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 VolleyWorld
CONTENTS
3/2011 OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

VOLLEYWORLD 3/2011
BRAZIL
REIGN IN
ROME...
PLUS:

2 / Editorial
Hail the
FIVB Heroes
Manabe
the talisman
for Japan
Volleyball

A giant leap for beach volleyball

at School

...WHILE RUSSIA
DOMINATE IN
GDANSK

4 / The Big Picture

Cover photos:
Top: The scene at the Foro Proud to paint a piggy bank
Italico, Rome, for the FIVB
Beach Volleyball Swatch
World Championships.
Bottom: Russia celebrate
victory at the FIVB World 6 / Beach Volleyball World Championships
League Finals in Gdansk.
Rome spellbound by beauty and the beast

14 / World League Final Round

Publication Managing
and Editorial Committee
Russia raise their own bar
Fédération Internationale
de Volleyball
Château Les Tourelles
Edouard-Sandoz 2-4,
1006 Lausanne, Switzerland 22 / Spotlight
Tel. 0041-21-3453535
Fax 0041-21-3453545 Whatever happened to all the Heroes?
www.fivb.org
Press Department Director
Richard Baker
Managing Editor
Adam Szreter 26 / In Focus
SportsWrites International
www.sportswrites.com Switzerland’s women seizing their moment
Editorial
FIVB
Design
Thomas and Trotman Design
www.thomasandtrotman.com
30 / Interview
Translation Manabe pointing ‘Phoenix Japan’ to the podium
Libero Language Lab
www.liberos.com
Reproduction
Reproduction of any article
or part of the magazine is 34 / Development
authorised, providing that
the source is explicitly cited Volleyball at School
Contributions
Typed articles are accepted
in the following languages:
French, English
Advertising
FIVB
Photographs
FIVB Archives
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Annual Subscriptions:
60 Swiss Francs
Confederations
Printer
Swissprinters Lausanne SA 38 AVC / Making waves in the Maldives
The views expressed in 40 CAVB / Togo inspired by primary colours
VolleyWorld are not necessarily
those of the FIVB or its Officials. 42 CEV / Myszkowska leads referee revolution
The content of this publication
is based on the best information
44 CSV / Claudinha sets her sights on the Seleção
available at the time the 46 NORCECA / Pavan holds Olympic dream for Canada
articles were written.

VolleyWorld 1
 EDITORIAL
A giant leap
for beach volleyball
I
have great memories of my first Beach We have invested a lot in this campaign to
Volleyball World Championships as FIVB create role models for future generations
President. It was in 2009 in Stavanger, and to add value to our sport. We hope to
Norway magnificently organized by Bjorn realize even more revenue and we hope
Maaseide and his staff. It was an exciting new sponsors will join the FIVB family
tournament, with all the benefits of being thanks to these marketing efforts.
the only focus of a city of less than
200,000 people. Another significant new development
concerns our communication activities.
Rome has 2.7 million inhabitants and to I would like to congratulate our press
promote a sports event in the Eternal City, department and the FIVB Press
with its special nature and its thousands Commission for a new initiative which,
of famous attractions, was a challenge from now on, will make VolleyWorld
from the start. That is why we are happy available in six languages on our website
to congratulate the Italian Volleyball (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese,
Federation president Carlo Magri, FIPAV Russian and Arabic). The word “World” in
and CONI for the organization of the FIVB the title of our flagship publication is now
Swatch World Championships powered acquiring a more complete meaning. By
by smart. It was a superb event in the reaching millions of volleyball and beach
heart of the Italian capital which featured volleyball fans all over the planet through
sell-out crowds for the final matches. the internet we hope to send positive new
messages looking ahead to a bright future.
I was particularly proud that our “Heroes”
campaign (which you can read more
about in this issue), which was born
during the FIVB Congress in Rome in
2010, was appropriately unveiled among
the statues of the Foro Italico inside the
prestigious Italian National Olympic
Committee headquarters. “Heroes” is
the first massive internet and fan-oriented
marketing campaign by our federation,
putting its focus on our top players as
our main assets. I was proud to be
photographed in Rome between two giant
statues of Emanuel Rego and Kerri Walsh
in the Foro Italico. The dimensions of
these “modern artifacts” is a clear
reflection of the myth that should
surround athletes like these Brazilian
and American champions.

Mr Jizhong Wei
FIVB President

2 VolleyWorld
 Giba (BRA) / Emanuel Rego (BRA) / Kerri Walsh (USA) / Ekaterina Gamova (RUS)

VolleyWorld
THIS IS VOLLEYBALL

FIVBheroes.com 3
 THE BIG PICTURE

Proud to paint
a piggy bank

4 VolleyWorld
O
n the eve of the World League Finals Mother and Child) in Warsaw. Among the
in Gdansk players and coaches from budding artists were Bartosz Kurek, Andrea
Poland, Brazil and USA gathered to Anastasi, William Priddy, Murilo and Giba,
paint piggy banks – all in a good cause. who has been involved with the foundation
Poland’s Foundation Herosi (Heroes) helps for two years. “I think nowadays people
children and adolescents suffering from demand a lot and have great expectations
cancer, and the painted piggy banks were put from life,” said the Brazilian captain. “But
up for auction with profits going towards a when you see a person recover from a
pulse oximeter for the oncology department severe disease and become healthy again,
of the Instytut Matki i Dziecka (Institute of you see what really counts.”

VolleyWorld 5
 By Brian
Pinelli

BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rome spellbound by
6 VolleyWorld
 Brazil’s Alison Cerutti and Emanuel Rego (in green) face up to their
fellow countrymen Ricardo Santos and Marcio Araujo in the men’s
final at the Foro Italico, Rome

beauty and the beast

VolleyWorld 7
 A
s he spoke to journalists shortly after
claiming his third world title in Rome,
Emanuel Rego somehow managed to look
both physically exhausted yet, at the same time, a
man rejuvenated. If the 38-year-old’s tiredness was
BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

understandable after his Italian exertions, there

was also a good reason for his newfound glow –
the inspirational presence of his partner Alison
Cerutti, 13 years his junior.

“I need to thank this big mammoth because he’s

given me the life again to play,” Emanuel explained
after the pair’s impressive triumph at the FIVB
Beach Volleyball Swatch World Championships.
“It’s not easy to play for almost 18 years, but
he did a great job of putting me at the top again.
He was the best player in the tournament.”

Emanuel was not alone in that view. Alison was

honoured as the best men’s player after their
21-16, 21-15 final victory over compatriots Ricardo ‘Last year he was such a
Santos and Marcio Araujo at the Foro Italico on
a memorable June weekend for Brazil, who also
beast, really going forward
celebrated Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa and yelling all the time, but
Franca’s victory in the women’s event. Yet amid
the praise, the soft-spoken Alison offered a
now he can control his
modest appraisal of his contribution when he said: emotions and focus
“I think I didn’t play well today, so thanks to
Emanuel.”
on improving his game’

Emanuel and Alison celebrate in unorthodox fashion

atop a courtside smart car, courtesy of the sponsors

8 VolleyWorld
 Alison (left) was honoured as the
best men’s player after the 21-16,
21-15 final victory over compatriots
Ricardo and Marcio Araujo at the
Foro Italico on a memorable
weekend for Brazil

It was Emanuel who coaxed his partner into

a courtside smart car as they celebrated their
success in unorthodox fashion at the Foro Italico.
He revealed how, prior to match point, he had told
Alison: “Let’s bring some energy to this last point
and afterwards we’ll go to that car and celebrate.”
Perhaps nothing more than a fun way to celebrate
their first title together? Possibly. Or maybe
calculated words from the savvy veteran to ease
the tension at a key moment.

Whatever, their partnership is certainly working.

They nabbed their first victory together in Prague
For the 2.03m 25-year-old, victory in Rome was on May 22, halting the seven-tournament winning
a first major title and sixth FIVB Swatch World streak of USA’s Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers.
Tour victory. At the last FIVB Swatch World According to Emanuel, bringing the world’s most
Championships in 2009 in Stavanger, Norway, dominant team to their knees was a big leap
he finished runner-up alongside Harley Marques, forward in his partner’s development. “He is more
the pair falling to Germany’s Julius Brink and Jonas fired up than last year, but more in control. Last
Reckermann in the final. “I think it was a good year he was such a beast, really going forward and
lesson for him because he grew as a man and as a yelling all the time, but now he can control his
player,” said Emanuel of that near miss. “He has so emotions and focus on improving his game. I
much power and is starting to understand when know at his age you are trying to do everything,
you need to push and when you need to hold back.” but now I think he has a better balance.”

Alison looks on as Emanuel digs one out of the sand

VolleyWorld 9
 BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Juliana (right) and Larissa’s triumph in the women’s final

set up a night of double delight for Brazil

The Brazilians followed up that victory In an epic battle everyone had dreamed
with another climb to the top of the podium of that will live in the ages of Roman history,
three weeks later in Beijing. Their world title in top-seeded Juliana and Larissa persevered to
Italy – where they dropped just one set in winning capture the gold medal over fifth-seeded
all eight matches – made it three successive USA’s Misty May-Treanor/Kerri Walsh 21-17,
tournament triumphs. For the popular Emanuel – 13-21 and 16-14 in a thrilling women’s final.
who has competed in all eight World It was the first world championship gold
Championships since 1997 and captured titles medal for the world number one pairing in
in 1999 and 2003 – victory in Rome was much four world championships following two
like an Italian gelato on a summer evening: silvers and a bronze in the previous three
especially sweet. world championships in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

“This night, I want to enjoy this title a lot because The Brazilian victory also snapped a 29-match
it’s not easy to be at the top of the world,” said winning streak for two-time Olympic
Emanuel. “When you play volleyball you need some champions May-Treanor and Walsh in world
energy, but when you play beach volleyball you need championship play having won the coveted
more and more energy because you are playing title in 2003, 2005 and 2007. “Finally, we won
eight matches in a tournament. Sometimes when a world championship,” Juliana said. “I’m so
you think you are getting older, you think this is too proud because all week we believed in
much, but when I decided to continue Alison ourselves. The most important blocks in my
provided me with this new energy and some quick life were the last two points of the match.
magic so I need to compliment him for that.” With We are so happy to win against such a strong
that magic in the air, their best could be yet to come. team as Kerri and Misty”.

Brian Pinelli is a writer, reporter and producer with extensive experience of the international sports scene, based in
Prague, Czech Republic. He has covered five Olympic Games.

10 VolleyWorld
Final standings 13-19 June 2011

Men
Rank Team Country Points Earnings (US$)
1 Emanuel-Alison BRA 1000 60,000.00
2 Marcio Araujo-Ricardo BRA 900 45,000.00
3 Brink-Reckermann GER 800 35,000.00
4 Plavins-Smedins, J. LAT 700 28,000.00
5 Ferramenta-Pedro BRA 600 18,000.00
5 Soderberg-Hoyer, A. DEN 600 18,000.00
5 Herrera-Gavira ESP 600 18,000.00
5 Fijalek-Prudel POL 600 18,000.00
2009 world champions Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser (USA) finished ninth

Women
Rank Team Country Points Earnings (US$)
1 Larissa-Juliana BRA 1000 60,000.00
2 May-Treanor-Walsh USA 900 45,000.00
3 Xue-Zhang Xi CHN 800 35,000.00
4 Klapalova-Hajeckova CZE 700 28,000.00
5 Talita-Antonelli BRA 600 18,000.00
5 Köhler-Sude GER 600 18,000.00
5 Fendrick-Hanson USA 600 18,000.00
5 Kessy-Ross* USA 600 18,000.00
* 2009 world champions

The FIVB’s innovative media coverage of the Beach

Volleyball Swatch World Championships Rome 2011
powered by smart included a number of firsts:

• Dedicated FIVB YouTube channel for the first

time at an FIVB event
• Media Guide published for the first time
at the FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World
Championships powered by smart
• Matches from centre court streamed live for
the first time on FIVB WEB TV
• On-site statistics provided in expanded format
for first time
• Photo slideshow on www.fivb.org for first
time for a FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch
World Championships

VolleyWorld 11
 By Paul
Laciga

POINT OF VIEW ‘The women’s contest was

spectacular and it was great
to see the world’s two best
teams in the final’
Paul Laciga of Switzerland, twice an FIVB
Beach Volleyball World Championship silver
medallist and a regular fivb.org blogger,
shares his thoughts on this year’s
championships.

Marta Menegatti (left) and Hana Klapalova (foreground) and Lenka

Greta Cicolari of Italy Hajeckova of the Czech Republic

12 VolleyWorld
I was in Rome for the beginning of the World Championships
and the atmosphere was great. It was nice to be there as a fan.
I wasn’t surprised that Alison and Emanuel came out on top.
I guessed before the tournament that they would end up
champions, but to see Ricardo and Marcio Araujo in the final was
a surprise. It was sad to see Phil Dalhausser struggle. It was clear
that he was not 100 per cent but he and Todd Rogers will bounce
back. The women’s contest was spectacular, and it was great to
see the world’s two best teams in Juliana/Larissa and Walsh/May-
Treanor in the final. It was also nice to see Czech duo Klapalova
and Hajeckova do so well in reaching the semifinals. Looking
ahead to the next World Championships in Poland I expect Alison
to do well and probably take top spot. Poland is interesting, they
are progressing every year and if they continue they will have an
opportunity for a home medal as well. On the women’s side I see
some new teams coming through like Italy’s Cicolari/Menegatti
but also nations like Germany are creating stronger teams.

Phil Dalhausser down in the dumps

VolleyWorld 13
By Ashish
Sharma

WORLD LEAGUE FINAL ROUND

Russia raise
their own bar
14 VolleyWorld
The Russian players are ecstatic after
victory over Brazil in the final

VolleyWorld 15
 A
s Dmitry Muserskiy of Russia ambled
through the mixed zone after terrorising
Cuba in the pool stages of the World
League Finals, all heads craned upwards and TV
cameras were yanked up to their highest position.
WORLD LEAGUE FINAL ROUND

But by the time victory over Brazil in the final

itself had been achieved, protocol had long since
been dispensed with. One journalist resorted to
standing on a bench in order to carry out a face to
face interview with him, as opposed to the usual
face to chest.

At over 2.15 metres Muserskiy towers over

everyone, but it was not just his height that
earned him the Best Server award for the Finals.
Powering in over 12 aces but also showing
incredible speed and agility, the middle blocker
was an awesome obstacle for all opponents in
Gdansk. Alongside him on court was Maxim
Mikhaylov, the Most Valuable Player of the
tournament, the Best Blocker, the second highest
scorer and one of the quickest players in the
modern game. Both Muserskiy and Mikhaylov ply
their trade in the Russian league, and both are
only 23 years old.

At over 2.15 metres Maxim Muserskiy towers over everyone

Maxim Mikhaylov was the tournament MVP,

Best Blocker and second highest scorer

16 VolleyWorld
Above: For Russia there was something special about winning their second World League title

Below: A valiant Poland were egged on by a fanatical home support

VolleyWorld 17
 Russia has long had a history of talented players,
but there was something special about winning
their second World League title, following on from
their victory in 2002. For the last three years this
European powerhouse has been threatening to
WORLD LEAGUE FINAL ROUND

break through and run away with all of volleyball’s

most glittering prizes. In the Beijing Olympics the
Russians took the bronze medal and in the 2010
World League final they lost 3-1 to Brazil. Finally
this year in Gdansk, against the same opponents,
they came through a nervy and tension-filled tie-
break to eventually claim the crown 23-25, 27-25,
25-23, 22-25, 15-11.

Alexander Volkov, another of their key players,

summed up the problem that had hitherto dogged
his countrymen. “It’s all up here,” he said, raising a
giant hand and pointing to his head. “It’s in our
minds where we have to win. That is the
difference between being in the finals and actually
winning them. Look at us as a team. We are big,
we are powerful and we have huge talent but that
has not won us anything. You could argue that
Brazil are not as big and as strong as us, but just
look at what they have achieved.”

Below: Muserskiy puts the block Above: A sold-out Ergo Arena in Gdansk
on Brazil in the final is enthralled by a memorable final

But now the Russians have done it. Their coach,

Vladimir Alekno, had rightly calculated that his
team would meet Brazil twice and in the pool
game the Russians swept aside a second-string
Brazilian side 3-0. In the final they showed the
mental resilience that they had lacked in recent
encounters and, together with their natural talent,
it proved too much for the reigning champions.
Their celebration after Mikhaylov’s match-winning
spike had shattered Brazil’s dreams of a third
consecutive World League title was more than
mere joy at victory - the players screamed and
yelled from the court all the way back to the
dressing room.

‘There is an opinion in our

country that we should
be the leaders, so we will
work on it and we will try
to stay on top’

18 VolleyWorld
 Russia has finally answered the call of expectation
of its own people, finally found the formula to
turn talent into a winning combination and finally
found players prepared to work hard at making
themselves better. Volkov admits that he left
Russia, where he could earn three times more
money, to play in the Italian League because it
was going to make him a better player. And,
under the guidance of the charismatic yet highly
unpredictable Alekno, he has finally found a coach
who cares not only about how the team plays
but about winning. Alekno raged at his team’s
mistakes in their opener against USA, furious they
had lost the first set despite a splendid comeback.

With young and talented stars like Mikhaylov and

Muserskiy having already tasted success and
having exorcised their demons in Gdansk, Russia
are looking to the future with an intention to
conquer everything before them.

Final Standings
1 (2) Russia

2 (1) Brazil
While Brazil’s coach Bernardo Rezende was left to
think about what went wrong, the Russians need 3 (10) Poland
to go away and figure out how they can remain
consistent. Their dismantling of USA, the Olympic 4 (5) Argentina
champions, sweeping aside a valiant Poland egged
on by a fanatical home support and twice 5 (7) Bulgaria
outplaying Brazil has unlocked the mental chains. 6 (6) Italy
“We are one of the best teams in the world
because we finally confirmed that with success,” 7 (8) USA
said their captain, Taras Khtei, straight after the
final. More pointedly Khtei added: “There is an 8 (4) Cuba
opinion in our country that we should be the
leaders, so we will work on it and we will try 9 (3) Serbia
to stay on top.”
10 (13) Finland

11 (9) Germany
Alexander
Volkov: ‘It’s in 12 (12) France
our minds where
we have to win’ 13 (16) Korea

14 (-) Portugal

15 (-) Japan

16 (-) Puerto Rico

Last year’s final positions in brackets

Ashish Sharma spent 12 years working at the BBC

World Service covering major sporting events including
volleyball. He now runs Sport Syndicate International in
Spain, providing sporting content for some of the biggest
worldwide networks.

VolleyWorld 19
By Andrea
Zorzi

POINT OF VIEW

The wonderful Polish fans

‘The Russians were celebrating

a lot, much more than usual’

‘Russia have waited for a

long time but they absolutely
deserved this victory’
Andrea Zorzi of Italy won two FIVB Volleyball
Men’s World Championship crowns in 1990
and 1994 as well as three World League titles
from 1990-1992, including the MVP award in
1990 and 1991. He covered this year’s
tournament as a journalist.

20 VolleyWorld
Russia proved too strong for Brazil
in the final

Russian coach Vladimir Alekno (right) shakes

hands with Brazilian counterpart Bernardinho

After the final the Russian players went back to their locker room
screaming and jumping for joy, like we’ve seen the Brazilian players do
on many occasions. The Russians were celebrating a lot, much more
than usual, and maybe this new behaviour is one of the reasons why,
after 10 years, they finally became the champions again. They’ve waited
for a long time but they absolutely deserved this victory. I was one of
those who thought that Brazil would win again and after the final their
coach Bernardinho was very quiet. He admitted Brazil were no longer
the best team in the world and that now they have to follow Russia.
Poland’s coach [Andrea Anastasi] was very happy because after a
couple of months of hard work he saw some improvement. His players
were not just playing with power but they were using their head and
playing smartly, and so they moved faster with a better correlation
between block and defence. And finally, in my opinion and also
Anastasi’s opinion, he would want to thank the wonderful fans, the
wonderful organisation and also the wonderful pictures from POLSAT
who broadcast these World League Finals perfectly.

VolleyWorld 21
 SPOTLIGHT

Whatever happened
to all the Heroes?
22 VolleyWorld
 The Ergo Arena, Gdansk, venue for the FIVB World League
Finals and for the second launch of the FIVB Heroes campaign

I
f you were beginning to wonder whatever happened to all the
heroes – wonder no more. In the 21st century heroes play
volleyball or beach volleyball, and they’ll be coming to an arena
near you to show you how. The FIVB’s new campaign - FIVB Heroes
- has taken the sport by storm since its launch during the FIVB
Beach Volleyball Swatch World Championships in Rome in June.
Now it is set to raise volleyball’s global profile even higher over the
coming 12 months leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

VolleyWorld 23
 FIVB Heroes is a crucial part of the FIVB’s new “The second launch held in Gdansk was equally
marketing approach, which also includes a successful and proved that the FIVB is moving in
comprehensive brand relaunch that aims to raise the right direction with the full support of the
the profile of athletes and FIVB events through national federations and the athletes, with global
innovative communication and PR activities. The interest coming from the media.”
SPOTLIGHT

messages are short and snappy: “It’s not how big

you are, it’s how big you play,” say the USA’s Olympic The selection procedure is as rigorous as you would
and former world champions Todd Rogers and Phil expect – only those with eye-catching charisma who
Dalhausser. “Raise your expectations,” adds Brazil’s act as role models for future generations are
Maria Clara Salgado, owner of the fastest serve on considered for membership of this exclusive club.
the women’s FIVB Swatch World Tour. Other factors brought into consideration are the
competition statistics from recent years, tournament
In all there were 29 beach volleyball “heroes” from wins and ranking points. Only those who score
six nations on hand to help with the launch at the highly enough in all of these categories earn the title
Foro Italico. Representing volleyball another 13 of “FIVB Hero”.
women and 15 men from a total of 16 countries
were introduced to the public in their new “Hero” In Rome two giant statues of double Olympic
roles at the beginning of July at the World League champion Kerri Walsh and double world champion
Finals in Gdansk, and they will also appear at the Emanuel Rego, made from polystyrene and plastic,
World Grand Prix Finals in Macau. Thirty-second each measuring five metres high and weighing
trailers will be available to watch at tournaments and 330kg, were on display at Foro Italico to mark the
on television, and awareness is also being raised at launch while in Gdansk 20,000 postcards were
www.FIVBheroes.com and on Facebook. distributed and giant-sized billboards dominated the
outside of the Ergo Arena, impressing upon many
The man behind this stunning new campaign is FIVB the immense scale of such a project.
Executive Vice-President and Treasurer André Meyer.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better venue to launch Over the course of the next year giant statues of
the campaign than Rome, a place full of symbolism volleyball and beach volleyball Heroes will make
and history,” he said. “We have undertaken a special appearances at a tournament near you before
significant and crucial step in the repositioning of the again being on display to millions at the Olympic
FIVB and the sport of volleyball but this is only the Games in London where the FIVB expects its
beginning. Now the implementation will start: we “Heroes” campaign to reach its climax.
want to be positioning volleyball and beach volleyball
as highly athletic and highly professional disciplines,
played around the globe and backed by a strong brand.

Kerri Walsh (left) and Emanuel Rego (right) pose

with their giant selves at the Foro Italico in Rome

24 VolleyWorld
Above: FIVB volleyball Heroes (from left to right) Giba (Brazil), Clayton Stanley (USA), Zbigniew Bartman (Poland), Murilo
(Brazil), Maxim Mikhaylov (Russia) and Wilfredo Leon (Cuba). Below: Official advertising for the beach volleyball Heroes

VolleyWorld 25
 By Adam
Szreter

IN FOCUS

Switzerland’s
women seizing
their moment

26 VolleyWorld
 Switzerland’s Melanie Pauli enjoying the
moment during a friendly against USA at
the Montreux Volley Masters in June

The day that Switzerland decided to

launch a joint bid with Germany to host
the 2013 European Women’s Volleyball
Championship might one day be looked
back upon as the day when volleyball in
Switzerland was re-born.

VolleyWorld 27
 The new millennium began badly for Swiss
volleyball. The country’s federation came close
to bankruptcy, and both of its national teams
IN FOCUS

were disbanded. The men’s team reformed, but

mainly to take part in Universiade competitions
once every two years, while the women’s team
remained completely dormant – until last year.
Once the CEV had accepted the Swiss-German
bid for “Euro 2013”, a team that could not only
compete but bring a degree of respectability
to Swiss volleyball was essential if the country
was to take advantage of co-hosting such a
prestigious event.

When the moment came to develop the Swiss

national women’s team for 2013 and beyond, VBC
Voléro Zürich, CEV Champions League regulars
and Switzerland’s only fully professional club,
were asked to use all of their experience and
take on the responsibility of organising not only
the Swiss part of the tournament but producing
a team the country could be proud of.

Laura Unternährer puts one

over the USA at Montreux

“The idea was very simple,” says Stav Jacobi,

now the director of the Swiss women’s national
team. “If we were going to compete we would
need a professional team. Switzerland had only
one professional player [Anne-Sylvie Monnet, now
in charge of Sport & Training for Swiss Volley, the
Swiss federation]. Today it’s not possible to go to
such a competition as the European Championship
without professional players.”

In partnership with Swiss Volley, Jacobi and his

team set about recruiting girls who were prepared
to throw themselves into volleyball full time for
the sake of their country, perhaps giving up their
day job in the process. One who needed very little
encouragement was 30-year-old Aida Shouk, a
“survivor” of the previous incarnation of the Swiss
women’s team who first played for her country at
the age of 16.

“After all the financial problems of the federation

I had decided to stop playing and have a normal
life,” explained Aida, who worked for an
international human resources company. “It was
a great job and I thought I would never quit. But
when I heard about this project I didn’t sleep for
the next two weeks. It was what I’d been waiting
for all my life, because even if I had never been a
professional volleyball player before, in my heart
I always was one.”

28 VolleyWorld
 Aida did quit her job and since June 2010 she has
been one of the senior players in the Swiss team,
mentoring the younger players and helping head
coach Svetlana Ilic to mould the team. “I had my
birthday recently and a friend asked me, ‘So how
has the last year been for you?’” said Aida. “I said
honestly it’s been the best year of my life. I never
thought I would get this chance. I feel like a little
girl living her dream.”

But the Swiss project is not just about one year,

or even the next three years leading up to the
European Championships. “We are trying to build
a road that goes to 2015, 2017, 2020,” says Jacobi.
“This is just the start. We’re fully aware that within
two or three years we cannot expect to be the
best. But we’ll try, maybe to win one set, maybe
one game, then maybe we’ll go to the next stage.
Whatever we achieve it will be a positive result.
Then maybe we can qualify for the Final Round on
our own, and so on.” For the Swiss women for the
time being, the only way is up.

Above: The Swiss

women’s team, with coach
Svetlana Ilic far right.
Below: Aida Shouk

The Swiss block holding firm

‘Honestly it’s been the

best year of my life. I never
thought I would get this
chance. I feel like a little
girl living her dream’

VolleyWorld 29
 By Hori
Soichi

INTERVIEW

Manabe pointing
‘Phoenix Japan’ to
the podium

30 VolleyWorld
 Masayoshi Manabe, a
former setter, at first
glance appears to be a
silent type but he has a
more steely character than
his outward appearance
would suggest

B
uoyed by a superb showing at last year’s
FIVB Women’s World Championship,
Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe is
confident that despite recent events he can
steer Japan to bigger and better things, starting
with the 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix in August
and culminating, he hopes, in a podium finish
at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Japan ended 32 years of hurt and frustration

when they pulled off a stunning upset of the
United States in a five-set thriller to claim the
bronze medal at the worlds in Tokyo last
autumn. The medal was Japan’s first since
taking silver at the 1978 World Championship
and has boosted Manabe’s confidence ahead
of this year’s FIVB World Cup in November,
where a top-three finish would secure a berth
at next year’s Olympics.

‘’From the 1992 Barcelona Olympics through

to the 2008 Beijing Olympics most of the
teams that have won medals have finished in
the top three at the World Cup the previous
year,’’ said the 47-year-old Manabe. ‘’The teams
that have to win a place via the continental
qualifiers just a few months before the
Olympics have to recondition their squads
to peak again at the Olympics, and that is
incredibly hard for female players.’’

Significant signs of Japan’s progress under

Manabe came first of all at last year’s World
Grand Prix finals, where they finished fifth
but beat Brazil and Italy along the way; and
then at this year’s Montreux Volley Masters in
Switzerland where, despite fielding a second-
string side, Japan triumphed 3-0 over Cuba
in the final. Manabe’s ‘’Hinotori Nippon’’
(“Phoenix Japan”) will now be gunning for
a top-three finish at the World Cup.

‘’Basically 14 players that competed at the

World Championship will be the core of the
squad,’’ Manabe said. Ace Saori Kimura and
veteran setter Yoshie Takeshita, who serves
both as a player and a coach, are indispensable
while Manabe also hopes Megumi Kurihara
will be available after surgery for cartilage
damage in her left knee. ‘’She is crucial to the
The Japanese women’s team celebrate team and I want to have her back as quickly
their bronze medal under Manabe at last as possible,’’ added the coach.
year’s World Championships

VolleyWorld 31
 INTERVIEW

Above: ‘I love a challenge and I am the type that likes to try and carry through my targets until the end,’
says Manabe. Below: Veteran setter Yoshie Takeshita, who serves both as a player and a coach

So what is specifically required of Japan’s

women in order to register good results at
the Grand Prix and then the World Cup and
the Olympics? ‘’Japanese players have a
handicap in that they are not very tall and
have short arms so we have to use our
strengths in defence to compete at the top
level,” said Manabe. “In addition, we have to
show speed and accuracy [in receiving and
passing] and look for originality that other
JAPAN WOMEN:
teams don’t have.’’
RESULTS IN MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Manabe, a former setter, at first glance SINCE 2005
appears to be a silent type but he has a more
steely character than his outward appearance
(Coach: Shoichi Yanagimoto)
would suggest. ‘’I love a challenge and I am
the type that likes to try and carry through my 2005
targets until the end. I represented Japan as Grand Champions Cup: 5th
a player for many years but now I want to be Grand Prix: 5th
on the Olympic stage as a head coach,’’ said
Manabe, who was officially appointed as the 2006
women’s coach in December 2008. World Championship: 6th
Grand Prix: 6th
Manabe began developing a strategy
immediately after last year’s worlds with his 2007
staff, building knowledge by watching world World Cup: 7th
volleyball on a daily basis and exchanging Grand Prix: 9th
information. He has also been attending
domestic league games, leaving him with 2008
little time to relax or spend time with his Olympic Games: =5th
family when he returns home. If Manabe Grand Prix: 6th
achieves his lofty goals at the Grand Prix,
the World Cup and then the Olympics the
time will come for happy family life. Until (Coach: Masayoshi Manabe)
then, the endurance continues.
2009
Grand Champions Cup: 4th
Grand Prix: 6th

2010
World Championship: 3rd
Grand Prix: 5th

32 VolleyWorld
Preliminary Round Pools Composition
Week 1, 5 - 7 August 2011
Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D
Bydgoszcz, Poland Nakhonpathom, Thailand Busan, Korea Luohe, China

Poland Thailand Korea China

Italy Cuba Brazil USA
Dom Rep Peru Japan Serbia
Argentina Russia Germany Kazakhstan

Week 2, 12 - 14 August 2011

Pool E Pool F Pool G Pool H
Zielona Gora, Poland Almaty, Kazakhstan Quanzhou, China Komaki, Japan

Poland Kazakhstan China Japan

Cuba Italy Russia USA
Korea Brazil Germany Serbia
Argentina Thailand Peru Dom Rep

Week 3, 19 - 21 August 2011

Pool I Pool J Pool K Pool L
Hong Kong, China Hong Kong, China Bangkok, Thailand Tokyo, Japan

China USA Thailand Japan

Poland Italy Cuba Russia
Dom Rep Germany Brazil Serbia
Kazakhstan Peru Argentina Korea

Final Round
August 24-28, 2011, Macau, China
China and the top seven teams after the Preliminary Round will qualify for the Final Round

Ten years after the successful staging of the 2001 FIVB World Grand Prix Final
Round, Macau will play host to the 19th edition of the elite international women’s
tournament. The venue will be the Macau East Asian Games Dome (pictured left).

Macau is situated on the south coast of China and was originally a Portuguese
colony before becoming one of two special administrative regions of China
(the other being Hong Kong). Mainly relying on tourism, the city has become
a favourite destination for many travellers.

VolleyWorld 33
 DEVELOPMENT

Haiti and Sri Lanka

showcase Volleyball
at School

34 VolleyWorld
 In Sri Lanka, where
volleyball is the
national sport, the
Sri Lanka Volleyball
Federation (SLVF)
joined forces with
the DSI Group and
the Sri Lanka Schools
Volleyball Association
for the 13th time
to stage one of the
biggest events of its
kind in June and July

Highly successful recent initiatives in Haiti and Sri Lanka have

served to remind everyone just how important school volleyball
is to the development of the sport in all countries. Nearly 360
teams from every region took part in Haiti’s first national school
championship, while the DSI Super Sports Schools Volleyball
Championship in Sri Lanka, where 5,000 teams were expected
to take part, goes from strength to strength.

VolleyWorld 35
 The FIVB’s Volleyball at School programme
remains a fundamental tool for the introduction
of volleyball to young children through simple
games like drills. Children need actions that are
motivated by the personality of the teacher, who
DEVELOPMENT

can help to create the culture and motivation to

participate. Volleyball at School endorses
cooperation and team spirit.

The event in Haiti, organized by the Federation

Haitienne de Volleyball (FHVB), featured boys and
girls from 7 to 21 years of age, split into three
age categories. The finals were played at the
Lycée Alexandre Dumas in Port-au-Prince at the
end of May, with schools from the cities of Port
Margot and Ouanaminthe in the north, Hinche in
the central plateau, and Port-au-Prince and Petit
Goave in the west taking the honours.

Thanks to extensive media coverage the

popularity of the event confirmed that
volleyball is being reborn in a country still
recovering from earthquake devastation. Tough
challenges still lie ahead for the FHVB, with
many school playgrounds still being used as
camps or temporary classrooms; but judging
by the success of their first national school
championship they are going in the right direction.

‘It’s the duty of each

federation to make sure
kids get acquainted with Above and below: The event in Haiti, organized
volleyball, to create school by the Federation Haitienne de Volleyball
(FHVB), featured boys and girls from 7 to 21
programmes or use existing years of age, split into three age categories.
The finals were played at the Lycée Alexandre
programmes’ Dumas in Port-au-Prince at the end of May

36 VolleyWorld
 In Sri Lanka the Super Kids Volleyball Fiesta for Under-12s, being
staged for the sixth time, attracted over 1,000 school teams alone

In Sri Lanka, where volleyball is the national The main championship, played at district,
sport, the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation provincial and national levels in both male and
(SLVF) joined forces with the DSI Group and female categories at Under-14, Under-16 and
the Sri Lanka Schools Volleyball Association for Under-18 age-groups, drew over 60,000
the 13th time to stage one of the biggest players and it is evident that this tournament
events of its kind in June and July. The Super has provided both rural and urban-based
Kids Volleyball Fiesta for Under-12s, being schoolchildren in Sri Lanka every opportunity
staged for the sixth time, attracted over 1,000 to showcase their talents.
school teams alone.
“It’s the duty of each federation to make
sure kids get acquainted with volleyball,
to create school programmes or use existing
programmes such as Volleyball in School and
Cool Volley,” says Vicente Araujo, the FIVB
Development Commission president.
“Thanks to the Development Fund and the
FIVB’s online material, many less developed
federations are now starting to apply for
projects that are targeted to implement
Volleyball at School programmes in their
respective countries.” (See page 40)

The FIVB’s Volleyball at School

programme remains a fundamental
tool for the introduction of
volleyball to young children

VolleyWorld 37
 Making waves in
the Maldives
AVC

T
he Maldives is a leading destination The Maldives men’s team competing at last year’s
for scuba diving and it might one day South Asian Games in Dhaka
become a hot spot for volleyball too
if a committed band of locals get their way.
With its slogan “Volleyball – A Sport for All”,
the Volleyball Association of the Maldives
(VAM) is on a mission to develop the sport
in this corner of the Indian Ocean.

VAM’s efforts since its 1983 foundation

earned it recognition at the 2010 FIVB World
Congress for its achievements in promoting
volleyball, and there are now hundreds of
players, male and female, participating in
events such as the VAM Cup, National
Championships and National League.
Recent gauges of the sport’s growth include
the 2010 Association Cup, which drew 156
players from 13 teams, and last year’s Inter
Resort Zone Championship, featuring a
record number of 16 teams.

Because of the Maldives’ geography

– its estimated 350,000 population is
spread across 200 inhabited islands – the
association has also established a brand-
new Atoll League. The Maldives comprises
26 atolls, each containing a string of islands,
and the islands in each atoll will compete
against one another.

There are now hundreds of players, male and female, participating in events
such as the VAM Cup, National Championships and National League

38 VolleyWorld
 Above: The Volleyball Association of the Maldives (VAM) is on a mission to develop the sport in this corner of
the Indian Ocean. Below: The Maldives (in red) in action at last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China

VAM’s general secretary, Mr Hussain

Mohamed, explained: “The formation and
establishment of this Atoll League will pave
the way to identifying good administrators
and managers within the volleyball family at
both island level and atoll level. We will elect
regional volleyball associations and VAM will
become a federation in 2012.”

VAM has also made a concerted effort to

promote beach volleyball with events including
the Men’s Inter Resort BVB Tournament, the
National BVB Championship for men and
women, and the BVB Men’s Invitation
Tournament, as well as grassroots courses
on the Faafu and Lhaviyani atolls. And through
the School Volleyball Clubs scheme, 13 teams
competed in the latest inter-school volleyball
tournament involving 166 youngsters across
four age groups. For the first time this year’s
calendar also included an inter-school beach
volleyball championship, while in March VAM
staged an inaugural beach volleyball festival in
the capital, Malé, attracting 100 children.

Association president Mohamed Riyaz is

optimistic about the future. “We know what
our goals are. We have a set of plans to
achieve them. And locally we have the fullest
support from the Ministry and MOC [Maldives
Olympic Committee], while the assistance and
guidance we get directly from the FIVB and
AVC makes it possible to ‘keep the ball flying’
in the Maldives.”

VolleyWorld 39
 Togo inspired by
primary colours
CAVB

Volleyball in Primary School aims to introduce boys and girls in Togo from an early
age to the sport of volleyball, as well as the art of manufacturing balls and nets

S
chool volleyball in Togo received a Togolese Ministry of Sports as well as more
welcome boost at the end of June than 400 pupils from several schools in the
when FIVB President Jizhong Wei Togolese capital.
was on hand to help the Togo Volleyball
Federation (FTVB) launch the “Volleyball in President Wei handed over many balls to the
Primary School” project in the Togolese schools after visiting volleyball net and ball
capital Lome. manufacturing facilities run by students at
the schools. He congratulated members of
Volleyball in Primary School aims to the FTVB and the schoolchildren for their
introduce boys and girls from an early age to hard work and encouraged them in a project
the sport of volleyball, as well as the art of that will help to increase volleyball activity in
manufacturing balls and nets. The FTVB also the west African country.
plans to organise training courses for
schoolteachers for teaching volleyball at “It’s an interesting project and we are ready
school, as well as training workshops for to accompany and support the Togolese
coaches in technical manufacture. Federation for its success,” said President
Wei. The FIVB has pledged its support to the
The launch ceremony was held on the FTVB for the project with a budget of
grounds of Tokoin High School in the $48,000. The Togolese government has also
presence of members of the Executive pledged 10 million CFA Francs ($22,000) per
Board of the FTVB, officials from the year to support the project.

40 VolleyWorld
K
enya Pipelines beat Kenya
Commercial Bank 3-0 (25-17, 25-21,
25-6) in the women’s final to lift the
Paul Bitok international volleyball
tournament, played outdoors at Eldoret
Polytechnic, Nairobi, in front of more than
10,000 fans. In the men’s final, what was
expected to be an epic confrontation
between Ulinzi and Rwanda’s APR failed
lived up to its billing after rain stopped the
tie in the second set, meaning the teams
will have to share the prize money and
the trophy for the next 12 months. The Paul Bitok tournament took place in Eldoret, the
fifth largest town in Kenya and the fastest growing

‘It’s an
interesting
project and
we are ready
to accompany
and support
the Togolese
Federation for
its success’
- FIVB President
Mr Jizhong Wei

Togo is one of the less

developed federations to have
applied for projects targeted
to implement Volleyball at
School programmes

VolleyWorld 41
 Myszkowska leads
CEV

referee revolution
I
t was perhaps fitting that in the immediate
wake of the second CEV seminar for
female match referees in Switzerland in
June, Polish referee Agnieszka Myszkowska
should have offered an example of the way
forward when participating in the FIVB Beach
Volleyball Swatch World Championships
in Rome.

Wider opportunities for women was top

of the agenda for the seminar, chaired by
the president of the European Refereeing
Commission (ERC) Dr Jan Rek. It drew 35
referees from 24 countries and featured
presentations from sports scientist Jonas
Personeni and Svetlana Ilic, the former
Yugoslavia and Serbia international now
coaching Voléro Zürich and the Switzerland
women’s national team.

Those present considered the minor

involvement of female referees registered in
international volleyball and beach volleyball
competitions – the key question to emerge
from a survey taken of 112 female referees Agnieszka Myszkowska, above, and below taking
from 32 countries. charge of a match at this year’s FIVB Beach
Volleyball Swatch World Championships in Rome

42 VolleyWorld
Delegates at the second CEV seminar for female match referees
met in Jongny, overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland

FIVB President Jizhong Wei and his European “It is a big advantage to be here because
confederation counterpart André Meyer I can learn from the more experienced
attended the opening of the seminar on 10 referees we have here – five to six referees
June at the Centre du Léman in Jongny and who will be going to the Olympic Games,”
its staging in combination with the Montreux said Myszkowska, a software engineer back
Volley Masters allowed for the opportunity to in Poland. “It’s great to be here but it is also
compare the different approaches of male and a big responsibility because there are great
female referees. The organisers hope the expectations from the players and coaches,”
seminar – which followed the inaugural 2010 she added.
event in Rome – will help increase the
confidence of female referees about their Myszkowska’s journey to the top began as a
chances of officiating at international volleyball referee before she switched to the
competitions. sport’s other code. “I like beach volleyball,”
she said. “We are closer to the players so we
June’s beach volleyball extravaganza in Rome can speak to them and the weather is also
was the first taste of the World Championships better! I passed my course in 2008 in Vaduz
for the 34-year-old Myszkowska who was the in Liechtenstein and in 2009 I became an
only woman referee involved at the Foro international referee so it took three years to
Italico. She admitted that her involvement in be here.” A meteoric rise – and where
the World Championships was a priceless Myszkowska has ventured, the hope is that
learning opportunity. other women will follow.

VolleyWorld 43
 Claudinha sets
her sights on the
CSV

Seleção
I
t is a scene that has played out many This has become a familiar routine for the
times recently at Brazil’s Volleyball 23-year-old from the Usiminas/Minas club,
Development Centre in Saquarema, who is now seeking to make her mark with
the country’s surfing capital located some the national team. Her opportunity was due
100km east of Rio de Janeiro. to come at the beginning of July with her
inclusion in the squad travelling to the Yeltsin
The Brazil national women’s team reach the Cup in Russia under the wing of Zé Roberto’s
end of their training session and every player assistant, Claudio Pinheiro. “This experience
leaves the court bar one. It is Claudinha who in the national team has been amazing,”
remains, together with the head coach, José Claudinha said. “I feel I am making big
Roberto Guimarães, aka Zé Roberto. He progress physically and technically. I want to
points to the wall and a picture of Fofão, the stay in the squad in the future – I know it will
2008 Olympic champion and famed Brazilian not be easy but I’m going to work hard every
setter, asking Claudinha to look at her day to achieve my goal.”
movement and to mimic it. Claudinha takes
several attempts and eventually earns praise
from her coach, having captured the
movement as requested.

‘I want to stay in the

squad in the future
– I know it will not be
easy but I’m going to
work hard every day
to achieve my goal’
Claudinha (right) at full stretch

Paula Pequeno making a great save

44 VolleyWorld
Above: ‘Claudinha is a fighter on the court,’ says Brazil coach Zé Roberto. ‘If she keeps
on working hard in training, she has everything she needs to get there’. Below: Fofão,
Brazil’s Olympic champion setter, is a hard act for Claudinha to follow

Not surprisingly, she draws inspiration from

Fofão and Fernanda Venturini, both setters, and
another player she looks up to is wing-spiker
Paula Pequeno, now a colleague in the national
squad. “I don’t think I’ve ever told her that,
though,” Claudinha added. “I really like the way
she behaves on the court. She gets the crowd
going and she gives 100 per cent for the team.”

Claudinha hopes to be able to play a role

for her country too. “I want to help the group.
Of course, I’d like to get experience in
international games,” she said, looking ahead
to the trip to Russia. “The competition will
give the team experience and I hope to
continue developing.”

Brazil coach Zé Roberto will hope so too,

having been impressed by her dedication
during the squad’s training camp in Aryzão.
“Claudinha is a fighter on the court,” he said.
“She was always eager and willing and has
progressed with every day. She has quality
and potential. She still needs to improve
certain aspects of her game but if she keeps
on working hard in training, she has everything
she needs to get there.”

VolleyWorld 45
 Pavan holds
NORCECA
Olympic dream
for Canada
S
arah Pavan hopes to polish an be back. “Last season was my first
already sparkling resume by helping opportunity to come back and I wasn’t
her country qualify for the women’s disappointed,’’ she said. “The coaching
Olympic volleyball tournament for the first staff and my team-mates were the best
time since 1996. The lure of the world’s group I’ve ever worked with.”
biggest sporting event is a huge motivating
factor for this native of Kitchener, Ontario Pavan, 25 in August, had initially made
and she is confident that Canada can make the Canada team at 16 in 2003 and shone
it to London. straight away at the FIVB Grand Prix and the
NORCECA Championship. She joined the
“This is a very important year,’’ said Pavan. University of Nebraska in 2004 and became
‘’I’m really looking forward to it and am a perennial NCAA All-Star as well as leading
excited to be part of this team trying to Nebraska to the 2006 national title. She
achieve a big goal.’’ A one-time teenage then played professionally in Italy for Spes
prodigy, Pavan returned to the Canada Volley Conegliano but injuries curbed her
national set-up in 2010 and is delighted to involvement with Canada until last year.

A proud Canada team, with Pavan far right, line up

at last year’s FIVB Women’s World Championship

46 VolleyWorld
 ‘The great thing about playing for your
country is the dedication everyone has to
hard work. It’s a structured environment
and you become great friends with your
team-mates’

Beaten in every game at the 2010 FIVB according to the player, who was the only
World Championship, the Canadians are a foreigner on her team. “I learned a lot. There
long shot for London but don’t tell that to was a lot of emphasis on training but I
Pavan. “Things have really started to turn couldn’t complain. My job was to score
around for us over the past couple of years. points. I had a very satisfying season.’’
It was evident throughout last summer we
were improving. We have to continue to work Still, there is no place like home for a player
hard and make the necessary adjustments whose father Paul coached her at Forest
so we can finish the job.’’ Heights Collegiate in Kitchener, and whose
mother Cindy represented Canada. “The great
Pavan spent five months over the last thing about playing for your country is the
Canadian winter in South Korea playing for dedication. Everyone has to hard work, it’s
the Korea Expressway Corporation club. She a structured environment and you become
was third in the league scoring chart and great friends with your team-mates,” added
helped her side to the semifinals after six Pavan, hoping even better times lie around
years outside the play-offs – “a huge step” the corner.

Pavan, 25 in August, had initially made the Canada team at 16 in 2003 and shone
straight away at the FIVB World Grand Prix and the NORCECA Championship

VolleyWorld 47
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Ask Tom Hoff

There will be an exclusive question and answer
session with the former USA captain and Beijing
2008 Olympic gold medallist Tom Hoff in the next
issue of VolleyWorld, and we’d like you to submit
your questions.
You can ask anything from technical questions
about how to play the game to what he used
to eat before matches. Submit your questions
to ask@fivb.org and we’ll pick a collection
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