Volleyball…Beijing 2008

Mens European Qualification starts on the 7th of January.

Teams fighting it out are:

Spain, Serbia, Turkey, Poland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Finlansd. Only one team gets a run at the Olympics.

Womens Comp starts 15th January,

Teams involved are:

Serbia, Poland, Russia, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Turkey, Croatia. Again only one team goes through.

There are some great teams in both competitions and it’s going to be a close tournament, with a lot on the line.

Cuba won the NORCECA qualification round and have qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Cuba will enter the Olympic Games for the eighth time after scoring one clear victory in straight sets over Canada (25-19, 25-9, 25-16) in the final encounter of the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualifier.
Winners of the gold medal in Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96 and Sidney 2000, the Cubans took the bronze medal in Athens ’04. They also participated in Munich ’72, Montreal ’76 and Moscow ’80.
Veteran Yumilka Ruiz, elected as the Most Valuable Player, had 17 points for Cuba and Kenia Carcaces and Nancy Carrillo each added 11 tallies. Setter Yanelis Santos had 6 of 13 Cuban’s blocks and totalled 9 points.
In the other match on Saturday, Puerto Rico resisted a come-from- behind surge of its rival and beat Dominican Republic in a sensational match for the bronze medal by score of 25-22, 25-23, 23-25, 15-25, 22-20.

FIVB release

Players of Canada celebrating with mixed emotions the triumph over Dominican Republic

Monterrey, Mexico, December 22, 2007 - Canada scored a major surprise by blanking Dominican Republic and moving to a match for the gold medal and the Beijing Games’ berth against Cuba at the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualifier. The scores were 27-25, 25-17, 25-19.
It was the first triumph of Canada over the Dominicans in eight years with the last one precisely here in Monterrey in the Norceca’s Continental of 1999.
Earlier, Cuba advanced to the final match with a straight sets victory (25-23, 25-19, 25-12) over Puerto Rico and Mexico defeated Trinidad & Tobago 25-5, 25-23, 25-13 for the fifth place.

Last night in the Quarter Finals of the NORCECA Qualifications

Puerto Rico beat Mexico, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22

and

Canada beat Trinidad and Tobago 25-12, 5-13, 25-14

Puerto Rico will now play Cuba in the semis, while Canada will face the Dominican Republic.

FIVB report 

Puerto Rico uses a triple-block against Mexican Migdalel Ruiz Monterrey, Mexico, December 21, 2007 - Puerto Rico and Canada joined Cuba and Dominican Republic in the semi final round of the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualifier following their victories on Thursday night.
Puerto Rico will meet Cuba after a triumph in straight sets over Mexico by score of 25-19, 25-23, 25-22, and Canada will face Dominican Republic following an easy win against Trinidad & Tobago by score of 25-12, 25-13, 25-14.

Last night in the Quarter Finals of the NORCECA Qualifications

Puerto Rico beat Mexico, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22

and

Canada beat Trinidad and Tobago 25-12, 5-13, 25-14

Puerto Rico will now play Cuba in the semis, while Canada will face the Dominican Republic.

FIVB report 

Puerto Rico uses a triple-block against Mexican Migdalel Ruiz Monterrey, Mexico, December 21, 2007 - Puerto Rico and Canada joined Cuba and Dominican Republic in the semi final round of the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualifier following their victories on Thursday night.
Puerto Rico will meet Cuba after a triumph in straight sets over Mexico by score of 25-19, 25-23, 25-22, and Canada will face Dominican Republic following an easy win against Trinidad & Tobago by score of 25-12, 25-13, 25-14.

Aussie Libero Phill DeSalvo has posted some highlights of a match Vs Japan at the 2007 Asian Championships. Australia must now play in the Asian Zone Qualification after finishes 8th at the recent World Cup.

NOR CECA rounds have finish and now are heading into the finals stage. Cuba and the Dominican Republic won their pools.

The Dominican Republic established a high wall against the smaller Mexican squad Monterrey, Mexico, December 20, 2007 - Cuba and Dominican Republic advanced to the semi finals of the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament by winning their respective pools on Wednesday.
Cuba had to battle hard to defeat Puerto Rico in four sets (23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 27-25) to win Pool A, and Dominican Republic blanked Mexico 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 to finish first in Pool B. more FIVB

FIVB report on Canada’s match against Puerto Rico.

Canada has moved to 1-1 in their quest to Qualify for Beijing. Read more at Volleyball Canada.

In a match that promised to be a fight to the end, the Team Canada Women did not fail to put on a great show for the pro-Canadian crowd in attendance tonight in Monterrey.  The team was “on” right from the start and overpowered Puerto Rico en route to a 3-2 victory. Set scores were 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 18-25 & 16-14 in favour of Canada.

The match began on an exciting note, full of long rallies, big hits, massive blocks and amazing digs and eventually ended with Canada coming out on top 25-22.

The South American Mens Qualification even begins on January the 3rd. Full report from FIVB.

I am still searching for the results of last nights games in the NORCECA qualification tournament.

Argentina, here at the World Cup 2007, will be the host country og the South American Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament

Formosa, Argentina, 19 December 2007 - The South American Confederation and the Argentine Volleyball Federation (FeVA) are working hard for the South American Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, that will take place in Formosa, January 3rd - 7th, 2008, with the participation of five teams struggling for the vacant place for South American at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.