Official Bulletin No. 22 December 2007 Edition in English FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE 2007 FIVB World Cup, a formula for success and are on the top of the tion is. For example, world after the long 2007 World thirteen different cit- Cup challenge. Italy, Brazil and ies to be involved and the travel schedule of the U.S.A. are now qualified for 24 teams and all the the Women’s tournament of the officials... FIVB, JVA in , while and Fuji Television Brazil, Russia and Bulgaria won had to give their best the tickets for the Men’s event. to set in place this magnificent tourna- The long journey started on 2nd Novem- ment. It was a success. ber in and finished in the same city 510,000 spectators on 2nd December. Undoubtedly, the 2007 watched the matches FIVB World Cup has set a new standard sitting in the venues of quality for sports events, granting in , amazing everywhere full house audiences, great figures which stress matches and outstanding television cov- the promotion made erage. by the joint effort of the FIVB, Japan Vol- The double triumphs for Italy and Brazil leyball Association are the final pictures of a great adventure, and Fuji Television. It the first step on the path to the Olympic is a big goal, because Games. in the meantime in Japan we were reg- The FIVB President Dr. Rubén Acosta H. The FIVB President, Dr. Rubén Acosta H, istering fantastic awards MVP “” of Brazil cannot hide his personal satisfaction: “It market share per- is really difficult to explain how delicate centages, exceeding and complicated a World Cup organisa- 20 % for many matches. Moreover, the dent Acosta showed for the very first time international televi- the new Mikasa ball, which could be used sion coverage was a in Beijing. Its use has to be approved by huge success. Fuji Tel- the Board of Administration, but it could evision has done an be a real revolution for the next Olympic outstanding job, offer- Games. ing the first ever high definition production for a World Cup. The In this Issue footage has been dis- Volleyball tributed to 205 coun- tries and territories • 2007 FIVB World Cup, in 5 continents. We a formula for success managed to cover more than 433 million • 2007 FIVB Men’s World Cup television households. The Brazilian ride That means 1 out of • 2007 FIVB Women’s World Cup 15 of the world’s pop- The Italian dream ulation.” A new ball The World Cup, as • SWATCH FIVB World Tour first Olympic step, The best of the 2007 season was the perfect occa- Women’s awards sion to introduce one Quick Sets of the probable pro- tagonists of the next • Voices and faces from Olympic Games. Dur- Volleyball ing a lunch meeting President Acosta World Cup and archive videos with the International and the new Mikasa ball by Andrea Zorzi Media in Tokyo, Presi- www.fivb.org Volleyball

volleyball men 2007 FIVB Men’s World Cup The Brazilian ride

With an amazing tournament after the also won the previous World Cup (2003) first loss against the U.S.A., Brazil has again in the Japanese metropolis, the conquered another FIVB top tourna- same city where they were crowned World ment and its Olympic berth for 2008. Champions in 2006 and where they won Thanks to the World Cup, Beijing has the Grand Champions Cup in 2005. The now also Russia and Bulgaria on its reigning Olympic and World Champions entry list. Except for the host country Brazil are the second team to win back- , Brazil is the only nation before to-back World Cups after the former So- the Continental Olympic Qualifica- viet Union, which won the trophy in 1977 tion Tournaments to have both teams and 1981, along with 1965 and 1991. The already qualified for the competition eve of the World Cup was not easy for the next August. team, since the well-known World League MVP Ricardinho Garcia was not included The Brazilians, who have dominated the in the list of 12, with Marcelinho Elgarten sport since 2001, won their second straight and the Head Coach’s son, , World Cup thanks to 10 victories in a row. chosen as setters. The media pressure was They began the Japanese mission with a heavy, but the team was strong enough stumble on the first day, falling 3-0 against to overcome any problems and go for the the U.S.A. But then they focused on their gold. team, and one more year to go. This is a game and pulled out all the stops against “We have two World Championships, two great conclusion to the seventh year. We the other opponents. Only Japan, on the World Cups and our aim is to end this cy- have to party for one night and from to- last day of the tournament, managed to cle with two Olympic gold medals” said morrow think about Beijing and improve win one set before an enthusiastic crowd Head Coach Bernardinho Rezende after what we are lacking.” of 10,000. Tokyo apparently turned into the last match against Japan. “Now we are “Giba” tracked for the press his future steps a “home venue” for the Brazilians as they at the end of the seventh year with this after winning another FIVB MVP award,

Match Results / 1st Round Match Results / 3rd Round Match Results / 4th Round Date Teams Result Date Teams Result Date Teams Result Site A - Saitama Site A - Fukuoka Site A - Tokyo (A) 18-Nov - Korea 3-2 25-Nov - Puerto Rico 3-2 30-Nov Argentina - Brazil 0-3 18-Nov Argentina - Russia 0-3 25-Nov Spain - Russia 0-3 30-Nov Bulgaria - Russia 3-2 18-Nov Japan - Tunisia 2-3 25-Nov Japan - Egypt 3-2 30-Nov Japan - U.S.A. 0-3 19-Nov Australia - Russia 0-3 26-Nov Argentina - Spain 0-3 01-Dec Argentina - U.S.A. 0-3 19-Nov Argentina - Tunisia 3-1 26-Nov Egypt - Russia 0-3 01-Dec Brazil - Russia 3-0 19-Nov Japan - Korea 3-0 26-Nov Japan - Puerto Rico 0-3 01-Dec Japan - Bulgaria 1-3 20-Nov Russia - Tunisia 3-1 27-Nov Argentina - Egypt 3-1 02-Dec Argentina - Bulgaria 0-3 20-Nov Argentina - Korea 3-0 27-Nov Puerto Rico - Russia 0-3 02-Dec Russia - U.S.A. 3-2 20-Nov Japan - Australia 0-3 27-Nov Japan - Spain 1-3 02-Dec Japan - Brazil 1-3 Site B - Matsumoto Site B - Okayama Site B - Tokyo (B) 18-Nov Egypt - Puerto Rico 0-3 25-Nov Tunisia - U.S.A. 1-3 30-Nov Puerto Rico - Tunisia 3-0 18-Nov Bulgaria - Spain 3-1 25-Nov Bulgaria - Korea 3-0 30-Nov Egypt - Korea 3-1 18-Nov Brazil - U.S.A. 0-3 25-Nov Brazil - Australia 3-0 30-Nov Australia - Spain 0-3 19-Nov Bulgaria - Egypt 3-1 26-Nov Korea - U.S.A. 0-3 01-Dec Egypt - Tunisia 3-1 19-Nov Puerto Rico - U.S.A. 3-1 26-Nov Australia - Bulgaria 0-3 01-Dec Spain - Korea 3-0 19-Nov Brazil - Spain 3-0 26-Nov Brazil - Tunisia 3-0 01-Dec Australia - Puerto Rico 3-1 20-Nov Bulgaria - Puerto Rico 3-1 27-Nov Australia - U.S.A. 0-3 02-Dec Spain - Tunisia 3-1 20-Nov Spain - U.S.A. 3-1 27-Nov Bulgaria - Tunisia 3-1 02-Dec Korea - Puerto Rico 3-2 20-Nov Brazil - Egypt 3-0 27-Nov Brazil - Korea 3-0 02-Dec Australia - Egypt 1-3

Match Results / 2nd Round Date Teams Result Site A - Hiroshima 22-Nov Korea - Russia 0-3 22-Nov Australia - Tunisia 3-1 22-Nov Japan - Argentina 3-0 23-Nov Korea - Tunisia 3-2 23-Nov Argentina - Australia 3-1 23-Nov Japan - Russia 0-3 Site B - Toyama 22-Nov Egypt - Spain 0-3 22-Nov Brazil - Puerto Rico 3-0 (left to right) Dante Guimaraes Amaral (BRA) Best Spiker, Jose Luis Molto (ESP) Best 22-Nov Bulgaria - U.S.A. 2-3 Blocker, Semen Poltavskiy (RUS) Best Server, Matey Kaziyski (BUL) MVP nomination, 23-Nov Spain - Puerto Rico 0-3 Gilberto Godoy Filho (BRA) MVP, Sergio Dutra Santos (BRA) Best Libero and MVP 23-Nov Brazil - Bulgaria 3-0 nomination, Yusuke Ishijima (JAP) “Rising Star award”, Hector Soto (PUR) Best Scorer, 23-Nov Egypt - U.S.A. 0-3 Miguel Angel Falasca (SPA) Best Setter

2 FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007 2007 FIVB Men’s World Cup

Games. Russia recovered from its previ- ous losses to Bulgaria and Brazil by beat- ing the USA team 3-2 in the top match of the 11th day. They managed to finish just behind Brazil, the same result earned dur- ing the 2007 World League Final Round in Men’s World Cup Honours - Medals Katowice. A nice goal for Alekno’s team, Year Location 1st 2nd 3rd since the Continental Olympic Qualifica- 2007 Tokyo (JPN) Brazil Russia Bulgaria 2003 Tokyo (JPN) Brazil Italy Serbia & Mont. tions for Europe are surely the toughest. 1999 Tokyo (JPN) Russia Cuba Italy The wild card entry Bulgaria easily defeat- 1995 Tokyo (JPN) Italy Netherlands Brazil ed South American runner up Argentina 1991 Tokyo (JPN) U.S.S.R. Cuba U.S.A. 3-0 on the same day, but eventually lost 1989 Tokyo (JPN) Cuba Italy U.S.S.R. the chance to the silver. Anyway, the Olym- 1985 Tokyo (JPN) U.S.A. U.S.S.R. Czechoslovakia pic goal was probably more important for 1981 Tokyo (JPN) U.S.S.R. Cuba Brazil the team, since this is a historical target for 1977 Tokyo (JPN) U.S.S.R. Japan Cuba Bulgaria: they missed the last two editions, 1969 Berlin (DDR) D.D.R. Japan U.S.S.R. after the 7th place in 1996. 1965 Warsaw (POL) U.S.S.R. Czechoslovakia U.S.A. Captain gives his comments for the 4th place earned in the Japan finished its World Cup in 9th posi- Berezhko of Russia spikes tournament: “In this World Cup we could tion. The team had more expectations at against Vladimir Nikolov, Ivanov make progress and be better and better.” the beginning, and the set won against and Kaziyski of Bulgaria However both the U.S.A. and Spain (re- Brazil on the last day wasn’t enough to spectively Norceca and Europe champion) compensate. Even so, the team had one like last year for the FIVB World Champi- failed to qualify, eventually arriving close of the best players: awarded by the organ- onships: “Next year Brazil will host the to the podium. izers with the “Rising Star” prize, Yusuke World League Final Round, so that makes Puerto Rico had a piece of podium anyway, Ishijima, better known simply as “Gottsu” our schedule easier. As for my future, I am with the best scorer Soto, and closed their (meaning “tough” or “strong”), who was a thinking of winning the Russian champi- Japanese transfer with an excellent 8th popular winner at the awarding ceremony onship and then playing at the Olympics. position in the FIVB World Ranking. Ar- at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. I am not thinking beyond that.” gentina and Australia showed young and Egypt, Korea and Tunisia closed the stand- Russia and Bulgaria picked up the other willing teams, which give guarantees for ings, but no teams ended with zero victo- two berths for the Beijing 2008 Olympic the future. ries, to testify once more the high level of the competition played in Japan.

Men’s World Cup 2007 Best players MVP: Godoy Filho Gilberto “Giba” BRA Best Scorer: Soto Hector PUR Best Spiker: Amaral Dante BRA Best Blocker: Molto Jose Luis ESP Best Server: Poltavskiy Semen RUS Best Setter: Falasca Miguel Angel ESP Best Libero: Santos Sérgio Dutra BRA

Men’s World Cup 2007 Final ranking 1 Brazil 2 Russia 3 Bulgaria 4 U.S.A.

FIVB Men’s World Cup 2007 - Final Standing  5 Spain Matches Points Sets Spanish setter Rk Country Points Won Lost Won Lost Ratio Won Lost Ratio Miguel Angel 6 Puerto Rico 1 Brazil 21 10 1 852 673 1.266 30 4 7.500 Falasca against 2 Russia 20 9 2 899 742 1.212 29 9 3.222 Korea 7 Argentina 3 Bulgaria 20 9 2 988 881 1.121 29 13 2.231 4 U.S.A. 19 8 3 947 843 1.123 28 12 2.333 8 Australia 5 Spain 18 7 4 848 825 1.028 22 15 1.467 6 Puerto Rico 16 5 6 878 869 1.010 21 19 1.105 9 Japan 7 Argentina 16 5 6 825 876 0.942 15 23 0.652 8 Australia 15 4 7 839 940 0.893 14 25 0.560 10 Egypt 9 Japan 14 3 8 865 923 0.937 14 26 0.538  11 Korea 10 Egypt 14 3 8 829 922 0.899 13 27 0.481 Yusuke Ishijima 11 Korea 13 2 9 818 947 0.864 9 31 0.290 “Gottsu” of Japan 12 Tunisia 12 Tunisia 12 1 10 909 1056 0.861 12 32 0.375 receives

FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007 3 Volleyball

volleyball WOmen 2007 FIVB Women’s World Cup of Brazil spikes The Italian dream

With Aguero’s strong arm and the and Fuji Television offered to the audience speed of MVP , the new and the television spectators an amazing Italian team led by show, with daily entertainment by the best won the World Cup with an amazing international technical schools. pace of the game, losing only two sets in 11 matches. Behind Italy, Brazil and Italy stunned everybody by the maturity of the USA also qualified for the Olympic its game. The European champions and Games. world No. 4 held off a determined chal- lenge from the eighth-ranked Americans The excited smile of Simona Gioli, award- 3-0 in the last match to become only the ed by the FIVB President Dr. Acosta as the fifth country to win the World Cup, after Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, is the former Soviet Union, Japan, China the last image of a passionate adventure. (three times) and Cuba (four times).

The 2007 FIVB Women’s World Cup has The imperfections that once limited the achieved its numerous targets. First, the power and speed of its players seemed assignment of the first three Olympic to have disappeared. Great blocking and berths (after the place granted to China attacking speed of its middle blockers as host country), then the creation of an event that would overcome the success of (headed by the unstoppable “fast” attack the 2003 World Cup, and the design of the Simona Gioli) blended with the security new technical map of Women’s World Vol- of Taismary Aguero’s incomparable of- leyball on the eve of the Olympic Games. A fensive. “I can only say that I am really, record turnout at sports venues and per- really happy for our victory in this World fect cooperation between the FIVB, JVA Cup” said Head Coach Massimo Barbolini. “This is the first time that Italy has been Match Results / 1st Round in the top three teams, so to win it is a Date Teams Result bonus. It was important for us to win the Site A - Tokyo last match because it is a great result to 02-Nov Korea - Serbia 0-3 arrive with 11 wins in a row. I think this 02-Nov Italy - Thailand 3-0 is a wonderful prize for my team and 02-Nov Japan - Dominican Rep. 3-0 my players because they had a wonder- 03-Nov Serbia - Thailand 3-1 ful season. I think they wanted to finish 03-Nov Dominican Rep. - Italy 0-3 in this way. I want to thank my team and 03-Nov Japan - Korea 3-1 staff for the wonderful season I have lived 04-Nov Dominican Rep. - Thailand 3-2 this year.” 04-Nov Italy - Korea 3-0 04-Nov Japan - Serbia 1-3 An incredible game against Serbia on the Site B - Hamamatsu penultimate day gave Brazil the points- 02-Nov Cuba - Kenya 3-0 (left) of the USA ratio advantage to beat the USA for the 02-Nov - U.S.A. 0-3 spikes against Kurihara, Araki silver medal. Some difficulties occurred, and Takeshita of Japan 02-Nov Brazil - Poland 3-0 like when, after the defeat of 3-0 against 03-Nov Cuba - U.S.A. 2-3 03-Nov Peru - Poland 0-3 Match Results / 3rd Round Match Results / 4th Round 03-Nov Brazil - Kenya 3-0 Date Teams Result Date Teams Result 04-Nov Kenya - Peru 0-3 Site A - Sapporo Site A - Nagoya (A) 04-Nov Brazil - Cuba 3-2 09-Nov Italy - Poland 3-0 14-Nov Brazil - Italy 0-3 04-Nov Poland - U.S.A. 1-3 09-Nov Kenya - Serbia 0-3 14-Nov Serbia - U.S.A. 3-1 09-Nov Japan - Peru 3-1 14-Nov Japan - Cuba 1-3 Match Results / 2nd Round 10-Nov Italy - Kenya 3-0 15-Nov Brazil - Serbia 3-0 Date Teams Result 10-Nov Peru - Serbia 0-3 15-Nov Cuba - Italy 0-3 Site A - Osaka 10-Nov Japan - Poland 3-2 15-Nov Japan - U.S.A. 0-3 06-Nov Italy - Serbia 3-2 11-Nov Italy - Peru 3-0 16-Nov Cuba - Serbia 3-1 06-Nov Dominican Rep. - Korea 1-3 11-Nov Poland - Serbia 3-2 16-Nov Italy - U.S.A. 3-0 06-Nov Japan - Thailand 3-0 11-Nov Japan - Kenya 3-0 16-Nov Japan - Brazil 1-3 07-Nov Korea - Thailand 3-0 Site B - Kumamoto Site B - Nagoya (B) 07-Nov Dominican Rep. - Serbia 0-3 09-Nov Brazil - Thailand 3-0 14-Nov Kenya - Thailand 2-3 07-Nov Japan - Italy 0-3 09-Nov Dominican Rep. - U.S.A. 1-3 14-Nov Dominican Rep. - Poland 0-3 Site B - Sendai 09-Nov Cuba - Korea 3-2 14-Nov Korea - Peru 3-0 06-Nov Kenya - U.S.A. 0-3 10-Nov Cuba - Dominican Rep. 3-1 15-Nov Dominican Rep. - Kenya 3-0 06-Nov Cuba - Poland 3-2 10-Nov Thailand - U.S.A. 1-3 15-Nov Peru - Thailand 0-3 06-Nov Brazil - Peru 3-0 10-Nov Brazil - Korea 3-0 15-Nov Korea - Poland 1-3 07-Nov Kenya - Poland 0-3 11-Nov Cuba - Thailand 3-1 16-Nov Dominican Rep. - Peru 3-2 07-Nov Cuba - Peru 3-0 11-Nov Korea - U.S.A. 0-3 16-Nov Poland - Thailand 3-0 07-Nov Brazil - U.S.A. 2-3 11-Nov Brazil - Dominican Rep. 3-0 16-Nov Kenya - Korea 0-3

4 FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007 2007 FIVB Women’s World Cup

With the bronze medal around their necks, the USA team offered a great gift to Jenny . For the former Chi- nese champion it is her third Olympic Games, after the 1984 edition as a pro- tagonist and the 1996 Atlanta event as a Women’s World Cup Honours - Medals head coach who brought China just a step Year Location 1st 2nd 3rd away from gold. 2007 Nagoya (Japan) Italy Brazil U.S.A. 2003 Osaka (Japan) China Brazil USA Cuba ended the World Cup on a winning 1999 Osaka (Japan) Cuba Russia Brazil note by beating Serbia 3-1. The four-time 1995 Osaka (Japan) Cuba Brazil China World Cup winners and reigning Norceca 1991 Osaka (Japan) Cuba China U.S.S.R. champions recovered from losing the first 1989 Nagoya (Japan) Cuba U.S.S.R. China set to defeat the 2006 World Champion- 1985 Tokyo (Japan) China Cuba U.S.S.R. ship bronze medallists, but the victory didn’t give them the chance to have a podi- 1981 Osaka (Japan) China Japan U.S.S.R. um finish. The victory just improved their 1977 Tokyo (Japan) Japan Cuba Korea win-loss record to 8-3 while dropping the 1973 Montevideo (Uruguay) U.S.S.R. Japan Korea European vice champions to 7-4. Even Japan hoped for a better standing While Serbia showed high potential, most- and made an entire nation dream by beat- ly individual, Poland disappointed its fans’ ing Poland 15-12 after a passionate tie- expectations. break. But they didn’t manage to get over the seventh place, despite the new Yanagi- Italy, Head Coach Ze’ Roberto decided for Losing in the beginning against the other moto team showing great progress, wisely the first time in his long career to bring the big teams, they even lost their Head Coach mixing their famous speed with growing full team (and not only the captain Fofao, during the event. requested power. according to the FIVB rule) to the press in fact the Control Committee’s authoriza- conference to explain a puzzling match to tion to urgently fly back to Italy in order to Korea, Dominican Republican, Thailand, the media. assist his ill wife. Peru and Kenya have finished the World Cup with this final standing, postponing their chances to go to Beijing at the Con- tinental Olympic Qualification Tourna- ments.

Women’s World Cup 2007 Best players MVP & Best Blocker: Simona Gioli ITA Best Scorer: Katarzyna Skowronska POL Best Spiker: Nancy Carrillo CUB Best Server: Yanelis Santos CUB Best Setter: Helia Souza “Fofao” BRA Best Libero: ITA

Women’s World Cup 2007 Final ranking 1 Italy 2 Brazil 3 U.S.A. 4 Cuba

FIVB Women’s World Cup 2007 - Final Standing  5 Serbia Matches Points Sets It is the first World Rk Country Points Won Lost Won Lost Ratio Won Lost Ratio Cup victory ever for 6 Poland 1 Italy 22 11 858 604 1.421 33 2 16.500 the “Azzurre” 2 Brazil 20 9 2 891 671 1.328 29 9 3.222 7 Japan 3 U.S.A. 20 9 2 940 821 1.145 28 13 2.154 4 Cuba 19 8 3 1020 951 1.073 28 17 1.647 8 Korea 5 Serbia 18 7 4 910 866 1.051 26 15 1.733 6 Poland 17 6 5 908 820 1.107 23 18 1.278 9 Dominican Rep. 7 Japan 17 6 5 885 866 1.022 21 19 1.105 10 Thailand 8 Korea 15 4 7 825 848 0.973 16 22 0.727  9 Dominican Rep. 14 3 8 797 911 0.875 12 28 0.429 The FIVB President 11 Peru 10 Thailand 13 2 9 784 924 0.848 11 29 0.379 Dr. Rubén Acosta H. 11 Peru 12 1 10 681 855 0.796 6 30 0.200 awards MVP 12 Kenya 12 Kenya 11 11 498 860 0.579 2 33 0.061 Simona Gioli of Italy

FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007 5 Beach Volleyball

beach VOLLEYBALL women 2007 SWATCH FIVB World Tour The best of the season

Led by Brazilians Juliana Felisberta nelly as the SWATCH top server for the Silva and Larissa Franca and reigning 2007 season. Olympic and World champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the Ana Paula claimed the SWATCH serving , the top women’s play- award for the fifth-straight season with ers on the 2007 SWATCH FIVB World her top serve being 83.6 km/h with 114 Tour were announced based on the re- centre court serves over 70.0 km/h. The sults of the voting by SWATCH repre- 35-year old Brazilian was third in the best sentatives, players, coaches, referees offensive category, top hitter, and sports- (left) of Brazil, the 2007 SWATCH top server, with and officials associated with the inter- woman voting. Ana Paula’s name was also SWATCH representative Nadia Waelti national Beach Volleyball circuit. on ballots for best blocker and setter.

For the third-straight season, Juliana and After claiming her 31st SWATCH FIVB teamed with Jen Boss to win the Norwe- Larissa were honored as the top team World Tour team gold medal in Thailand gian grand slam in Stavanger as the low- on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour as the with the 30-year old May-Treanor, Walsh est seeded team ever win a SWATCH FIVB young Brazilians captured five gold med- was also selected as the international cir- World Tour event. The Americans also als in 13 international Beach Volleyball cuit’s best hitter, top blocker and sports- placed second in St. Petersburg Open in starts in 2007 with USD 328,400 in earn- woman of the year for the third-straight Russia. ings, the third-highest annual total in the season. The Phuket title tied the FIVB 16-year history of women’s circuit. record for most team wins as May-Tre- The 21-year old Ludwig teamed with Sara anor and Walsh tied and Goller, who tied for third in the most im- In addition, the 25-year old Larissa was for SWATCH crowns. proved voting with Americans Boss and named the top setter on the SWATCH cir- , to win two SWATCH med- cuit for the second-straight season while May-Treanor, who was the 2005 SWATCH als in Portugal and Austria becoming Ger- finishing second to Walsh who is the most outstanding player, tied Walsh for many’s top-ranked team on the FIVB tour. FIVB’s top hitter in 2007. The SWATCH top offensive and sportswoman honors The Germans also finished as the top Eu- most outstanding player in 2006, Larissa while edging Brazil’s Shelda as the tour’s ropean team on the SWATCH FIVB World also placed third in the voting as the top top defensive player. The 34-year old Tour in terms of earnings (USD 121,500). defensive player and sportswoman while Shelda, who won the previous two defen- receiving votes as most inspirational and sive honors, was voted the SWATCH most Women’s SWATCH FIVB World Tour top offensive player. inspirational player for the third-straight Post-Season Awards 2007 season with May-Treanor and Walsh fin- With May-Treanor and Walsh sharing the ishing second and third in the voting, re- Most Improved Player 1. Tamsin Barnett, Australia award as the SWATCH FIVB World Tour’s spectively. 1. , Germany top offensive player in 2007, the 24-year 3. Sara Goller, Germany old Juliana finished third in the balloting Tamsin Barnett of Australia and Ger- 3. Jen Boss, United States after topping the list in 2006. Juliana also many’s Laura Ludwig were honored as 3. Nicole Branagh, United States received votes in the sportswoman, block- the most improved players on the 2007 Also receiving votes - Nila Ann Hakedal, Nor- ing and hitting balloting. SWATCH FIVB World Tour while 25-year way, Tyra Turner, United States, Ingrid Torlen, Norway, Maria Tsiartsiani, Greece old April Ross of the United States was se- The 29-year old Walsh was honored as the lected as the rookie-of-the year. Most Inspirational 2007 women’s SWATCH most outstanding 1. Shelda Bede, Brazil player as selected by representatives from The 27-year old Barnett captured a gold 2. Kerri Walsh, United States SWATCH and the FIVB. The SWATCH and medal this past May in Seoul with three- 3. Misty May-Treanor, United States FIVB panel also selected Ana Paula Con- time Olympic while Ross Also receiving votes - Larissa Franca, Brazil, Ana Paula Connelly, Brazil, Maria Tsiartsiani, Greece, Sara Montagnolli, Austria, Natalie Cook, April Ross of the United States Australia, Laura Ludwig, Germany, Annie Mar- stretches for the Mikasa tin, Canada, Sara Goller, Germany, Adriana Behar, Brazil, Okka Rau, Germany, Vasso Kara- dassiou, Greece, Jia Tian, China

Rookie of the Year 1. April Ross, United States 2. Dana Cooke, Canada 3. Cristine “Saka” Santanna, Georgia 3. Andrezza “Rtvelo” Martins, Georgia Also receiving votes - Marie Antonelli, Brazil, Maloes Wesselink, Netherlands, Marleen Van Iersel, Netherlands, Diane Pascua, Philippines, Heidi Ilustre, Philippines

Sportswoman of the Year 1. Misty May-Treanor, USA 1. Kerri Walsh, United States 3. Ana Paula Connelly, Brazil 3. Larissa Franca, Brazil 3. Vasso Karadassiou, Greece

6 FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007 2007 SWATCH FIVB World Tour

Also receiving votes - Jia Tian, China, Sara Also receiving votes - Juliana Felisberta Silva, Montagnolli, Austria, Natalie Cook, Australia, Brazil, Inese Jursone, Latvia, Nicole Branagh, Okka Rau, Germany, Juliana Felisberta Silva, United States, Laura Ludwig, Germany, Sara Brazil, Shelda Bede, Brazil, Tyra Turner, United Goller, Germany, Xi Zhang, China, Misty May- States, Maria Tsiartsiani, Greece, Annie Martin, Treanor, United States, Jie Wang, China, Maria Canada, Helke Claasen, Germany Tsiartsiani, Greece, Jen Boss, United States, April Ross, United States, Nila Ann Hakedal, Best Defensive Player Norway, Antje Roder, Germany 1. Misty May-Treanor, United States 2. Shelda Bede, Brazil Women’s SWATCH FIVB World Tour 3. Larissa Franca, Brazil Award Winners 2005-2007 3. Jia Tian, China Also receiving votes - Vasso Karadassiou, Most Outstanding Greece, Okka Rau, Germany, Laura Ludwig, 2007 - Kerri Walsh, United States Germany, Shaylyn Bede, Brazil, Annie Martin, 2006 - Larissa Franca, Brazil Ana Paula Canada, Sara Montagnolli, Austria, Renata 2005 - Misty May-Treanor, United States Connelly Ribeiro, Brazil, Xi Zhang, China, Chen Xue, (left) China Best Blocker digging, 2007 - Kerri Walsh, United States watched by Best Offensive Player 2006 - Walsh, United States Brazilian 1. Kerri Walsh, United States 2005 - Walsh, United States partner 1. Misty May-Treanor, United States Shelda Bede 3. Juliana Felisberta Silva, Brazil Best Defensive Player 3. Ana Paula Connelly, Brazil 2007 - Misty May-Treanor, United States Also receiving votes - Larissa Franca, Brazil, Xi 2006 - Shelda Bede, Brazil Sportsperson Zhang, China, Jia Tian, China, Nicole Branagh, 2005 - Shelda, Brazil 2007 - K. Walsh & Misty May-Treanor, U.S.A. United States 2006 - Kerri Walsh, United States 2005 - Walsh, United States Best Hitter Best Blocker 2007 - Kerri Walsh, United States 1. Kerri Walsh, United States 2006 - Walsh, United States Team of the Year 2. , Brazil 2005 - Walsh, United States 2007 - Juliana Felisberta/Larissa Franca, Brazil 2. , United States 2006 - Juliana/Larissa, Brazil 2005 - Juliana/Larissa, Brazil 2. Jie Wang, China Best Offensive Player Also receiving votes - Juliana Felisberta Silva, 2007 - K. Walsh & Misty May-Treanor, U.S.A. Brazil, Xi Zhang, China, Tyra Turner, United 2006 - Juliana Felisberta Silva, Brazil Top Rookie 2007 - April Ross, United States States, Liesbeth Mouha, Belgium, Stephanie 2005 - May-Treanor, United Statesl Pohl, Germany, Virginie Sarpaux, France, Sab- 2006 - Chen Xue, China ine Swoboda, Austria, Ana Paula Connelly, Bra- 2005 - Talita Antunes, Brazil zil Best Server 2007 - Ana Paula Connelly, Brazil Women’s SWATCH FIVB World Tour 2006 - Ana Paula, Brazil Best Setter 2005 - Ana Paula, Brazil Points Champions 1. Larissa Franca, Brazil 2. Adriana Behar, Brazil Season Team, Country 3. Misty May-Treanor, United States Best Setter 1992-93 /Nancy Reno, U.S.A. 1993-94 Kirby/Liz Masakayan, United States 3. Vasso Karadassiou, Greece 2007 - Larissa Franca, Brazil 1994-95 M. Rodrigues/A. Samuel, Brazil Also receiving votes - Shelda Bede, Brazil, Sara 2006 - Larissa, Brazil 1995-96 /, Brazil Goller, Germany, Kerri Walsh, United States, 2005 - Misty May-Treanor, United States 1996 Pires/Silva, Brazil Teru Saiki, Japan, Emilia Nystrom, Finland, Jia Most Improved Player 1997 Shelda Bede/Adriana Behar, Brazil Tian, China, Ana Paula Connelly, Brazil, Na- 1998 Shelda/Adriana, Brazil 2007 - Tamsin Barnett, Australia talie Cook, Australia, Laura Ludwig, Germany, 1999 Shelda/Adriana, Brazil & Laura Ludwig, Germany Elaine Youngs, United States, Nila Ann Hakedal, 2000 Shelda/Adriana, Brazil Norway 2006 - , Brazil 2001 Shelda/Adriana, Brazil 2005 - Vassiliki Arvaniti, Greece 2002 Misty May/Kerri Walsh, U.S.A. Best Hitter 2003 Ana Paula Connelly/Pires, Brazil 1. Kerri Walsh, United States Most Inspirational 2004 Shelda/Adriana, Brazil 2. Larissa Franca, Brazil 2007 - Shelda Bede, Brazil 2005 Juliana Felisberta/Larissa Franca, Brazil 3. Ana Paula Connelly, Brazil 2006 - Shelda, Brazil 2006 Juliana/Larissa, Brazil 3. Elaine Youngs, United States 2005 - Shelda, Brazil 2007 Juliana/Larissa, Brazil

Larissa Franca (left) and Juliana Felisberta Silva

American Misty May-Treanor, the SWATCH most outstanding player for the Phuket Thailand Open

FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007 7 Calendars

Technical Courses & Seminars Calendar - December 2007 QuickSets DATES COURSE PLACE SPONSOR Dec.1-12 Coach Level I Sudan FIVB Dec.1-13 Coach Level II Iran FIVB

2007 Global Calendar - Competitions and Events - Volleyball & Beach Volleyball Rafael DATES EVENT COUNTRY ORG. M/W Pascual of Spain Dec. 1-2 Challenge Cup Women - Round 2 - Away Various CEV W on Dec. 1-2 CEV Cup Women - 1/16 Finals - Away Various CEV W “Follow Dec. 1-10 18th Cup of Cups Nigeria / Egypt CAVB W me” Dec. 4-6 Indesit European Champions League Various CEV W 2nd Leg - League Round Voices and faces from Volleyball Dec. 10-20 19th Cup of Cups Rwanda CAVB M World Cup and archive videos Dec. 11-13 Indesit European Champions League Various CEV W by Andrea Zorzi 3rd Leg - League Round Andrea Zorzi, the former Italian na- Dec. 11-13 Challenge Cup Men - Round 3 - Home Various CEV M tional Volleyball player, started his blog Dec. 11-13 CEV Cup Women - 1/8 Finals - Home Various CEV W Follow me during the World League and Dec. 11-13 CEV Cup Men - 1/8 Finals - Home Various CEV M the World Grand Prix and continued his Dec. 11-13 Indesit European Champions League Various CEV M interviews during the World Cup. 3rd Leg - League Round Dec. 15-23 Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament Monterrey, Mexico NORCECA W World Cup interviews in Japan: Dec. 15-16 Challenge Cup Women - Round 3 - Home Various CEV W FIVB President Dr. Rubén Acosta H. and Dec. 18-20 Indesit European Champions League Various CEV W Mrs. Malù Acosta, Rafael Pascual (ESP 4th Leg - League Round spiker), (BRA middle Dec. 18-20 Challenge Cup Men - Round 3 - Away Various CEV M blocker), Matey Kaziyski (BUL spiker), Dec. 18-20 CEV Cup Women - 1/8 Finals - Away Various CEV W (USA spiker), Pavel Dec. 18-20 CEV Cup Men - 1/8 Finals - Away Various CEV M Abramov (RUS spiker), Yusuke Ishijima Dec. 18-20 Indesit European Champions League Men Various CEV M - Gottsu (JPN spiker), Antonio Giacobbe 4th Leg - League Round (TUN coach), Marcos Milinkovic (ARG Dec. 22-23 Challenge Cup Women - Round 3 - Away Various CEV W spiker), (US Volleyball CEO), Jan. 2-8 Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament Formosa, Argentina CSV M (CUB former Top athlete), Jan. 3-7 Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament Lima, Peru CSV W (USA defense specialist), Jan. 4-12 Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament Puerto Rico NORCECA M (CUB spiker), Leyla Chi- Jan. 7-13 Continental European Qualification Izmir, CEV M huan (PER spiker), Sammy Kirongo for the 2008 Olympic Games - 3rd Round (KEN coach), Yoshie Takeshita (JPN Jan. 15-20 Continental European Qualification Halle, Germany CEV W setter), Jelena Nikolic (SRB spiker), for the 2008 Olympic Games - 3rd Round Beato Miguel Cruz (DOM coach), Pleu- Jan. 20-30 Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament Algeria CAVB W mjit Thinkaow (THA player), Andino Jan. 22-24 CEV Cup Men - 1/4 Finals - Home Various CEV M Cosiri Rodriguez (DOM player), Shoichi Jan. 22-24 Challenge Cup Men - 1/8 Finals - Home Various CEV M Yanagimoto (JPN Coach), Zoran Terzic Jan. 22-24 Indesit European Champions League Men Various CEV M (SRB coach), Massimo Barbolini (ITA 5th Leg - League Round coach). Jan. 23-24 Indesit European Champions League Women Various CEV W 5th Leg - League Round Jan. 23-24 Challenge Cup Women - 1/8 Finals - Home Various CEV W World Grand Prix interviews made Jan. 23-24 CEV Cup Women - 1/4 Finals - Home Various CEV W in Ningbo, China: Jan. 29 Indesit European Champions League Women Various CEV W (BRA player), Massimo 6th Leg - League Round Barbolini (ITA coach), Katarzyna Skow- Jan. 29-31 CEV Cup Men - 1/4 Finals - Away Various CEV M ronska (POL player), Avital Selinger Jan. 29-31 Challenge Cup Women - 1/8 Finals - Away Various CEV W (NED coach), Lioubov Sokolova (RUS Jan. 29-31 CEV Cup Women - 1/4 Finals - Away Various CEV W player), Ze Roberto (BRA coach). Jan. 29-31 Challenge Cup Men - 1/8 Finals - Away Various CEV M Jan. 30 Indesit European Champions League Men Various CEV M World League interviews in Kato- 6th Leg - League Round wice, Poland: Feb. 1-10 Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament South Africa CAVB M Giba Gilberto Godoy Filho (BRA play- er), Alexey Verbov (RUS player), Raul Fédération Internationale Lozano (POL coach), Philippe Blain All Contributions de Volleyball (FRA coach), Bernardinho Rezende (BRA coach), Hugh McCutcheon (USA Welcome! Château Les Tourelles coach). Chemin Edouard-Sandoz 2-4 Please send your comments CH-1006 Lausanne - Switzerland The videos are accessible from the and articles to: home page of the FIVB website. They can be linked for free, mentioning [email protected] Tel : +41 (21) 345 35 35 “Courtesy of FIVB website”. or by mail / fax to: Fax: +41 (21) 345 35 45

World Volley News • Official Bulletin of the FIVB • Ch. Edouard-Sandoz 2-4 • CH-1006 Lausanne • Printed in Switzerland • FIVB founded in 1947 • Pres. Dr. Rubén Acosta H. Tel. + 41 21 345 35 35 • Fax + 41 21 345 35 45 • Web Site: www.fivb.org • E-mail: [email protected] • Editor: Communication Department • No. 22 • December 2007

8 FIVB World Volley News No.22 December 2007