Women's volleyball groups defined for Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Puerto Rico to make Olympic debut, while Italy, Netherlands, Japan and Republic of Korea complete line-up
The Netherlands and Japan earned their spots at Rio 2016 at the qualifying event in Tokyo (Photo: Getty Images/Koki Nagahama)
The pools for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games women’s volleyball tournament were finalised this Monday (23 May), following the completion of the qualifying tournaments over the weekend. Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and the Republic of Korea guaranteed their places at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan, while Puerto Rico qualified after winning their qualifying event in front of home support in San Juan.
At Rio 2016, the competition has been divided into two groups of six teams, with the best four countries from each pool advancing to the knockout stage. Russia, Japan, Korea, Argentina, Cameroon and hosts Brazil have been drawn in Group A. In Group B are the United States, China, Serbia, Italy, the Netherlands and Puerto Rico.
In Group A, the Republic of Korea will no doubt be eyeing up their match with Japan in what will be a repeat of the bronze medal match four years ago. Brazil and the Republic of Korea were both in the same pool at London 2012, with the latter coming out on top on that occasion.
In Group B, the United States and China will face off once again after contesting the final of the 2014 world championship in Italy. On that occasion the Americans went home victors after defeating China three sets to one. Brazil, who were defeated by the USA in the semi-final, finished in third place.
Argentina, Cameroon and Puerto Rico will all be making their Olympic debut in women’s volleyball this August.
Puerto Rico made history on Sunday (22 May) by qualifying for the Olympic women's volleyball competition for the first time in their history (Photo: Getty Images/Junko Kimura)
Olympic Preview
Before the Olympic Games, the teams will take to the court for the Grand Prix series, which will take place from 3 June to 10 July, with the finals taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Brazilian women will start their Grand Prix campaign at the newly opened Carioca Arena 1 in Barra Olympic Park which will also host the Rio 2016 Olympic volleyball tournament in August. Brazil will play Grand Prix matches in Rio against Italy, Japan and Serbia before travelling to the two next stages in Macau, China and Ankara, Turkey.
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games women’s volleyball tournament will take place from August 6 to 21.
