 M. Mousavi 15 A. Kamalvand 16 A. Alizadeh Name: Mansour Zadvan Name: Mohammad Mousavi Name: Arash Kamalvand Name: Abdolreza Alizadeh Age: 22 Age: 22 Age: 20 Age: 22 Born in: - Born in: Aligodarz Born in: - Born in: Oromiyeh Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Position: - Position: Libero Lang.: Farsi, English - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Club debut: Pakan (Iran) in 2003 - Intl. debut: Youth Kebab, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: Soccer Championships in 2006 - Hobby: Driving - Lang.: Persian, English - Favourites: Book: Romance, Food: Kebab, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports:

7 H. Zarini 8 A. Shirkavand 17 R. Davoodi 18 M.M. Kazem Name: Hamzeh Zarini Name: Ahsanollah Shirkavand Name: Rahman Davoodi Name: Mohammad Kazem Age: 24 Age: 28 Age: 21 Age: 24 Born in: Teheran Born in: Varamin Born in: Malayer Born in: Tehran Position: Wing spiker Position: - Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Intl. debut: in 2005 - Hobby: Reading - Lang.: Persian, Club debut: Perspolice in 1992 - Intl. debut: in 1998 - Club debut: Pakan (Tehran) in 2002 - Intl. debut: Azadi Club debut: Bargh Tehran (Tehran) in 1998 - Intl. debut: English - Favourites: Book: History, Food: Persian, Hobby: Hiking - Lang.: Persian, English - Favourites: Sport Complex (Tehran) in 2004 - Lang.: Farsi, English India in 2002 - Hobby: Cinema - Lang.: Persian, English Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: Soccer Book: Novels, Food: Persian, Movie: Romantic, Music: - Favourites: Book: Romance novels, Food: Gheimeh, - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: All, Movie: Action, Rock, Other sports: Soccer fesenjan, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: Music: Light, Other sports: Football Swimming

9 A. Nadi 10 M. Andalib 19 F. Ghaemi 20 F. Salafzoon Name: Alireza Nadi Name: Mohssen Andalib Name: Name: Farhad Salafzoon Age: 29 Age: 26 Age: 20 Age: 16 Born in: Tehran Born in: Isfahan Born in: Gonbad Born in: - Position: Middle blocker Position: Universal Position: - Position: Setter Club debut: Homa - Lang.: Persian, English - Favourites: Club debut: Saipa in 1994 - Intl. debut: in 2002 - Lang.: Club debut: Gonbad (Gonbad) in 2004 - Intl. debut: Youth Club debut: Faraz (Kermanshah) - Hobby: Sports - Lang.: Book: Novels, Food: Persian, Movie: Comedy, Music: Persian, English - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Championships in 2006 - Lang.: Persian, English, Turkish Farsi, English - Favourites: Food: Fast food, Movie: Counrty, Other sports: Soccer Iranian, Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: - Favourites: Book: History, Food: Chektermah (Turkish), Indian, Music: Pop, Other sports: Basketball Football Movie: Action, Music: Pop, Other sports: Riding

72 73 List of Honours Japan Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2005 4 2006 8 1966 5 The year 2008 was an unforgettable year for Japan. The 2001 5 2002 9 1962 5 team qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the first 1997 5 1998 13 1960 8 time in 16 years to realize a long-cherished dream. 1993 4 1994 9 1990 11 Tatsuya Ueta, coach of the Japanese men’s national 1986 10 team since the squad failed to qualify for the 2004 1982 4 Olympics, has been working tirelessly for his players 1978 11 1974 3 ever since. 1970 3 Ueta has tried to improve his players’ attitude towards being top athletes and to boost their morale. World League Olympic Games Furthermore, he has worked on improving physical 2009 15 1996 9 2008 11 fitness and fundamental skills with combined offence. 2008 6 1995 8 1992 6 As a result, Japan has improved remarkably in every 2007 13 1994 8 1988 10 aspect through many international matches, making 2006 13 1993 6 1984 7 their way to the 2008 Olympics. 2005 10 1992 10 1976 4 2004 10 1991 7 1972 1 While the 2008 Olympics did not turn out the way Japan 2003 13 1990 6 1968 2 had hoped, it provided young players such as Yusuke 2002 13 1964 3 Ishijima, Yu Koshikawa, Kunihiro Shimizu, Tatsuya 2001 9 Fukuzawa invaluable experience and confidence. 1997 12 Following the Beijing Games, Team Japan brought in some new blood, such as Yusuke Matsuta and Kazuki World Cup Cont. Championships Maeda. The duo joins a competent squad that is 2007 9 1965 4 2009 1 gradually emerging from a long dark tunnel. 2003 9 2007 2 1999 10 2005 1 In 2009, Japan has had mixed results, finishing second 1995 5 2003 6 to last in the World League before being bounced from 1991 4 2001 3 next year’s competition by Egypt during a two-match 1989 6 1999 4 qualification playoff. 1985 6 1997 2 1981 6 1995 1 But the team qualified for the 2010 World Championship 1977 2 1993 3 in Italy and most recently won its seventh gold medal at 1969 2 1991 1 the Asian Senior Men’s Championship in the Philippines. The team is now ready to put in a strong showing at the World Grand Champions Cup. Team Roster

Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club Team Officials 1 Tanabe Osamu Tanabe 10/04/1979 181 73 335 310 51 51 Toray Arrows 2 Abe Yuta Abe 08/08/1981 191 82 340 325 21 94 115 Toray Arrows Coach Manager: Kenji Toriba 3 Nagano Takeshi Nagano 11/07/1985 176 68 315 290 9 9 4 Matsuta Yusuke Matsuta 31/10/1982 200 95 347 340 26 26 Panasonic Panthers Tatsuya Ueta (JPN) Coach: Tatsuya Ueta Assistant Coach: Naoki Morokuma 5 Usami Daisuke Usami C 29/03/1979 184 83 330 320 5 124 129 Panasonic Panthers The Japan Volleyball Association 6 Suga Naoya Suga 17/05/1985 178 82 325 310 JT Thunders appointed Tatsuya Ueta as head coach Doctor: Mitsutoshi Hayashi 7 Inoue Yusuke Inoue 05/08/1983 173 68 315 300 12 12 Sakai Blazers of the Japanese men’s national team in Trainer/Therapist: Kosaku Kurihara 8 Maeda Kazuki Maeda 17/08/1983 186 74 336 323 22 22 FC Tokyo 2004, immediately after the squad failed 9 Aizawa Hisashi Aizawa 08/03/1986 195 86 353 335 Toray Arrows to qualify for the Athens Olympics. 10 Yako Daisuke Yako 07/10/1988 193 87 355 330 Tokai University 11 Matsumoto Yoshihiko Matsumoto 07/01/1981 193 80 350 335 5 73 78 Sakai Blazers The former junior men’s national team coach has Match Schedule 12 Yamamura Kota Yamamura 20/10/1980 205 96 345 330 5 11 131 147 since worked tirelessly with the senior squad, 13 Shimizu Kunihiro Shimizu 11/08/1986 192 98 348 330 5 62 67 Panasonic Panthers introducing a progressive and physically stringent 18.11 19:00 Osaka JPN-POL 14 Fukuzawa Tatsuya Fukuzawa 01/07/1986 189 86 357 345 5 43 48 Panasonic Panthers training regime that includes many tips and lessons 19.11 19:00 Osaka EGY-JPN 15 Tomimatsu Takaaki Tomimatsu 20/07/1984 191 85 340 330 68 68 Toray Arrows he’s learned studying the game abroad. 21.11 18:00 Nagoya JPN-IRI 16 Ishijima Yusuke Gottsu 09/01/1984 197 102 345 330 5 11 77 93 Sakai Blazers Ueta was born in Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four 17 Koshikawa Yu Koshikawa 30/06/1984 189 88 347 330 5 11 102 118 Palla Volo PADOVA 22.11 18:00 Nagoya JPN-CUB 18 Yoneyama Yuta Yoneyama 29/08/1984 185 80 340 315 24 24 Toray Arrows main islands. He started playing Volleyball at the age 23.11 19:00 Nagoya BRA-JPN of 12 and developed into an astute middle blocker. 19 Furuta Shiro Furuta 29/01/1988 188 88 350 330 4 4 Hosei University 20 Yasunaga Takuya Yasunaga 27/03/1990 192 88 353 322 Tokai University 74 75 Japan www.fivb.org

1 Tanabe 2 Abe 11 Matsumoto 12 Yamamura Name: Osamu Tanabe Name: Yuta Abe Name: Yoshihiko Matsumoto Name: Kota Yamamura Age: 30 Age: 28 Age: 28 Age: 29 Born in: Hiroshima Born in: Ibaraki Born in: Nagano Born in: Tokyo Position: Libero Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Yasukita Jr. High (Hiroshima) in 1986 - Intl. Club debut: Oshima Jr. High (Ibaraki) in 1993 - Intl. Club debut: Togakushi Jr. High (Nagano) in 1993 - Intl. Club debut: Nakai JVC (Gumma) in 1989 - Intl. debut: debut: in 2005 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: debut: World Grand Champions Cup (Nagoya) in 2001 debut: in 2006 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Food: 14th Asian Games (Busan, Korea) in 2002 - Hobby: Magazines, Food: Japanese, Movie: Titanic, Music: - Hobby: Karaoke - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Japanese, Movie: Perfect Storm, Music: Namie Amuro, Watching people - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Pop / Kobukuro, Other sports: Ochiai Hiromitsu (Coach Magazines, Food: Meat, Sushi, Music: Japanese pops / Other sports: Alpine Skiing / Ichiro The Copy Cat, Food: Fruit, Movie: Japanese , Music: of Chunichi Dragons baseball team) Kobukuro, Other sports: Ichiro Ketsumeishi, Other sports: Baseball

3 Nagano 4 Matsuta 13 Shimizu 14 Fukuzawa Name: Takeshi Nagano Name: Yusuke Matsuta Name: Kunihiro Shimizu Name: Tatsuya Fukuzawa Age: 24 Age: 27 Age: 23 Age: 23 Born in: Nagasaki Born in: Fukui Born in: Fukui Born in: Kyoto Position: Libero Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Hiu Jr. Volleyball Club (Nagasaki) in 1992 Club debut: Koshimawari Jr. High (Fukui) in 1995 - Intl. Club debut: Kamiusaka Junior VB Club (Fukui) in 1996 Club debut: Fushimi Jr. High (Kyoto) in 1997 - Intl. debut: - Intl. debut: Universiade Belgrade 2009 (Belgrade ) in debut: in 2001 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Food: - Intl. debut: in 2005 - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Japanese - World League in 2005 - Hobby: Snowboarding, music 2009 - Hobby: Television - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Meat, Movie: Comedy, Music: Rock / Coldplay, Other Favourites: Book: Tokyo Tower, Food: Meat, Music: Rap - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Novels, Food: Food: Meat, Movie: Armageddon, Music: B’z sports: Tiger Woods Japanese, Music: Ketumeishi, m-flo, Other sports: Baseball, Ichiro

5 Usami 6 Suga 15 Tomimatsu 16 Gottsu Name: Daisuke Usami Name: Naoya Suga Name: Takaaki Tomimatsu Name: Yusuke Ishijima Age: 30 Age: 24 Age: 25 Age: 25 Born in: Akita Born in: Nagasaki Born in: Miyagi Born in: Ibaraki Position: Setter Position: Setter Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Jumonji club (Akita) in 1990 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Ariake Jr. High Volleyball Club (Nagasaki) Club debut: Sambongi Junior Sports Club in 1994 - Club debut: Matsubushi Daini Jr. High (Saitama) in 1996 Asian Youth Championship (Chinese Taipei) in 1997 - in 1997 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Novels, Intl. debut: World League 07 in 2007 - Hobby: Portable - Intl. debut: in 2006 - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Hobby: Driving - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Food: Japanese, Movie: All, Music: Greeeen, Arashi, games - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Comics, Book: Novels, Food: Japanese food, seafood, meat Novels, Food: Meat, Movie: Comedy Other sports: Soccer, Baseball / Hideki Matsui Food: Curry, Movie: Action, Music: Rock, Other sports: dishes, parfait, Movie: Comedies, Other sports: Hideki Soccer Matsui

7 Inoue 8 Maeda 17 Koshikawa 18 Yoneyama Name: Yusuke Inoue Name: Kazuki Maeda Name: Yu Koshikawa Name: Yuta Yoneyama Age: 26 Age: 26 Age: 25 Age: 25 Born in: Okayama Born in: Ishikawa Born in: Ishikawa Born in: Saitama Position: Libero Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Nadazaki Flippers (Okayama) in 1993 - Club debut: Tenjinyama Elementary School (Ishikawa) Club debut: Moroe Junior (Kanazawa) in 1995 - Intl. Club debut: Arashiyama Gattu Junior Club (Saitama) Hobby: Driving - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Food: in 1993 - Intl. debut: 2009 World League in 2009 - Hobby: debut: Asian Youth Championship in 2002 - Hobby: in 1991 - Hobby: Golf - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Meat, Movie: Comedy, Music: Pop / Kobukuro, Other Driving - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Novels, Travel - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Sports, Book: Novels, Food: Chinese, Movie: Action, Music: Rip sports: Ichiro Food: Meat, Movie: Scary movies, Other sports: Soccer Food: Chicken, sushi, Music: Yuzu, Other sports: Slyme, Shoto Shimizu, Other sports: Golf, table tennis, Baseball, soccer Ichiro

9 Aizawa 10 Yako 19 Furuta 20 Yasunaga Name: Hisashi Aizawa Name: Daisuke Yako Name: Shiro Furuta Name: Takuya Yasunaga Age: 23 Age: 21 Age: 21 Age: 19 Born in: Miyagi Born in: Saitama Born in: Hokkaido Born in: Chiba Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Position: Wing spiker Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Kashimadai Sports Club (Miyagi) in 1996 Club debut: Osagami Jr. High (Saitama) in 2001 - Intl. Club debut: Kanahori Eagles (Hokkaido) in 1996 - Hobby: Club debut: Tokai Urayasu High VB Club (Chiba) in 2005 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: debut: in 2002 - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Japanese - Shopping - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Book: Fashion - Intl. debut: 2008 Asian Jr. Men’s Championship in 2008 Food: Pasta, Music: Ko Shibasaki, Other sports: Naoko Favourites: Food: Omelette, eggplant dishes, oysters, Magazines, Food: All, Movie: Comedies, Music: EXILE, - Hobby: Shopping - Lang.: Japanese - Favourites: Food: Takahashi (marathon runner) Movie: Shawshank Redemption, Other sports: Soccer, Black Eyed Peas, Other sports: Cristiano Ronaldo Chinese, Movie: Waterboys, Music: Ellegarden, Other baseball, basketball sports: Baseball, Kazuhiro Kiyohara

76 77 List of Honours Poland Grand Champions Cup World Championships 2006 2 1960 4 Poland boasts a strong Volleyball tradition. The men’s 2002 9 1956 4 national team has played an important role among the 1998 17 1952 7 elite teams since its first appearance in the inaugural 1986 9 1949 4 World Championships in 1949 held in . 1982 6 1978 8 Fourth place at the tournament was repeated in France 1974 1 (1956) and again in Brazil (1960). 1970 5 This year the team is under the guidance of new coach 1966 6 1962 6 , who replaced Raul Lozano in February. The team has had mixed results this year, finishing 11th at the World League but winning its qualification World League Olympic Games tournament for the 2010 World Championships in Italy, 2009 11 1999 8 2008 5 where it will attempt to do one better than the silver 2008 5 1998 10 2004 5 medal it won last time around, and claiming gold at the 2007 4 1996 11 2009 European Championships in Turkey to qualify for 2006 7 1980 4 the 2009 World Grand Champions Cup in Japan. 2005 4 1976 1 2004 7 1972 9 In 2008, Poland swept through its Olympic qualifying 2003 9 1968 5 tournament in Portugal, winning all three matches to 2002 5 book a berth at the Beijing Games, where they lost to 2001 7 Italy in the quarterfinals to finish joint fifth. A fifth-place 2000 8 finish was also the team’s outcome at the 2008 World League. World Cup Cont. Championships After winning the continental crown earlier this year to 1981 4 2009 1 1981 2 1977 4 2007 11 1979 2 qualify for the Grand Champions Cup, Poland believes it 1969 8 2005 5 1977 2 has what it takes to battle the world’s best teams and to 1965 2 2003 5 1975 2 factor in the medals. 2001 5 1971 6 1995 6 1967 3 1993 7 1963 6 1991 7 1958 6 Coach 1989 7 1955 6 1985 4 1950 6 Daniel Castellani (ARG) 1983 2 Daniel Castellani was just 32 years old when he was offered the job as Team Roster coach of the Argentine national team. Sixteen years later, in February 2009, Nr Name/First Name Nickname Birthdate H W S B OG WC OTH Total Club the Board of the Polish Volleyball Team Officials 1 Nowakowski 18/12/1987 205 90 355 340 10 10 Domex Tytan AZS Federation entrusted him with the task of coaching 2 Lomacz Grzegorz Lomacz 01/10/1987 187 80 335 315 23 23 Jastrzebski Wegiel the national team. Expectations are high following Manager: Witold Roman 3 Gruszka 08/03/1977 206 102 355 330 10 20 215 245 Delecta Poland’s success under former coach Raul Lozano. Coach: Daniel Castellani 4 Plinski Daniel Plinski 10/12/1978 205 99 350 330 11 57 68 PGE Skra Assistant Coach: Krzysztof Stelmach 5 Zagumny Pawel Zagumny C 18/10/1977 200 88 336 317 12 14 206 232 Panathinaikos Coaching career: 6 Kurek 29/08/1988 205 87 352 326 32 32 PGE Skra Doctor: Jan Sokal –– Won the Pan-American Games with Argentina – 7 Jarosz 10/02/1987 195 84 353 328 33 33 ZAKSA 1995 Trainer/Therapist: Aleksander Bielecki 8 Wika Marcin Wika 09/11/1983 194 86 335 310 7 19 26 Asseco –– Helped Argentina qualify for the Olympics – 1996 9 Bartman 04/05/1987 198 83 352 320 25 25 Gazprom Buenos Aires 10 Gromadowski Marcel Gromadowski 19/12/1985 200 94 348 318 5 5 Volley –– Argentina Championship – 2003 and 2004 Bolivar 11 Drzyzga 03/01/1990 196 90 325 304 8 25 33 AZS Signia Match Schedule 12 Woicki Pawel Woicki 29/06/1983 182 75 315 300 7 12 19 Delecta –– Poland Championship – 2007 and 2008 Skra 13 Klos Karol Klos 08/08/1989 200 80 357 326 8 18 26 Politechnika Belchatów 18.11 19:00 Osaka JPN-POL 14 Ruciak Michal Ruciak 22/08/1983 189 75 336 305 10 10 ZAKSA –– Poland Cup winner – 2007, 2009 Skra Belchatów 19.11 15:30 Osaka POL-CUB 15 Gacek L 16/09/1978 185 78 325 305 11 67 78 PGE Skra –– Third place in Masters’ League – 2008 Skra 21.11 12:30 Nagoya BRA-POL 16 Ignaczak L 15/05/1978 188 86 330 315 12 3 135 150 Asecco Resovia Belchatów 17 Bakiewicz Michal Bakiewicz 22/03/1981 196 79 345 335 6 11 92 109 PGE Skra 22.11 14:30 Nagoya IRI-POL 18 Mozdzonek Marcin Mozdzonek 09/02/1985 211 93 358 338 7 80 87 PGE Skra –– Became head coach of Poland men’s national team 23.11 15:30 Nagoya POL-EGY – 2009 19 Zatorski Pawel Zatorski L 21/06/1990 184 77 305 289 8 25 33 Domex Tytan AZS 20 Buszek Rafal Buszek 28/04/1987 194 81 345 327 Neckermann AZS 78 79 Poland www.fivb.org

1 Nowakowski 2 Lomacz 11 Drzyzga 12 Woicki Name: Piotr Nowakowski Name: Grzegorz Lomacz Name: Fabian Drzyzga Name: Pawel Woicki Age: 21 Age: 22 Age: 19 Age: 26 Born in: Zyrardow Born in: Ostroleka Born in: Bordeaux Born in: Tomaszow Mazowiecki Position: Middle blocker Position: Setter Position: Setter Position: Setter Club debut: LKS Wrzos (Miedzyborow) - Lang.: Polish, Club debut: UKS OLIMP (Ostroleka) in 1998 - Intl. debut: Club debut: AZS Olsztyn (Olsztyn) in 2002 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Lechia (Tomaszow Maz) in 1995 - Intl. debut: English Poland in 2002 - Lang.: Polish - Favourites: Book: Lord of EEVZA (Latvia) in 2006 - Hobby: Music, watching NBA ECH 2005 (Rome) in 2002 - Hobby: Computer, music - the Rings, Food: Pizza, Music: Pop - Lang.: Polish - Favourites: Book: Quo Vadis, Food: Lang.: Polish, German - Favourites: Book: Adventure, Seafood, Movie: Honey Food: Spaghetti, Movie: Polish comedies, Music: Jazz, Other sports: Football

3 Gruszka 4 Plinski 13 Klos 14 Ruciak Name: Piotr Gruszka Name: Daniel Plinski Name: Karol Klos Name: Michal Ruciak Age: 32 Age: 30 Age: 20 Age: 26 Born in: Oswiecim Born in: Puck Born in: Warszawa Born in: Swinoujscie Position: Universal Position: Middle blocker Position: Middle blocker Position: Wing spiker Club debut: Hejnal (Kety) in 1993 - Intl. debut: Olympic Club debut: Korab (Puck) in 1994 - Intl. debut: WL 2005 Club debut: KS Metro Warszawa (Warsaw) in 2005 Club debut: Maraton (Swinoujscie) in 2002 - Intl. debut: Games Qualification Tournament (Patras, Greece) in 1995 (Bydgoszcz) in 2005 - Hobby: Tennis, Beach Volleyball - Lang.: - Intl. debut: EEVZAl (Latvia) in 2006 - Lang.: Polish, in 2004 - Hobby: Car Racing - Lang.: Polish - Favourites: - Hobby: Sports, music - Lang.: Polish, Italian, Eng, Fr. - Polish, English - Favourites: Book: My Life - Lance Armstrong, English - Favourites: Food: Pizza, Movie: 8 mile, Other Book: Camouflage - Colin Forbes, Movie: Lord of the Favourites: Book: Science fiction, Food: Risotto, Movie: Food: Spaghetti, Movie: Testosterone, Cast Away, Music: sports: Football Rings, Music: Pop Comedies, Music: Pearl Jam, Other sports: Tennis Dzem, Other sports: Football, Beach Volleyball, tennis

5 Zagumny 6 Kurek 15 Gacek 16 Ignaczak Name: Pawel Zagumny Name: Bartosz Kurek Name: Piotr Gacek Name: Krzysztof Ignaczak Age: 32 Age: 21 Age: 31 Age: 31 Born in: Jaslo Born in: Walbrzych Born in: Grodkow Born in: Walbrzych Position: Setter Position: Universal Position: Libero Position: Libero Club debut: MDK (Warszawa) in 1997 - Intl. debut: Club debut: AZS PWSZ (Nysa) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Mechanik (Nysa) in 1992 - Intl. debut: WL Club debut: KS Chelmiec (Walbrzych) in 1997 - Intl. Men’s Junior World Championship (Bahrain) in 1998 - Poland in 2004 - Hobby: Sports - Lang.: Polish, English 2005 (Bydgoszcz) in 2005 - Hobby: Music, telephone debut: World League (Various cities) in 2000 - Hobby: Lang.: Polish, Italian - Favourites: Book: Forsyth, Food: - Favourites: Book: Harry Potter, Food: Pizza calls - Lang.: Polish - Favourites: Food: Sushi, Movie: Sport - Lang.: Polish - Favourites: Food: Pizza, Movie: Hungarian, Movie: Robert de Niro, Music: Soul, Other Seven, Music: Metallica, Other sports: Football, tennis Sandra Bullock, Other sports: Basketball sports: Basketball

7 Jarosz 8 Wika 17 Bakiewicz 18 Mozdzonek Name: Jakub Jarosz Name: Marcin Wika Name: Michal Bakiewicz Name: Marcin Mozdzonek Age: 22 Age: 26 Age: 28 Age: 24 Born in: Nysa Born in: Puck Born in: Piotrkow Tryb Born in: Olsztyn Position: Universal Position: Universal Position: Universal Position: Middle blocker Club debut: Gwardia (Wroclaw) in 2001 - Intl. debut: Club debut: Korab (Puck) in 1995 - Intl. debut: EQTOG Club debut: SMS (Rzeszow) in 2001 - Intl. debut: in 2001 Club debut: AZS (Olsztyn) in 1999 - Intl. debut: Junior Poland in 2002 - Hobby: Volleyball - Lang.: Polish, (Poland) in 2008 - Hobby: Sports, movies - Lang.: Polish, - Hobby: Music - Lang.: Polish, English - Favourites: European Championship (Zagreb, Croatia) in 2003 English - Favourites: Book: Lord of the Rings, Food: English - Favourites: Book: Angels and Demons, Food: Movie: Without a Face, Music: Techno - Hobby: Sport - Lang.: Polish, English, Russian - Seafood, Music: Reggae Pasta with spinach Favourites: Movie: Spiderman, Music: Doda, Other sports: Water Polo

9 Bartman 10 Gromadowski 19 Zatorski 20 Buszek Name: Zbigniew Bartman Name: Marcel Gromadowski Name: Pawel Zatorski Name: Rafal Buszek Age: 22 Age: 23 Age: 19 Age: 22 Born in: Warszawa Born in: Wroclaw Born in: Lódz Born in: Debica Position: Universal Position: Opposite spiker Position: Libero Position: Universal Club debut: Metro (Warsaw) in 1997 - Intl. debut: Oualification Club debut: Gwardia (Wroclaw) in 2000 - Intl. debut: WL Club debut: Skra Belchatów (Belchatów) in 2000 - Intl. Club debut: Blekitni (Ropczyce) in 2000 - Intl. debut: WL Tournament Youth ECH (Poland) in 2004 - Hobby: Cars, 2005 (Bzdgoszcz) in 2005 - Lang.: Polish - Favourites: debut: EEVZA (Latvia) in 2006 - Hobby: internet - Lang.: 2009 (Various cities) in 2009 - Lang.: Polish computers, travel, movies - Lang.: Polish, Eng, Ital, German Food: Italian Polish, English - Favourites: Book: Da Vinci Code, Food: - Favourites: Book: Quo Vadis, Food: Italian, Movie: Men on Italian , Movie: Testament of Materese Fire, Music: Timberlake, Other sports: Volleyball

80 81 Star Players Star Players www.fivb.org

Mir Saeid Marouf Lakarani (IRI) Yu Koshikawa (JPN) Mir Saeid Marouf Lakarani was born on October 20, Yu Koshikawa, who has Head coach Tatsuya Ueta has 1985 in Uromieh, Iran. started to play for the Italian pinned his hopes on Koshikawa, Serie A2 club Pallavolo but the fan favourite has not He started playing Volleyball professionally at the age Padova this September, is lived up to Ueta’s expectations of 17 with his hometown team Pegah, before joining one of the most appreciated due to his inconsistent Sanam Tehran from 2004-2006. He currently plays for player in Japan. performances. However, Ueta Paykan Tehran on loan from Saipa Tehran. believes that Koshikawa has His career at the national level greater potential than he is He was part of the Iranian U19 team that won silver at started when he was selected showing now. the Asian Youth Championship in 2003 and the bronze for Japan’s youth team. It is at the World Youth Championship the same year. no exaggeration to say that His specialities are spiking and Koshikawa has Volleyball blocking, making use of his Marouf is a very smart setter who played a pivotal running through his Veins. strong shoulders. In particular, role in helping Iran win gold at the 2008 AVC Cup and his explosive jump serves are finish runner-up to Japan at the 2009 Asian Senior Koshikawa was born into a internationally recognised. Men’s Championships. Volleyball family. His father is a coach for a 9-man system Once Koshikawa stakes out a Marouf was named the Most Popular Player at the Volleyball team and his sister definite position on the court, 2009 Asian Championship and the Best Setter at the played in the V-League. In Japan’s squad will be much 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament. addition, his mother still plays stronger. Volleyball in a local mama-san Volleyball team.

Pawel Zagumny (POL) Wilfredo Leon (CUB) Pawel Zagumny was born on to professional team Czarni Rising Cuban star Wilfredo Leon is expected to be October 18, 1977 in Jaszlo, Radom, who won the Polish one of the key players at the FIVB Men’s World Grand Poland and is the son of Championship the following Champions Cup and his recent selection as the Most Lech Zagumny, the coach year and finished second in Valuable Player at the NORCECA Men’s Continental of Polish Volleyball club AZS 1997. Championships has added weight to that argument. Politechnika Warszawa. He then played for Bosman The “baby” of the Cuban team at only 16 years of age, Currently playing for club Morze Szczecin for three years Leon was a sensation at this year’s FIVB Men’s Junior Panathinaikos in Greece, before moving to Italian club World Championships and the FIVB World League, Pawal first suited up for the Edilbasso Padua in 2000. He claiming the Best Server Award in the FIVB World Polish national team in 1998. returned to Poland to play for League Final Round with an outstanding 10 aces in Mlekpol AZS Olsztyn three four matches while also finishing third in scoring. He In 2006, he received the years later. then went on to earn Best Receiver honors as Cuba Golden Cross of Merit for went unbeaten in NORCECA qualifying for the FIVB his achievements in sport. Zagumny was named Best 2010 Men’s World Championships. Setter at the 2006 World Zagumny began his playing Championships, the 2007 FIVB Leon is the youngest player registered for the FIVB career in 1992 with the junior World League and the 2009 Men’s World Grand Champions Cup, and having club MKS MDK Warszawa. European Championships. finished as Best Spiker at the NORCECA Men’s His talent was quickly seen Continental Championships while also receiving the and in 1995 at the age of “Rising Star” award, big things are again expected 18 he was transferred of the youngster during November in Japan. 82 83 Star Players Volleyball History, Facts & Dates www.fivb.org

1895 1946 Sérgio Dutra Dos Santos (Sérgio) (BRA) Volleyball is born at the YMCA in Holyoke, Poland, France, Czechoslovakia, USA, USSR and Massachusetts, by William G. Morgan, a New Romania set up the first Autonomous Volleyball The Brazilian libero is a seven-time World League Yorker born in 1870. Commission. champion (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009) and was named Most Valuable Player at this 1896 1947 year’s tournament. Another American, Alfred T. Halstead, proposes The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) “Volleyball” as a more appropriate name for the sport is founded by 14 National Federations in Paris and The 34-year-old native of Nova Londrina has also instead of the original “Mintonette.” elects Paul Libaud as its first President. The founders won five South American titles (2001, 2003, 2005, are USA, France, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Egypt, Italy, 2007 and 2009), an Olympic gold in Athens, and World 1898 Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Championship crowns in 2002 and 2006. Canada adopts Volleyball for its recreational Brazil, Uruguay and Yugoslavia. programs. Sergio is a natural leader and along with other 1948 1908 First Men’s European Championships are held in veterans on the team such as Giba, he is helping Franklin H. Brown introduces Volleyball in Japan. Rome. to bring along all the fresh young talent that coach Bernardinho brought in at the beginning of the new 1910 1949 Olympic cycle. Elwood S. Brown introduces Volleyball in the The International Olympic Committee adopts Philippines and Dr. J. Howard Croker introduces Volleyball as a non Olympic sport. After helping Brazil win its 8th World League trophy “This competition is very important for this new Volleyball in China. and its 27th South American title earlier this year, group of players,” Sergio said. “The team, with its First Men’s World Championships in Prague. USSR Sergio is determined to also get his hands on the new values, can be tested once more. It will be very 1913 crowned champions. coveted Grand Champions Cup. difficult against strong teams but we will play to win Volleyball is adopted at the first Far Eastern Games the championship.” in Manila. First Women’s European Championships in Prague. USSR crowned champions. 1918 Six-a-side Volleyball is adopted. Introduction of the three player attack and the penetration of the back court setter. Hamdy Awad (EGY) 1922 The three hits per side rule is adopted. 1951 Hamdy Awad, 37, one of the most experienced Hands can pass over the net under certain conditions players in the current Egyptian team and team The first known Volleyball and Basketball association (block). captain for the past 12 years, played with his first is created in Czechoslovakia. team when he was only 17. 1952 1928 First Women’s World Championship held in Moscow. As a member of the national team, he has participated The American Volleyball Association is created. USSR crowned champions. in four World Championships, the 2000 Olympic The first USA National Volleyball Championships are 1955 Games and three World Cups. played at the Brooklyn Central YMCA. Volleyball enters the program of the second Pan American Games in Mexico City. He led Egypt to the Grand Champions Cup in 1929 The Asian Confederation is created. Japan in both 2005 and 2009, as well as to the 2005 Men’s Volleyball is adopted at the second Central Mediterranean Games in Almeria, Spain, where Egypt American and Caribbean Games in Havana, Cuba. 1956 became the first African nation to win a gold medal at Men’s and Women’s World Championships are held an international championship. That same year Egypt 1933 together for the first time in Paris with 24 Men’s and regained the African Nations championship for the Women’s Volleyball is played at the Central American 17 Women’s teams. first time in 22 years, a trophy that the team won again and Caribbean Games in . in 2007 and 2009. Under Awad’s leadership, Egypt 1957 also won the gold medal at the All Africa Games in 1934 IOC session in Sofia recognizes Volleyball as an 2003 and 2007. He participated in the World League The first Volleyball International Committee is created Olympic sport and FIVB as the sole worldwide under the Field Handball Federation. Volleyball governing body in all its disciplines on in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and helped Egypt qualify for September 24. its first ever World League Final in 2010.

84 85 Volleyball History, Facts & Dates Volleyball History, Facts & Dates www.fivb.org

1961 1977 1995 2004 IOC sessions and Japan OCOG in Athens add First Junior (Under-21) Men’s and Women’s World Volleyball celebrates its 100th birthday. China’s Women win the Volleyball Olympic title in Volleyball to the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Championships are held in Brazil. Athens for the second time following their victory 20 1997 years earlier in Los Angeles. Brazil’s Men also win 1963 1980 Beach Volleyball’s World Championships are held in for the second time, their first Olympic title being European Confederation is created as a Zone First FIVB rules of the game are adopted in French Los Angeles with total Prize Money of USD 600,000 claimed in 1992. Commission. and Spanish at Moscow Congress. for both genders. 2006 1964 1984 The eighth edition of the World League increases its Dr. Rubén Acosta is unanimously reelected as First Olympic Volleyball Competitions for Men and Dr. Rubén Acosta is elected President to replace the Prize Money to USD 8 million. President of the FIVB by delegates representing 196 Women are held in Tokyo. Japan Women win gold founder Paul Libaud. of the FIVB’s 219 National Federations at the 30th FIVB medal, USSR Men win gold medal. FIVB headquarters are moved from Paris to Lausanne, 1998 World Congress in Tokyo, Japan. Switzerland. Rally Point System and Libero officially accepted Adoption of the new blocking rule (hands over the and played at the World Championships in Tokyo, The Brazilian Men defend their World Championship net, block multiple contacts allowed). 1985 following the 26th FIVB World Congress. crown by beating Poland in the final in Tokyo. Russia’s The first major Volleyball World Plan is approved to Women win their sixth World Championship and their 1965 bring Volleyball into the professional sports arena. 1999 first since 1990. The first Men’s World Cup is held in Warsaw. Cuban Women become World Cup champions for The African Zone Commission is created by Chadly The first World Gala is held in Beijing and the fourth time and the Russian Men’s team claim 2007 Zouiten. with China Women’s Olympic champions facing the important first world title under their new flag. Brazil’s Men defend their World Cup title in Japan, All Stars World team. while the Italian Women win their first World Cup title. 1966 2000 The Central American and Caribbean Zone 1990 The Rally Point System is extended to Beach Brazil claim the World League for the fifth straight Commission is founded by Dr. Rubén Acosta. First Volleyball World League with eight countries Volleyball. year and sixth time overall. They pick up a winner’s and USD 1 million in Prize Money. cheque for USD 1 million. 1968 of USA, of Italy and USA and Canada join the Central American Zone to 1992 three-time Olympic champion of Cuba The Netherlands win the World Grand Prix title found the NORCECA Confederation at the proposal Beach Volleyball FIVB World Series recreated as a are celebrated as best players of the century. in Ningbo, China, their first trophy in major FIVB of Dr. Rubén Acosta. World Tour to determine the World Champions (Men competition. The Europeans and Women). Events are held in Japan, Puerto Rico, 2001 become the sixth team to 1972 Brazil, Italy and Australia. Beach Volleyball is confirmed win the renowned annual The Five Continental Zone Sport Commissions are as a full Olympic program Women’s title and snap recognized as Continental Confederations. 1993 sport. Brazil’s run of three straight FIVB becomes the largest sports organization in the triumphs. 1973 world with 210 affiliated member associations. First Women’s World Cup held in Uruguay. 2002 The FIVB World Congress 2008 The first World Women’s Grand Prix with eight in Buenos Aires adopts a The FIVB opens its new 1974 countries and USD 1 million in Prize Money is held premises of “Château Men’s and Women’s World Championships are Code of Conduct and rules in eight Asian cities. against conflicts of interest Les Tourelles” in May, broadcast on live TV from Mexico to Japan and many a gorgeous building by other countries for the first time. and introduces height limit 1994 competitions (185 cm for men, Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland. 1975 The ball can touch any part of the body including the 175 for women). feet. The service zone is extended to the full outline. Africa Women’s Championships start in Dakar, The 31 st FIVB World Senegal. Italy win the FIVB Women’s IOC session in Monte Carlo includes Beach Volleyball World Championships for the Congress takes place in into the 1996 Olympic Games program as a full medal first time in Berlin. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1976 in June. Olympic Games are played in Montreal for the first discipline for Women (16 pairs) and Men (24 pairs). 2003 time with the three-ball system, created by Dr. Rubén Brazil women win Olympic Acosta, and three hits after the block are permitted. The Centennial Congress in Athens approves the Brazil Men win all 11 games World Plan 2001 proposed by President Rubén in Japan to claim the World gold for the first time while USA men became Olympic Width of the net is reduced to nine meters. Acosta with a view to improved management skills Cup title for the first time. of National Federations and to create National China Women do likewise to champion for the third time Professional Leagues and Beach Volleyball circuits win their first World Cup title. and the first since 1988. in as many countries as possible.

86 87 FIVB History FIVB History www.fivb.org

The Founding Olympic Games The Move Mr. Wei becomes third FIVB President A decisive moment in the history of Volleyball’s Testifying to the prestige attained in 1959 at the IOC The FIVB moved its headquarters to Lausanne, In the words of the former President Dr. Rubén Acosta, first 100 years was certainly that of the founding of session in Munich, Volleyball was included as a Switzerland, the same year, bringing it closer to the FIVB entered the third phase of its life with the the FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball) medal sport in the Olympic Games. The game was the International Olympic Committee. Soon after, election of Jizhong Wei as President in 2008, after 37 when in April 1947 representatives of 14 countries played with 10 Men’s and six Women’s teams for Dr. Rubén Acosta became Volleyball’s ambassador, and 24 years years of continuous improvement under (Belgium, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, the first time at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where the relentlessly promoting the sport in worldwide President Libaud and Dr. Acosta respectively. The Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Japanese Women and USSR Men won gold medals. competitions held in the five continents (Asia, Africa, crowning achievement Romania, Uruguay, USA and Yugoslavia) met in Consequently, the Volleyball phenomenon started in Europe, South America and NORCECA). after 24 years of Paris under the leadership of France’s Paul Libaud Japan soon after the Games. Thirty-two years later, peerless leadership to found the FIVB. Libaud, President of the French at the Atlanta Games, Beach Volleyball, one of the from Dr. Acosta was Federation, was elected first President of the FIVB. world’s fastest-growing sports, made its Olympic From game to great TV spectacle in realising the dream The headquarters were established in Paris, where debut as Volleyball’s successful second discipline. At the same time, Volleyball went through a number of creating a fitting they remained for the first 37 years until 1984 when of modifications to change the face of the sport. The home for Volleyball’s Dr. Rubén Acosta of Mexico took over the Presidency need to make it more telegenic in order to attract future generations. from Libaud. The World Cup fans and sponsors led to major modifications in The result - the In 1965, Poland hosted the first World Cup for Men 1998, such as the introduction of the Rally Point creation of “Château before Uruguay hosted the first World Cup for Women System, the Libero player, the “let ball in play” rule L e s To u r e l l e s , ” in 1973. Following the first two editions for Men and and many other new rules that make the game much FIVB’s stunning new the first edition for Women, Japan gave new life to more attractive. headquarters on Men’s and Women’s World Cups by staging the third the banks of Lake and second editions respectively in 1977. From there Geneva in Lausanne, on until today, with the sponsorship of Fuji Television, Switzerland. the quadrennial World Cup has become a major event and qualifies three teams for the Olympic Games. Today and tomorrow In 2009, the FIVB consists of 220 affiliated Federations Members rising and governs, manages and promotes all forms of From the 14 founding members the FIVB grew to 45 in Volleyball and Beach 1955, 89 in 1964 and 101 in 1968, distributed over the Volleyball worldwide five continents: 25 in Europe, 25 in Asia, 25 in Africa, 11 through tournaments in South America, and 15 in NORCECA (North, Central such as the World America and the Caribbean). Today the Federation Championships, World counts 220 affiliated National Federations including League, World Grand 53 in Africa, 65 in Asia, 56 in Europe, 34 in NORCECA Prix, SWATCH FIVB and 12 in South America. World Tour, World Cup, Grand Champions Cup, Junior and Youth Dr. Rubén Acosta succeeds President Paul Libaud The Beginning of the FIVB World Championships tournaments, Club One of the big turning points for the FIVB came in 1984 World Championships The first World Championships were organized in when President Paul Libaud, by then in his 80s and and, of course, the 1949 for Men and 1952 for Women and both have highly acclaimed for having founded the Federation Olympics. remained the biggest events in Volleyball, along and making it a significant reality on the world sports with the Olympic Games, since 1964. The world stage, resigned after 37 years of leadership. Dr. Rubén competitions immediately generated enthusiasm, Acosta was elected new President to succeed Libaud and the number of players and National Federations at the World Congress in Long Beach, California. affiliated with the FIVB grew by leaps and bounds. Volleyball fever had caught on just about everywhere and increased rapidly. FIVB promoted events began to multiply. Château Les Tourelles 88 89 FIVB Properties FIVB Properties www.fivb.org

FIVB Club World Championships SWATCH FIVB World Championships International FIVB events seven consecutive weekends in 43 cities across the globe and competing for more than USD 20 million in The FIVB Men’s Club World Championships, which Staged every two years, the SWATCH FIVB Beach prize money. The 2009 Final Round was contested by was back on the international Volleyball calendar in Volleyball World Championships feature the brightest VOLLEYBALL six teams in Belgrade through July 22-26. The total 2009 after last featuring in 1992, features the best club stars of the SWATCH FIVB World Tour, with 48 teams of attendance for the 2007 edition was 685,400 fans, from each continent who do battle over two rounds each gender taking part. The 2011 World Championships with more than 1.3 billion TV viewers and 21 live with 16 matches in total, including 12 Preliminary are due to take place in Rome, Italy with total prize FIVB World Championships broadcasters across 61 territories. Round matches and four matches in the Final Round money of $1 million. The chosen city will be hoping to with a total prize money pool of US$750’000 on offer. emulate the huge success of the previous editions of the The Men’s and Women’s World Championships, SWATCH FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, staged every four years, are the most important FIVB World Cup which were held in 2009 - Stavanger, Norway, 2007 - Volleyball competitions as they are preceded by a The first step in the Olympic Games qualifiyng Gstaad, Switzerland, 2005 - Berlin, Germany, 2003 - Rio global qualification process that for the 2010 World process commences with the World Cup, the BEACH VOLLEYBALL de Janeiro, Brazil, 2001 - Klagenfurt, Austria, 1999 - Championships will involve more than 200 national quadrennial round-robin event that showcases the Marseille, France, 1997 - Los Angeles, USA. teams. The world’s best 24 national teams of each very best 12 men’s and 12 women’s national teams gender compete in the finals. In 2010, the men’s in the world. Japan and television partner Fuji TV SWATCH FIVB World Tour Championships is set for Italy, the women’s for Japan. host an event that grips the nation and produces FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup incredible television ratings. The top three teams in The SWATCH FIVB World Tour is an annual tour that A brand new FIVB property, the Beach Volleyball the men’s and women’s competitions earn berths in in 2009 began in April with the Kia Open- Brasilia World Cup is played over a three-year time span FIVB World League the Olympic Games Volleyball Tournaments. The next and finished with the Thailand Open in Phuket in including all countries and national federations. Volleyball’s flagship annual event, started by the FIVB World Cup is in 2011. November. The 14 Men’s events and 16 Women’s The Beach Volleyball World Cup is disputed at the in 1990, is a spectacular showcase for the crème events throughout 2009 generated $7.1 million in prize Continental level and at the international level and de la crème of men’s Volleyball. The 2009 edition FIVB World Grand Prix money. Qualification for the Olympic Games Beach provides a new opportunity to qualify for the Olympic featured 16 countries playing 106 matches over Volleyball Tournament can be earned through points Games. The first edition is all set to launch in 2010 The annual international Volleyball competition won on the World Tour. building up to the 2012 London Olympic Games. involving the world’s best female players this year saw 12 national teams play a total of 69 matches over four consecutive weekends in 10 cities. The Final Round took place in Tokyo, Japan, with six teams playing a round-robin format through August 19-23. In 2008, there were 205 countries and territories received footage through live TV and news. In total, there was 530 hours of first-run television.

FIVB World Grand Champions Cup Hosts Japan, the Continental Champions from the African, European, NORCECA and Asian Confederations and a wild card come together for these quadrennial round-robin competitions for Men and Women. The hosts and television partner NTV produce a stunning Volleyball spectacle to see who is the Champion of Champions.

FIVB World League Italy 1990 SWATCH FIVB World Championships Gstaad 2007

90 91 Rules of the Game Rules of the Game www.fivb.org

Rally point system Intervals between sets With the Rally Point System (sometimes referred All intervals between sets are for three minutes. The to as RPS), the team winning a rally scores a point interval between the second and third set can be regardless of which team is serving. When a team extended up to 10 minutes at the request of the organizer. wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve. The last Olympic Games played with the “sideout” Coach movements system was in Atlanta 1996. The coach may, as well as other team members, give Match format instructions to players on the court while sitting on the bench. The coach may also give these instructions by The match format for international Volleyball standing or walking within the free zone of his or her competitions is the best of five sets to 25 points for team’s bench up to the warm up area, provided that he sets one to four and to 15 points for set five, with all or she does not disturb or delay the match. sets requiring a two point advantage (unlimited). This new scoring system was introduced after the 1998 Screening FIVB World Congress held in Tokyo. The players of the serving team must not prevent their Libero player opponents through individual or collective screening from seeing the server or the flight path of the ball. The Libero is a specialist defensive player, dressed in a different color who can replace any player in a Other initiatives back row position. The Libero is not allowed to serve, block or attack, and can set only from the back row. A newly designed three-colour ball by Mikasa, with the same weight, pressure and dimensions but with For new Libero rule, please refer to page 10. a revamped technical composition that includes indentations on the surface, was used for the very “Let service in play” first time at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. If, when serving, the ball touches the net and The full Rules of the Game text for Volleyball can be continues to the oppo¬site side, the play continues. found at the official FIVB website (www.fivb.org).

Touching the net Touching the net with the body is not a fault except when playing the ball or interfering with the play.

Timeouts Each team is entitled to a maximum of two timeouts and all timeouts last for 30 seconds. For FIVB world and official competitions, during sets one to four, two additional 60-second technical timeouts are applied automatically, when the leading team reaches the eighth and 16th points. In the deciding fifth set, there are no technical timeouts, with only two timeouts of 30-seconds duration allowed to be requested by each team.

92 93 Referee’s Signals Referee’s Signals www.fivb.org

Technical indications Player’s faults

Team to serve Time-out End of set (or match) Substitution Blocking fault Attack-hit fault Net touched or screening by player

Judgment on the ball Reaching Ball touched beyond the net (flag signals)

Sanctions

Ball “in” Ball “out” Ball touched Ball “in” (flag signals) Ball “out” (flag signals)

Ball handling Expulsion Misconduct Penalty Disqualification

Catch Double contact Double fault and replay Delay Warning + Delay Penalty

Mrs. Zorica Bjelic

94 95 FIVB Officials www.fivb.org

Women’s World Grand Champions Cup

Control Committee Women’s Event Control Committee President Mr. Francesco FRANCHI (ITA) Event Director Ms. Gabrielle van ZWIETEN (FIVB) Venue Operations Delegate Mr. Katsumi WAKAO (JPN) Medical Delegate Dr. Annie PEYTAVIN (FRA) Referee Delegate Mr. Gavriel KRAUS (ISR) Referee Subc. Mr. Tom BLUE (USA) Press Delegate Mr. Richard BAKER (FIVB) FIVB Official Photographer Mr. Mauro de SANCTIS (ITA)

Referees Women’s Event International Referee Mrs. Zorica BJELIC (SRB) International Referee Mrs. Patricia SALVATORE (USA) International Referee Mr. Laert Francisco DE SOUZA (BRA) International Referee Mr. Umit SOKULLU (TUR) International Referee Mr. Arnaldo Manuel OLIVEIRA DE ROCHA (POR) International Referee Mr. Andrei ZENOVICH (RUS) International Referee Mr. Liu JIANG (CHN) International Referee Mr. Nasr SHAABAN (EGY) International Referee Mr. Osamu SAKAIDE (JPN)

Men’s World Grand Champions Cup

Control Committee Men’s Event Control Committee President Mr. André MEYER (LUX) Event Director Mr. Piero REBAUDENGO (FIVB) Venue Operations Delegate Mr. Aleksandar BORICIC (SRB) Venue Operations Subc. Mrs. Marta CENTENO DE SAJCHE (GUA) Medical Delegate Dr. Manfred HOLZGRAEFE (GER) Referee Delegate Mr. Hassan MOHAMMED (EGY) Referee Subc. Mr. Josebel PALMEIRIM (BRA) Press Delegate Mr. Richard BAKER (FIVB) FIVB Official Photographer Mr. Mauro de SANCTIS (ITA)

Referees Men’s Event International Referee Mr. Kun-Tae KIM (KOR) International Referee Mr. Simone SANTI (ITA) International Referee Mr. Carlos Alberto CIMINO (BRA) International Referee Mr. Béla HOBOR (HUN) International Referee Mr. José Rogelio VELEZ MERCADO (PUR) International Referee Mr. Rolando CHOLAKIAN (ARG) International Referee Mr. Patrick DEREGNAUCOURT (FRA) International Referee Mr. Ibrahim AL NAAMA (QAT) International Referee Mr. Akihiko TANO (JPN)

96 With advanced aerodynamic engineering, the new MIKASA MVA200 offers better stability and ball control. The world’s top Volleyball athletes agree...The best has arrived! MEDIA GUIDE 2009 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup Cup Champions Grand World FIVB 2009 MEDIA GUIDE

THE MIKASA MVA200 Officially certified FIVB Competition Ball

Women: 10 - 15 November (Tokyo & Fukuoka, Japan) www.fi vb.org Men: 18 - 23 November (Osaka & Nagoya, Japan)