Twelve teams each qualified for the Olympic tournament for women and men. Australia was set to host. The top three teams at the 1999 World Cup also qualified. In Africa, Europe and North and South America continental qualifications took place, the winners of which were there in Sydney. The last places were awarded at three tournaments in July 2000.
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.
The games were played in Sydney from September 16 to October 1. The venue was the Sydney Entertainment Center in Darling Harbor .
New rules
Some fundamental rule changes in volleyball were introduced at the Olympic tournament. The most important new rule concerned the way of counting. While previously points could only be scored with one's own serve, this was possible with every rally in the new “rally point system”. In addition, instead of fifteen, 25 points (at least two points ahead) were necessary to win a set. The team was supplemented by a libero .
Schedule men
Preliminary round
Brazil remained unbeaten in Group A. The Netherlands only lost the top game against the South Americans. Cuba and Australia were enough three and two wins to reach the quarter-finals. For Spain and Egypt, which could only win one set, the tournament was over after the preliminary round.
Italy dominated Group B and remained undefeated. Behind them were the Russians, who were only subject to the Italians. Yugoslavia qualified for the quarter-finals with three wins in a row after their opening defeats against the two top teams. Argentina also reached the final round. South Korea and the USA without a win, however, were eliminated after the preliminary round.
In the quarter-finals on September 27, the later finalists Russia and Yugoslavia could only prevail in the tie-break. Yugoslavia won against defending champions Netherlands. Argentina won the South American duel and Italy completed the semi-finals. While the dethroned Olympic champion was able to secure fifth place in the placement games, there were tight decisions in both semi-finals on September 29th. On October 1, Italy won the bronze medal and Yugoslavia became the new Olympic champion in the final against Russia.
In Group A, Brazil and the USA dominated. The South Americans secured first place with a success in a direct duel. Croatia and China also made it to the next round, while Australia and Kenya had to say goodbye after the group stage.
Russia remained unbeaten in Group B. The German team lost in three sets at the start against Cuba and South Korea. Then the women of the DVV managed a victory against outsider Peru and forced Russia into the tiebreak. With the final victory against Italy, the Germans reached the quarter-finals behind Cuba and South Korea.
In the quarter-finals on September 26, the decision between the USA and South Korea was not made until the tie-break. In the other games, the favorites prevailed 3-0. The German team lost to Brazil and reached sixth place in the placement games against Croatia and China. In the semi-finals on September 28, defending champion Cuba beat Brazil in five sets; Russia also needed the tiebreaker to beat the US. On September 30, Brazil won the bronze medal like four years before. Cuba turned the final against Russia 2-0 down and repeated their 1996 Olympic victory.
Sergei Tetjuchin , Igor Tschulepow, Roman Jakowljew, Ilja Saweljew, Rustan Olichwer, Alexej Kuletschow, Alexander Gerassimow, Alexej Kasakow, Vadim Chamutskich, Konstantin Uschakow, Valeri Goryutschew, Evgeni Mitkow
Australia
Russia
Cuba
Italy
Brazil
Egypt
Kenya
South Korea
People's Republic of China
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Yugoslavia
Germany
United States
Peru
Netherlands
Argentina
Spain
Croatia
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