voleyballNext August in Beijing, the Algerian women's volleyball team will compete for the first time at the Olympic Games. After winning the continental Olympic qualification tournament at home, the Algerian players have obtained their Olympic ticket for the 2008 Games. Other qualified teams on the men's side are Serbia and the United States, the winners of their respective continental tournaments.
Eight women's teams out of 12 already qualified
With Algeria, eight nations out of a total of 12 will be making the Olympic journey. The Algerians will be joining China, Italy, Brazil, the USA, Venezuela, Cuba and the Russian Federation. The four remaining places will be allocated at the Asian continental tournament and the world Olympic qualifying tournament taking place in Tokyo (Japan) from 17 to 25 May. The best three teams and the best Asian team will then go to Beijing.
Five places left among the men's volleyball teams
The Serbian and American men's teams have also secured their Olympic tickets for the men's tournament, joining China, Brazil, the Russian Federation, Bulgaria and Venezuela. The last five places will be decided at the African continental tournament in Johannesburg (South Africa, 1 to 10 February), the world Olympic qualifying tournament in Dusseldorf (Germany, 23 to 25 May), the world Olympic qualifying tournament in Espinho (Portugal, 30 May to 1 June) and the Asian continental tournament and the world Olympic qualifying tournament taking place in Tokyo, from 31 May to 8 June.
Who will follow China and Brazil?
Will the Chinese women's volleyball team repeat at home their win four years ago in Athens? And will Brazil's men once again stand on the highest step of the Olympic podium? All will be revealed on 24 August 2008 at the "Capital Indoor Stadium", when the volleyball finals will be held.
Source: IOC
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