Olympic Summer Games 2008 / volleyball (hall)

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing hosted indoor volleyball tournaments for women and men. Brazil won the women's tournament 3-1 in the final against the USA. In the men's category, however, the USA defeated defending champions Brazil 3-1.

qualification

Twelve teams each qualified for the Olympic tournament for women and men. The People's Republic of China was set as the host. The top three teams at the 2007 World Cup also qualified.

In January and February 2008, continental qualifications took place in Africa, Europe and North and South America, the winners of which were there in Beijing.

Men

• Ten teams played at the African tournament in Durban . Egypt won the final against Algeria .
• The European tournament in Izmir was held with eight teams. Serbia defeated the new European champions Spain in the final . The German team took fifth place.
• At the NORCECA tournament in Caguas with eight participants, the USA prevailed against host Puerto Rico .
• Venezuela won the South American tournament in Formosa ahead of hosts Argentina .

Women

• At the African tournament in Algiers with five teams, the hosts from Algeria used their home advantage.
• The European tournament took place in the Gerry Weber Stadium in Halle . The German team failed in the semifinals against Russia , which prevailed in the final against Poland .
• At the NORCECA tournament in Monterrey , Cuba prevailed over Canada .
• Venezuela won the South American tournament in Lima ahead of hosts Peru .

The last places were awarded at tournaments in May / June 2008.

Men

• Germany won the tournament in Düsseldorf on 23-25. May with three wins against Taiwan , Cuba and Spain . As a result, the DVV team secured participation in the Olympic tournament in Munich for the first time since 1972 .
• In Espinho , Poland prevailed from May 30th to June 1st against hosts Portugal as well as Puerto Rico and Indonesia .
• In Tokyo , Italy remained unbeaten against Japan , Australia , South Korea , Iran , Thailand , Algeria and Argentina from May 31st to June 8th and qualified. Since this tournament was also the Asian qualification, Japan also qualified as the best Asian team.

Women

At the tournament in Tokyo from May 17th to 25th, Poland , Serbia and Japan took the first three places. Since this tournament was also an Asian qualification, Kazakhstan also qualified as the best Asian team (alongside Japan).

Qualified teams
Men		Women
host	People's Republic of China	host	People's Republic of China
Winner of the World Cup	Brazil	Winner of the World Cup	Italy
2nd place at the World Cup	Russia	2nd place at the World Cup	Brazil
3rd place at the World Cup	Bulgaria	3rd place at the World Cup	United States
Africa	Egypt	Africa	Algeria
Asia	Japan	Asia	Kazakhstan
Europe	Serbia	Europe	Russia
North America	United States	North America	Cuba
South America	Venezuela	South America	Venezuela
Tournament Düsseldorf	Germany	Tokyo tournament	Poland
Tournament Espinho	Poland	Tokyo tournament	Serbia
Tokyo tournament	Italy	Tokyo tournament	Japan

mode

The mode was the same for women and men.

The twelve qualified teams were divided into two groups of six participants each. The preliminary round was held according to the "everyone against everyone" mode. In the event of a tie, the ball point quotient decided the placement. 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 Beijing from August 9th to 24th. The division of the preliminary round groups took place on June 11th. The venues were the 18,000-seat Capital Indoor Stadium (Capital Indoor Stadium) and the gymnasium of the Technical University of Peking (Beijing Institute of Technology) with 5,000 seats. The admission tickets available for sale had been sold out since the beginning of May. Each team nominated a squad of twelve players.

Schedule men

Preliminary round

The current world league winner USA had to accept the equalizer in his first game in Group A against the Venezuelans who had qualified for the first time after a 2-0 set lead, but was still able to win in the tie-break. The other two favorites in this group, Italy and Bulgaria, were also successful against the Asian representatives. Venezuela then forced the Chinese into the tiebreak and lost 14:16. The Americans only gave the first set against Italy with 24:26 and prevailed 3-1 as did Bulgaria against Japan. On matchday three, Bulgaria suffered their first defeat despite a 29:27 in the first set against the still unbeaten US team, while the Italians had no problems with Venezuela and China beat Japan in five sets. Two days later, all three games, including the duel between Italy and Bulgaria, ended 3-0. The USA remained unbeaten on the last match day of the preliminary round and secured the group victory over the Italians, who defeated China after a 2-0 lead in the tiebreaker. Bulgaria and the hosts also reached the quarter-finals.

In Group B, after the victories of the Russians and the Brazilians, the German team made their first Olympic appearance in 36 years. Although the DVV selection had several set balls at 31:33 in the second set, they lost 0: 3. Two days later, the Germans reached the tiebreak against Russia, where they awarded a match point and lost 14:16. Defending champion Brazil only gave the first set against Serbia (25:27). On the third match day, Germany achieved their first victory against outsiders Egypt with 29:27 and 25:21 twice. While the Serbs conceded their third defeat after a 29:31 in the first set against Poland, Brazil lost in the top game against Russia. Two days later, the German team missed the previously winless Serbs with a 1: 3 chance of an early qualification for the quarter-finals. After the final defeat against Brazil in the last game under the direction of Stelian Mosculescu, the tournament was over after the preliminary round. Since the Poles defeated the Russians 3-2, the ball point quotient had to decide the order in the first three places. Serbia completed the quarter-finals.

Group A space team BPQ sentences Points 1.  United States 1,240 15: 4 10 2.  Italy 1.095 13: 6 9 3.  Bulgaria 1.014 10: 9 8th 4th  People's Republic of China 0.904 9:13 7th 5.  Venezuela 0.933 8:12 6th 6th  Japan 0.875 4:15 5

Group B space team BPQ sentences Points 1.  Brazil 1,145 13: 4 9 2.  Russia 1,110 14: 7 9 3.  Poland 1.074 12: 6 9 4th  Serbia 1.002 9:10 7th 5.  Germany 0.950 6:12 6th 6th  Egypt 0.704 0:15 5

August 10 Italy Japan 3: 1 United States Venezuela 3: 2 Bulgaria China 3: 1 12. August United States Italy 3: 1 Venezuela China 2: 3 Japan Bulgaria 1: 3 August 14th Italy Venezuela 3-0 China Japan 3: 2 Bulgaria United States 1: 3 August 16 United States China 3-0 Italy Bulgaria 3-0 Venezuela Japan 3-0 18th of August Bulgaria Venezuela 3: 1 China Italy 2: 3 Japan United States 0: 3

August 10 Serbia Russia 1: 3 Brazil Egypt 3-0 Poland Germany 3-0 12. August Russia Germany 3: 2 Egypt Poland 0: 3 Serbia Brazil 1: 3 August 14th Germany Egypt 3-0 Brazil Russia 1: 3 Poland Serbia 3: 1 August 16 Russia Egypt 3-0 Serbia Germany 3: 1 Brazil Poland 3-0 18th of August Germany Brazil 0: 3 Poland Russia 3: 2 Egypt Serbia 0: 3

Final round

In the quarter-finals on August 20, Brazil had no problems with hosts China. Russia turned things around after losing a set against Bulgaria. The decision in the duel between the sovereign winner of Group A and the fourth-placed winner of Group B. After two defeats, the USA prevailed against Serbia in the tie-break. The encounter between Italy and Poland lasted even longer. The Italians lost the fourth round after a 2-0 set lead with 26:28 and won the tiebreak with 17:15. The Russians also equalized in the semi-finals on August 22nd after losing two sets against the USA, but then had to admit defeat at 13:15. After initial difficulties, Brazil moved into the final with a 3-1 win against Italy. Russia won the bronze medal with a 3-0 win against Italy like four years ago. In the final on August 24, Brazil gained an advantage against the USA by winning the first set, but then the Americans were able to turn the game around and win the gold medal for the first time since 1988.

	Quarter finals				Semifinals				final
	United States	3
	Serbia	2
					United States	3
					Russia	2
	Bulgaria	1
	Russia	3
									United States	3
									Brazil	1
	Italy	3
	Poland	2
					Italy	1			Game for third place
					Brazil	3
	People's Republic of China	0							Russia	3
	Brazil	3							Italy	0

Schedule women

Preliminary round

In the first game of Group A Poland could only win the first set against Cuba. China won clearly against Venezuela and the USA only gave the second set against Japan. Two days later, however, the Americans had to admit defeat to Cuba, while the Poles suffered their second defeat. On the third matchday, Cuba defeated the hosts after two clearly lost sets. The fourth round ended at 32:30 and in the tiebreak there was a 15:13. The Polish team was able to make up a 2-0 set deficit against Japan, but remained without a win. The Chinese then lost to the USA in five sets, while Poland and Cuba each won 3-0. On the last day of the match, Poland missed the quarter-finals despite two leaders against the USA, for which the two Asian teams qualified alongside the Americans and the undefeated group winners Cuba.

The first matchday of Group B began with the defeat of the reigning world champions Russia against Italy. While Serbia had no problems with the outsiders Kazakhstan and Algeria and the Italians won their second game, the Russians had no chance against Brazil either. After that, the three favorites each managed two 3-0 wins. On the final day of the match, Brazil confirmed their group victory with a clear win against Italy. Serbia also reached the next round despite the final 3-0 draw against Russia.

Group A space team BPQ sentences Points 1.  Cuba 1.148 15: 3 10 2.  United States 1.041 12: 9 9 3.  People's Republic of China 1.182 13: 7 8th 4th  Japan 0.979 7:11 7th 5.  Poland 0.991 9:12 6th 6th  Venezuela 0.663 1:15 5

Group B space team BPQ sentences Points 1.  Brazil 1,668 15: 0 10 2.  Italy 1.181 12: 4 9 3.  Russia 1.131 10: 6 8th 4th  Serbia 0.983 6:10 7th 5.  Kazakhstan 0.800 4:13 6th 6th  Algeria 0.587 1:15 5

August 9 Poland Cuba 1: 3 Venezuela China 0: 3 Japan United States 1: 3 August 11th United States Cuba 0: 3 China Poland 3: 1 Japan Venezuela 3-0 13 August Venezuela United States 1: 3 Cuba China 3: 2 Poland Japan 2: 3 15th of August Venezuela Poland 0: 3 United States China 3: 2 Japan Cuba 0: 3 17th August Cuba Venezuela 3-0 Poland United States 2: 3 China Japan 3-0

August 9 Italy Russia 3: 1 Serbia Kazakhstan 3: 1 Algeria Brazil 0: 3 August 11th Algeria Serbia 0: 3 Kazakhstan Italy 0: 3 Brazil Russia 3-0 13 August Italy Algeria 3-0 Russia Kazakhstan 3-0 Serbia Brazil 0: 3 15th of August Algeria Russia 0: 3 Brazil Kazakhstan 3-0 Serbia Italy 0: 3 17th August Kazakhstan Algeria 3: 1 Italy Brazil 0: 3 Russia Serbia 3-0

Final round

In the quarter-finals on August 19, Brazil beat Japan without any problems. Russia failed with the same result at the hosts. Cuba had to go into overtime twice against Serbia (26:24 each), but ultimately only needed three sets. The USA defeated Italy after two defeats 15: 6 in the tie-break. In the semi-finals on August 21, the victory for the Americans against Cuba was clearer. The Brazilians also made it 3-0 into the final after a 27:25 in the first set against China. The hosts, who became Olympic champions four years ago, won 3-1 against Cuba, this time the bronze medal. In the final against the USA on August 23, the Brazilian women gave up the second round after a 25:15 in the first set, but won clearly 3-1 after a 25:13 in the third set and took the gold medal.

	Quarter finals				Semifinals				final
	Cuba	3
	Serbia	0
					Cuba	0
					United States	3
	United States	3
	Italy	2
									United States	1
									Brazil	3
	People's Republic of China	3
	Russia	0
					People's Republic of China	0			Game for third place
					Brazil	3
	Japan	0							Cuba	1
	Brazil	3							People's Republic of China	3

Medalist

Men

space	country	player
1	United States	Lloy Ball , Gabe Gardner , Kevin Hansen , Tom Hoff , Richard Lambourne , David Lee , Ryan Millar , Reid Priddy , Sean Rooney , Riley Salmon , Clayton Stanley , Scott Touzinsky Trainers: Hugh McCutcheon
2	Brazil	Bruno Rezende , Marcelo Elgarten , André Heller , Samuel Fuchs , Gilberto Godoy Filho , Murilo Endres , André Nascimento , Sérgio Dutra Santos , Anderson Rodrigues , Gustavo Endres , Rodrigo Santana , Dante Guimarães Amaral Trainer: Bernardo Rezende
3	Russia	Yuri Bereschko , Vadim Chamutzkich , Sergei Grankin , Alexander Kornejew , Alexander Kossarew , Alexei Kuleschow , Maxim Michailow , Alexei Ostapenko , Semjon Poltawski , Sergei Tetjuchin , Alexei Werbow , Alexander Volkov Coach: Vladimir Alekno
9	Germany	Ralph Bergmann , Christian Pampel , Stefan Hübner , Björn Andrae , Marcus Böhme , Robert Kromm , Frank Dehne , Mark Siebeck , Jochen Schöps , Thomas Kröger , Simon Tischer , Marcus Popp Trainers: Stelian Moculescu

Women

space	country	Players
1	Brazil	Paula Pequeno , Fabiana Claudino , Sheilla Castro , Walewska Oliveira , Marianne Steinbrecher , Thaísa Menezes , Hélia Souza , Carolina Albuquerque , Jaqueline Carvalho , Wélissa Gonzaga , Fabiana Oliveira , Valeska Menezes Trainer: Zé Roberto
2	United States	Robyn Ah Mow-Santos , Lindsey Berg , Heather Bown , Nicole Davis , Kim Glass , Tayyiba Haneef-Park , Jennifer Joines , Ogonna Nnamani , Danielle Scott-Arruda , Stacy Sykora , Logan Tom , Kim Willoughby Trainer: Lang Ping
3	People's Republic of China	Feng Kun , Li Juan , Liu Yanan , Ma Yunwen , Wang Yimei , Wei Qiuyue , Xu Yunli , Xue Ming , Yang Hao , Zhang Na , Zhao Ruirui , Zhou Suhong Trainers: Chen Zhonghe

Individual evidence

1. ↑ FIVB press release, Preliminary match order completed for Olympic Volleyball Tournaments after Drawing of Lots in Beijing June 11, 2008 (English)
2. ↑ Capital Indoor Stadium ( Memento of the original from June 22, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English) 
3. ↑ Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium ( Memento of the original from November 25, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English) 
4. ↑ FIVB press release, Olympic Volleyball and Beach Volleyball tickets sell out months ahead of Beijing 2008 , 7 May 2008 (English)

Web links

• Beijing 2008 - Volleyball (English)
• Information from the FIVB (English)
• Information from the DVV