Volleyball…Beijing 2008

Izmir results

Spain and Serbia face off in the final of the European Championships.

Spain beat Finland in 4 (25:22, 21:25, 25:16, 25:16)

Serbia beat The Netherlands in 3 (25:23, 27:25, 25:21)

Todays matches

16:30: Spain VS Finland

1900: The Netherlands VS Serbia

You can see the results here and watch the live ticker

Or watch the live streaming on laola1.tv

1. USA

2. Puerto Rico

3. Cuba

USA beat Puerto Rico in 3 (25-20,25-19,25-20)

Cuba beat Canada in 4 (25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 25-23)

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, January 11, 2008.- USA won a ticket to the Beijing Olympic Games with a clear victory over Puerto Rico in the final match of the NORCECA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The American blocking (13-5) proved to be too much for the host Puerto Ricans. The score was 25-20, 25-19, 25-20.

NORCECA competition is coming to a close today.

USA beat Cuba in 3 and Puerto Rico beat Canada in 3

USA now face off against Puerto Rico to see who will gain qualification to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Puerto Rico will meet USA in the decisive match of the NORCECA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The host team moved to the gold medal match with a win over Canada 41-39, 25-21, 25-19 on Thursday night before more than 9,000 spectators.

After some strange results and some favourites dropping out of the comp, these are the semi final matches tomorrow.

Spain Versus Finland

The Netherlands Vs  Serbia

Try and pick a favorite from that group…

Check out these lists from the FIVB on who has already qualified for the Olympics.

Men

1. China (host country)

2. Brazil (1st World Cup)

3. Russia (2nd World Cup)

4. Bulgaria (3rd World Cup)

5. COQT - Africa

6. COQT - Asia *

7. COQT - Europe

8. COQT - Norceca

9. Venezuela - South America

10. WOQT - Germany

11. WOQT - Japan *

12. WOQT - Portugal

Women

1. China (host country)

The Netherlands beat Spain in 4 (26-24, 22-25, 25-19,25-17)

Finland beat Germany in 3 (25-23, 25-15, 25-16)

Serbia beat Turkey in 4 (22-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-15)

Click here to see full results

Check out all the pics from Izmir here at the CEV site

Check out this press release on the big results from yesterdays day of play.

Spain, Germany and the Netherlands all were remarkably successful on the 3rd day of the preliminaries in the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games in Beijing and therefore once again opens all bets to determine which teams might qualify for the semi-finals.  

I received this comment today from a reader. Unfortunately I don’t have the benefit of being able to watch this tournament on TV form my location, so I cant comment. Anyone else who has seen the coverage, leave a comment with your opinion, perhaps we can contact the broadcasting company?

TV coverage of Izmir tournament - terrible. Couldn’t you say something to the guys who are responsible for the TV coverage of Izmir qualifing tournament. The cameras dance is unbearable. Many times you do not know where the ball is, where it fell, who gained a point - you can tell it only by the decision of referee or reactions of the players. The TV producer or camera director or however you call him/her must be an ameteur.