Twelve teams each qualified for the Olympic tournament for women and men. The US was set as the host. The top three teams at the 1995 World Cup also qualified. In Africa, Europe as well as North and South America continental qualifications took place, the winners of which were there in Atlanta. The last places were awarded at three tournaments in May 1996.
The mode was the same for women and men: the twelve qualified teams were drawn into two groups with six participants each. The preliminary round was held according to the "everyone against everyone" mode. The best four teams in each group reached the quarter-finals. Then it went on in the simple knockout system until the final.
In Group A, after four wins, Cuba only lost the last game against Brazil and secured first place. The Brazilians, like Bulgaria and Argentina, managed three wins, which was enough for all three teams to make it to the quarter-finals. The USA could not use the home advantage and were eliminated together with Poland after the preliminary round.
In Group B, unbeaten Italy dominated. The Netherlands suffered their only defeat in the preliminary round in the top game against the southern Europeans. In addition, Yugoslavia and Russia could qualify for the next round. For the outsiders South Korea and Tunisia, the tournament was over after the group stage.
In the quarter-finals on July 31, Yugoslavia defeated defending champions Brazil in five sets. Argentina and Cuba also failed because of the dominance of the Europeans. In the semi-finals on August 2nd, the Dutch managed a clear victory against Russia. Yugoslavia failed to Italy, but then secured the bronze medal. The 1992 silver medal winner triumphed in an exciting final on August 4th. The Netherlands became Olympic winners for the first time.
In Group A, the unbeaten China took first place ahead of the hosts. The Netherlands and South Korea also qualified for the quarter-finals. Japan and Ukraine were eliminated after the preliminary round.
In Group B, the German women managed two victories against the outsiders Peru and Canada after their opening defeat against Russia. However, they had no chance against the top teams from Cuba and Russia. Nevertheless, it was enough to move into the next round. Brazil secured first place ahead of Russia and Cuba. Canada and Peru said goodbye after the group stage.
In the quarter-finals on July 30, the German team lost to China. The following placement games against the Netherlands and the USA also lost the women of the DVV and in the end they finished eighth. After beating the hosts in the quarter-finals in the semi-finals on August 1, defending champions Cuba also defeated Brazil, which then took bronze. The Chinese won the other semi-final against Russia. In the final on August 3, Cuba was able to successfully defend its title and win the gold medal again.
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United States
Italy
Cuba
Netherlands
Brazil
People's Republic of China
Tunisia
Russia
South Korea
Germany
Canada
Argentina
Peru
Bulgaria
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Yugoslavia
Japan
Poland
Ukraine
