2006 Men’s Volleyball World Championship:
Teams  Results  Standings  Photos  match details
 Day 5
Poland, Brazil, Bulgaria and Serbia Montenegro leaders of the pools
Fukuoka/Nagano/Saitama/Sendai, 22nd November 2006 – Brazil were the only non-European team to win one of the four first round pools in the FIVB Men’s World Championship today and the only pool winner to concede a match, as Bulgaria, Poland and Serbia and Montenegro all finished with a 5-0 record. France, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic will now join Brazil and Bulgaria, as well as NORCECA rivals Cuba and USA in second round Pool E in Hiroshima from Saturday. Poland and Serbia and Montenegro will be joined in Sendai in Pool F by strong European rivals Russia, plus hosts Japan, Argentina, Canada, Puerto Rico and Tunisia. China, Egypt, Greece, Korea and Venezuela are eliminated together with winless Australia, Iran and Kazakhstan.


Record crowd in Saitama for Pool A final
Poland completed Pool A with a perfect 5-0 win-loss record by beating Japan 3-0 at Saitama Super Arena on Wednesday night. In front of a record volleyball crowd of 19,836, the Poles held off the challenge of the host team 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 for their fifth consecutive straight-sets victory. The result left Japan with a 3-2 record but already qualified for the second round in Sendai.

Pumped-up Puerto Rico beat China 3-1 in the afternoon, running out 25-17, 25-13, 21-25, 26-24 winners on their third match point to improve their win-loss record to 2-3 and edge ahead of China to advance to the second round on points ratio difference.

Argentina booked their place in the second round by scrambling past Egypt 3-1. The South Americans won 25-18, 29-31, 25-20, 25-20 to improve their win-loss record to 2-3 and leave Egypt at the bottom of the six-team pool at 1-4. Argentina's second win was enough to join Poland, Japan and Puerto Rico in the second round in Sendai.


Brazil rally to finish top of Pool B
World Champions Brazil ended Germany's dream run with an efficient 3-0 victory in Fukuoka. The Brazilians produced a no-nonsense display to score a 25-13, 25-21, 25-22 victory that took their win-loss record to 4-1 after the completion of their preliminary matches.

Germany, who stunned France 3-1 on Tuesday, also have a 4-1 record as both teams comfortably qualified for the second round in Hiroshima. Brazil's margin of victory boosted their points ratio and enabled them to finish ahead of the Germans in the group.

France defeated Cuba 3-1 to complete their Pool B campaign with a 4-1 win-loss record. The French joined World Champions Brazil and Germany, their conquerors on Tuesday, on 4-1 after their 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-17 victory over the Cubans, who dropped to 2-3.

Greece claimed some consolation for an overall disappointing tournament when they beat Australia 3-1 in their final Pool B match. The two previously winless teams went all out to break their duck but it was the Greeks who emerged victorious, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23. Greece improved their win-loss record to 1-4 while the endearing Aussies had to settle for 0-5 after losing all five matches. Neither team were able to qualify for the second round and neither of them wanted to leave Fukuoka without a victory.


USA qualify for the second round on points ratio in Pool C
Bulgaria defeated the Czech Republic 20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21 to finish the first round unbeaten. The Czechs qualified for the second round in third place of the pool.

The USA threw their name in the hat for second round qualification with a straight sets defeat of Iran. The Americans scored their second victory of the competition with the 25-19, 25-22, 25-23 win, giving them the same 2-2 final win-loss record as the Czech Republic in Pool C.

Italy took Venezuela's World Championships destiny out of their hands with a 25-13, 22-25, 25-21, 25-15 victory over the South Americans. The win confirmed Italy's place as Pool C runners-up but left Venezuela on the wrong side of a points ratio calculation that handed the USA the pool’s final second round berth.


Tunisia notches up second win in Pool D to advance to next stage
Tunisia went through to the second round at the expense of South Korea after their second win in the pool with a 25-19, 25-23, 26-24 victory over winless Kazakhstan.

Serbia-Montenegro will start the second round with a valuable unbeaten record after storming past Canada in straight sets. The fourth-ranked Serbia-Montenegro, fourth at the 2002 world championships, notched their fifth victory 25-18, 25-18, 25-17 with another polished performance in Pool D.

No. 3 ranked Russia snuffed out South Korea’s slim hopes of reaching the second round with a three-set rout. Russia cruised to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-13 win to move to the second round with a 4-1 record.



Tarek Aladwar from Japan
 
Tunisia, the first ever African team to qualify to the second round
Japan, November 22-: Tunisia becomes the first ever African team to qualify to the second round of the World Championship in history to ensure the positive steps of Africa towards the World level in the last few years. The previous African champions secured a second round slot following their straight sets victory over Kazakhstan at Sendai City Gymnasium in the fifth ands final day of the preliminary round Pool D on Wednesday. the Tunisians ended their matches in the pool in the fourth position to continue in the competition pool E which will be held in Sendai also starting from Friday. The African champions lost the last chance to qualify in the final day as they lost their critical match against Argentina In Saitama Super Arena in the competition Pool A to end the preliminary round at the bottom of the pool.

Egypt eliminated and gave the qualification slot to Argentina

Saitama, Japan, November 22, 2006: Argentina booked a place in the second round by scrambling past Egypt 3-1 in Pool A at Saitama Super Arena on Wednesday.

12pt">Japan and Puerto Rico from Pool A in the second round in Sendai, while eliminating Egypt and China.

Gustavo Porporatto out-foxed Mohamed Elnafrawy at the net to take Argentina closer to the first set 23-14, and Gaston Giani brought up set point at 24-15 with a winner from the left.

When Argentina spluttered down the stretch and missed the first three opportunities, head coach Jon Uriarte took them off for a TO to calm them down. When they returned at 24-18, Giani made no mistake this time with a crisp right-wing drive.

Captain Marcos Milinkovic and middle blocker Alejandro Spajic both scored five points in the first set, but Argentina could not stop Egyptian southpaw Ahmed Salah Elnaeim from compiling seven, including six spikes.

Argentina led by two at the first technical break of the second set, thanks to some fluid winners on the right from Milinkovic. For Egypt, Salah also displayed his defensive qualities with a stunning block on Giani.

Salah and Milinkovic traded classic spikes on the right side of their respective courts, and the Argentine captain received warm applause from the neutral fans after moving his team ahead 13-10 with a series of textbook attacks before finally beating the determined Egyptian defense. On the opposite flank, a clean drive from Jeronimo Bidegain earned full marks from their vocal coach, Uriarte, as Argentina moved ahead by three at the second TTO.

Hossam Shaarawy reminded the Argentines of his skill at the net, and some pounding winners from Salah enabled the Africans to pull level 18-18.

Milinkovic used all his experience and court craft to find spaces in the Egypt court, but his team as a whole had lost their rhythm and Egypt pulled two clear, 22-20, to bring about an Argentina TO.

In an untidy end to the second set, Egypt took it 31-29 on their seventh set point after Argentina had missed two opportunities to take a two-set lead. Egypt captain Hamdy ElSafy saved the second of those Argentine set points with a cool winner from the left before, on the next point, he blocked his opposite number Milinkovic to bring up Egypt's seventh set point. Milinkovic pushed one long to end the set tamely, 1-1.

Egypt trailed 8-5 at the first TTO of the third set, but Salah struck quickly from the right on the resumption, and his blistering serve set up Ashraf Abouel Hassan for an easy winner at the net, 8-7.

Trailing 13-8, Egypt withdrew Salah from the attack. Without their ace to worry about, Argentine setter Luciano De Cecco turned his attentions to Saleh Fathy Youssef, and another fine block by the youngster kept his team in command.

Argentina looked to be cruising to the third set before Egypt staged a late rally to close the gap to 22-18 and force an Argentina TO. Mahmoud Elkoumy struck twice on the left, the first after a decoy leap by the impressive Shaarawy, and a rocket serve from Abdallah Ahmed whistled past Giani.

The gap was too wide, though, and Argentina closed out the third set 25-20 to lead 2-1.

The early stages of the fourth set were full of clean spikes from both teams, although a wild one from the recalled Salah gave Argentina a two-point lead, 6-4, and prompted an Egypt TO. Spajic brought up the first TTO, 8-4 Argentina.

Despite falling behind 13-9, Egypt did not want to make this last Pool A match their last match of the World Championships for another four years, and continued to unsettle Argentina.

An ace from Ahmed brought Egypt level 18-18, only for Milinkovic to settle his team's nerves with yet another hard-earned winner. A Bidegain block maintained the momentum, 21-18, as Argentina moved in for the kill.

Argentina were turning to Milinkovic on every attack now, and they took the fourth set 25-20 for 3-1, thanks to Spajic's opportunistic points at the net.


By Tarek ALADWAR from Japan
Egypt and Tunisia lost in a dramatic five setters

Japan, November 20-: Both African representatives Egypt and Tunisia lost their matches in the fourth day of the preliminary round in the 2006 Men’s Volleyball World Championships here in Japan after both were nearer to victories that could put them in a second round spot. Egypt missed eight match points any of them was enough to secure a straight sets victory over china and that allowed the Asian team survive and win a dramatic five- set match in more than 2 hours of thriller performance at Saitama Super Arena in Pool A. Tunisia faced the same situation when they led 2-1 but they finally lost in the tie-break 3-2 against Canada at Sendai City Gymnasium in another two hours of exciting volleyball skills in Pool D.

China save eight match points to defeat Egypt 3-2

Saitama, Japan, November 21, 2006: China saved eight match points before beating Egypt 3-2 on their fifth match point in a pulsating Pool A encounter on Tuesday.

Egypt won the first two sets and missed seven match points in the third set before China fought back to win the next two sets and force the tie-break.

In the fifth-set decider, Egypt missed a further match point before China won it on their fifth match point to complete an amazing victory. China won 22-25, 22-25, 32-30, 25-20, 18-16 to improve their win-loss record to 2-2 while dropping Egypt to 1-3.

Sensing the importance of the occasion, Egypt captain Hamdy El safy led from the front, with some excellent blocking and attacks from the left flank. Saleh Fathy Youssef followed his captain's lead with some accurate spiking from the left wing, as did Hossam Shaarawy at the net.

Egypt led by one point at the first TTO but had increased this to three, 16-13, for the second technical break.

After studying each other's games for three matches, the knowledge learned was clearly being put to good use, as the blocking of both teams was snuffing out the attacking threats on the other side.

China's Tang Miao had to work hard for his points, and captain Sui Shengsheng was taken off with his team down 14-12 and replaced by the strapping teenager Cui Jianjun.

Libero Ren Qi was having another fine game for China, especially on serve reception, and showed his lightning reflexes to cover the gaps between the blockers.

Trailing 22-20, China called a TO but it was too late to save the first set.

El Safy made it 23-21 with another clean winner from the left, Shaarawy blocked Yu Dawei to bring up three set points at 24-21, and southpaw Ahmed Salah Elnaeim finished the job 25-22 with a fiery spike from the right which Shen Qiong tried to control, but saw the ball fly back over the net and clear the Egypt end line, such was the force of Salah's strike.

China's spiking lacked consistency in the second set, too, and Tang was withdrawn from the attack after a wild spike had pushed Egypt ahead 10-8. He was replaced by Yuan Zhi, who responded by scoring the next point but who would give way to Tang with China down 14-12.

The athletic Shen caught the eye again with the variety of his spiking, and a heavily sliced attack caught out the Egypt block and defense to even the score at 10-10.

Another clean spike on the left from Youssef moved Egypt in front 15-13, and Salah serve hit the net cord and bounced over for 16-13 at the second TTO.

Egypt stayed in front down the stretch, and a crunching block by Salah on Shen gave them a three-point lead at 22-19 and prompted a China TO.

Shen and Salah were having a punishing duel out on China's left flank, and Shen scored a couple more times to keep China close before Mohamed Elnafrawy brought up set point Egypt at 24-22 and captain El Safy blocked Shen down the middle on the next point, 25-22 and 2-0.

China had early points in the third set from substitutes Cui Xiaodong and Cui Jianjun as head coach Zhou Jianan searched for a winning formula, but as a team they could not match the fluency or consistency of Egypt.

A soaring Tang winner down the centre was followed by a bullet serve from Yu Dawei as China nudged ahead 10-9, but they could not stay in front for long.

Egypt's setter and powerhouse server, Abdallah Abdel Salam, showed his soccer skills with a neat piece of control after the ball had struck the net cord for Egypt to win another point, and El Safy continued to push the Africans forward, 16-14 at the second TTO.

Just when the Egyptians looked to be in control, China fought back furiously, and Cui Xiaodong closed the gap to one at 20-19 and forced an Egypt TO. Another slicing winner from Shen on the left made it 20-20.

In a tense end to the third set, Egypt missed seven match points before China won it 32-30 on their first set point when a frustrated captain El Safy spiked long.

Not surprisingly, Egypt were still suffering at the start of the fourth set, whereas China had fresh heart and Shen was cutting loose.

Salah spiked wildly on the right, and when Youssef failed to control an easy serve from Cui Xiaodong, China had a four-point lead at the first TTO. Youssef paid the price for Egypt's lethargy and was replaced on the resumption of play.

Down 13-10, Egypt took off ace spiker Salah in an attempt to freshen up their attack, but had a four-point deficit, 16-12, at the second TTO.

China captain Sui kept his team out in front, despite some lusty blows from Mahmoud Elkoumy, and Egypt took a TO at 22-18 following a serve into the net by a recalled Salah and wide spike from Elnafrawy on the left. Sui brought up set point at 24-19, and the same player finished it 25-20 for 2-2.

China started the tie-break in confident mood, but Salah was back to his best and China called a TO down 5-4.

Leading 8-7 at the turnaround, China could not pull away, despite Shen's spikes and Yu's powerful serves.

A block on Salah and a spike at the net from Cui Xiaodong took China to 11-9 and forced another Egypt TO, and captain Sui made it 13-10...just two points from an amazing comeback victory. Cui brought up match point at 14-11, but they missed the next two points and called a TO with one chance remaining at 14-13. Once again the Egypt block saved the day, 14-14. China won it 18-16 after a bad set gave Salah no chance.
Volleyball did what Politics failed to do When USA shake hands with Iran

Nagano, Japan, November 20-: Volleyball is not only a sport attracting now the media and the viewer all over the world to follow up the most prestigious World level event which is the World Championship, but also it is a tool of peace when the teams from all over the World compete together in the same place under the Umbrella of this beloved sport. Since FIVB President Dr. Ruben Acosta took over the responsibility of the volleyball world governing body in 1984 he did his best to make all volleyball personnel Officials, players, coaches and spectators as one family reacting with the surrounding world. Last year volleyball was a great supporter to Tsunami-Hit countries through the FIVB’s Pledge of 3 million US dollars of aid which will help the building up of 18 in those countries suffering the big damage. Early this year volleyball was also the title of the celebrations of the International peace agreement in Darfur when Sudan Volleyball Federation organized a volleyball tournament named Peace Volleyball Tournament held at Hashim Diefallah Hall in Khartoum in the occasion of the international Peace agreement in Darfur in the west of Sudan.

2006 Men’s Volleyball World Championship was another scene where volleyball puts unseen peace agreement between USA and Iran when the volleyball teams from both countries meet in their competition Pool C Match on Wednesday. The two countries that live now under exciting nuclear negotiations problems will be one hand under volleyball umbrella competing in match that will see both teams shaking hand before and after its end according to the FIVB regulations.

“We came here to play volleyball which a sport encouraging good relations between all its family” Said Iran Head coach Milorad Kijac. “During this match we will think only of volleyball and welcome to play the USA team without any thinking of Politics. The Serbian coach added that the match will be an example of what the sport can do and we have to show the World that the sport field is better in human relations than anything else.

On the other hand the American head coach, Hugh McCutcheon declared that he hates the interference of the political problems to the sports field. “We are happy to meet all the nationalities on volleyball field because it is important that the youth of all countries feel that the sport can collect the entire World under one umbrella and under one flag. It’s the FIVB flag this time.” Said the New Zeeland born coach. “I hate to hear that the politics cancelled a match or led to withdrawal of any team from a competition because we are here in a peace field and no space for any politics to interfere” he added.
FIVB Men’s World Championship Day 4

Germany scores surprise win over France and African teams has Dramatic defeats

w:st="on">Egypt to 1-3. Poland extended their winning streak with a fourth consecutive straight-sets victory at Saitama Super Arena. The world No. 8 improved their win-loss record to a perfect 4-0 by holding off Puerto Rico 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 with another impressive all-round performance. Puerto Rico won their opening match here, 3-2 against Argentina, but have now lost three in a row and must win their last match against China to stand a chance of finishing in the top four and staying in the tournament.

Surprise Germany unbeaten in Pool B

Germany surpassed all expectations to beat Brazil's conquerors France 3-1 and preserve their perfect record in the tournament’s Pool B. The Germans fought back from one set down to earn a 22-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-22 victory and inflict on France their first defeat of the tournament. Cuba endured a torrid time from Greece to emerge 3-2 winners and collect their second Pool B triumph in Fukuoka. After a to-and-fro match that saw the Greeks produce some of their best volleyball so far, Cuba finally snatched a 25-19, 20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12 victory that gave them a 2-2 win-loss record and may be enough to propel them to the second round in Hiroshima. For the Greeks, so brave but with little to show for it, their 0-4 record kills off their chances and condemns them to an early flight home.

World and Olympic champions Brazil bounced back in style to overrun Australia 3-0. Their 25-19, 25-19, 25-23 victory took their record to 3-1, their only blemish being a shock 3-1 reversal to France on Sunday that sent the Brazilian camp into depression.


Italy beat USA to move into second place in Pool C

Italy survived an early barrage from the United States to book their place in the second round. The Americans came out all guns blazing to overwhelm the Italians in the first set, but the Azzurri gradually took control to claim a 22-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25- 18 victory. Bulgaria consolidated their place at the top of Pool C as they brushed past Iran in straight sets. The Europeans were given a useful workout by a feisty Iran side, but always looked in control as they ran out 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 winners. The victory leaves Bulgaria one win short of completing a perfect first-round programme, but means Iran's already slim chances of reaching the second phase are now hanging by a thread. The Czech Republic steamrolled past Venezuela 25-20, 25-14, 25-19 to improve their win-loss record to 2-2 and reignite hopes of reaching the second round. Whatever impact the result has on Pool C's final standings, the Czechs' victory eliminated winless Iran from the competition.

Canada and Russia vie for all-important second place in Pool D

Canada triumphed in a rollercoaster five-set match over Tunisia to advance to the second round. The No. 12 ranked Canucks won 25-15, 27-29, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13 in a Pool D game lasting almost two hours to improve to 3-1, while Tunisia dropped to 1-3. Serbia and Montenegro kept their 100-percent record intact with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over South Korea. The No. 4 ranked team earned a 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25- 18 win as the Koreans dropped to 1-3. Third-ranked Russia powered past Kazakhstan in straight sets to move to the second round. The Russians were quick to notch up a 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 victory in Pool D to improve to 3-1, ensuring Kazakhstan stayed winless in their second tournament appearance.



By Tarek Al-Adwar from Japan
 
Egypt and Tunisia lost against Poland and Serbia

Japan, November 18-: The third day of the 2006 Volleyball World Championship was not good for the African teams as the previous two days as both Egypt and Tunisia lost their third matches in straight sets. The exhausted Egyptian players after playing two five-set matches in two successive days against Japan and Puerto Rico didn’t show up the same in the third match against Poland and lost 3-0 except in the dead time of the match in Pool A at Saitama Super Arena. Tunisia also lost the same way against Serbia and Montenegro in Pool D at Sendai.

The exhausted Egyptians gave Poland the qualification ticket

Saitama, Japan, November 19, 2006: Poland romped to a third straight win in Pool A at Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, crushing Egypt in straight sets.
The Poles came home 25-13, 25-19, 26-24 with another high-speed display of power spiking and blocking, and will be confident of heading to Sendai for the second round with a perfect 5-0 record if they maintain this blistering form. Egypt dropped to 1-2.
Poland started the match the way they left off against Argentina on Saturday, and rushed to the first set 25-13 in 20 minutes.
Michal Winiarski and Mariusz Wlazly both scored five points, and middle blockers Daniel Plinski and Lukasz Kadziewicz had three, as did the inspirational Sebastian Swiderski.
The Poles had six block points in the first set as they cut off the fiery Egyptian attack, whose left-handed ace, Ahmed Abd Elnaeim, was restricted to just two points.
To highlight the Poles' superiority, no Egyptian player scored more than two points in a one-sided first set.
The Egyptians stayed close for much of the second set, despite the clear gulf in class between the two teams.
Winiarski was in his usual aggressive form, and an attempted block by Saleh Youssef that fell wide produced a wry smile from the Egyptian.
Another example of Poland's great control, technique and rapid-fire attack was when Egyptian ace Ahmed Salah Elnaeim served a left-handed firecracker. Winiarski's almost nonchalant reception was perfect for setter Pawel Zagumny to tee up Plinski for a crashing winner at the net; the counter-attack had been as quick as Salah's blistering serve.
Poland's Argentine coach, Raul Lozano, used the second set to give some of his bench players a chance, with both Lukasz Zygadlo and Grzegorz Szymanski coming on and maintaining the blue waves of attacks.
Trailing 23-18, Egypt called a TO to delay the inevitable, and returned looking relaxed and full of smiles as they realized they had nothing to lose and should try and appreciate the volleyball lesson they were receiving.
Egypt's captain, Hamdy Awad, scored on the left to stem the flow of points, before Swiderski brought up set point with a crashing winner from the back court, 24-19.
The Poles did not hang around, and a bullet serve from Kadziewicz which whistled past Awad closed the second set 25-19 for 2-0.
Poland went off the boil in the third set as Egypt relaxed and started going for their shots. This enabled Egypt to sneak in front on occasions, and brought chants of "Polska" from the red-and-white clad Polish fans around the arena.
Mohamed Gabal shook the Polish defense with a fierce spike on the right, and then tipped one over into space from the other wing to keep the Poles thinking.
Egypt needed a TO trailing 20-18 in the third set, and still made life uncomfortable down the stretch as Gabal took up the attack.
The Polish block was back to its best, though, and the European power finished the match 26-24, despite a late rally from the north Africans highlighted by some sizzling serves from southpaw Ahmed Salah.
 
Day two:
Europe’s teams move up on the second day
Japan, 18th November 2006 – Teams from Europe enjoyed a successful second day at the 2006 FIVB Men’s World Championships with seven of the nine teams representing the continent notching up victories. Only Greece and the Czech Republic suffered defeats – the former at the hands of defending champions Brazil, the latter losing out to Italy in straight sets. European teams occupy 8 of the 12 top three pool places at the close of the second day. Egypt cause a second Pool A upset Poland recorded their second successive straight-sets victory in Pool A by beating Argentina at Saitama Super Arena. Following their 3-0 defeat of China on the opening day, the eighth-ranked Poles downed the seventh-ranked Argentines 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 to improve their win-loss record to 2-0. Argentina slumped to 0-2. Egypt recovered from two sets down to beat Puerto Rico 3-2. The Egyptians formed a circle and danced in delight after coming back to beat Puerto Rico 27-29, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12 for their first win and a 1-1 record. Puerto Rico dropped to 1-1 after beating Argentina in five sets the previous day. Hosts Japan bounced back to force a tie-break in their crunch match with Asian rivals China. The strong home support alone was not enough to secure the win, however, with China running out 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 23-25, 15-13 winners. Defending champions have Europe on their heels in Pool B Brazil romped to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Greece in their second match in Fukuoka on Saturday. The title holders and Olympic champions encountered brief moments of resistance from the hard-working but injury-hampered Greeks in their 25- 19, 25-18, 25-16 victory. Greece fell to their second straight defeat following their 3-1 loss to France on the opening day. France had to defy a battling Australian team to win an exhausting four-setter and take their second straight Pool B victory. The French were forced to extract the best of their skills, stamina and mental toughness to overcome the feisty Aussies and eventually win 25-23, 30-28, 24-26, 26-24. Germany won their second straight match with a stunning 3-0 victory over favoured Cuba. Probably already exceeding their expectations, the fired-up Germans followed up their difficult 3-1 win over Australia on Friday with a more confident performance in a 25-14, 25-23, 25-20 triumph against a Cuban team who were lacking cohesion and, at times, the will to fight.
Venezuela stay ahead after victory over Iran in Pool C Venezuela's winning start to the competition continued as they brushed off an Iran fightback in the Nagano White Ring. The South Americans, who had clipped the USA's wings on the opening day, took the first set before Iran brought themselves level at 1-1. But Venezuela persevered to close out the match 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20, and maintain their perfect start to the tournament. Italy got their World Championship campaign back on the rails with a straight sets defeat of the Czech Republic. The Azzurri proved their confidence had not been shattered by an opening night tie-break loss to Bulgaria, as they dismantled the Czechs 25-22, 25-19, 25-23. Bulgaria underlined their credentials with a relentless straight sets hammering of the USA. The eastern Europeans drew first blood after an epic first set, and could not be held back as they surged towards a 30-28, 25-22, 25-21 victory. The win maintains Bulgaria's perfect start to Pool C, but leaves the Americans looking for their first win after their opening day loss to Venezuela.
Canucks stay perfect in Pool D A fine attacking display from Frederic Winters was the key to Canada’s 3-1 victory over South Korea. The Canucks recovered from a set down to secure their second win 26-28, 25-23, 25-16, 25-23 and consign the Koreans to another defeat in Pool D. Third-ranked Russia bounced back from an opening day loss to Serbia and Montenegro with a 3-0 win over Tunisia. The Russians looked more like a team that has won the world championships six times as they beat the 17th-ranked Tunisians 25-15, 29-27, 25-20. Serbia-Montenegro beat Kazakhstan 25-16, 22-25, 25-18, 25-22 for their second successive victory in Pool D. The 33rd-ranked Kazakhs put up a struggle against their mighty opponents in a match where neither team could find a consistent rhythm, but it was Serbia-Montenegro’s attacking quality that edged it in the end.
Day two:
Another Glorious day for Africa
The second day of the 2006 Men’s Volleyball World Championship was bright like the first as the reigning African champions drowned the dark horses of the opening Puerto Rico in a thriller five sets match made the spectators in Saitama on their toes for two hours. The overloaded Tunisian team of their big victory in five sets over Korea was smashed by Russia in straight sets in Sendai.
A Glorious victory for Egypt over Puerto Rico in tie-breaker
Saitama, Japan, November 18, 2006: Egypt recovered from two sets down to beat Puerto Rico 3-2 in Pool A on Saturday.
The Egyptians formed a circle and danced in delight after coming back to beat Puerto Rico 27-29, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-12 for their first win and a 1-1 record. Puerto Rico dropped to 1-1 after beating Argentina in five sets the previous day.
Egypt held a two-point advantage at the second TTO of the first set, but Puerto Rico pulled level 20-20 thanks to some fiery left-handed spikes from Jose Rivera and a Hector Soto block on Saleh Youssef.
Puerto Rico held the edge in the closing stages, but missed chances to seal the first set when leading 24-23 and 25-24, the latter thanks to an excellent block on Soto by Youssef.
Then it was Egypt's turn to miss two set points at 26-25 and 27-26, before Soto brought up Puerto Rico's third set point at 28-27 with an opportunistic spike at the net following a poor serve reception. On this occasion Puerto Rico made no mistake, as captain Luis Rodriguez rejected Mohamed Elnafrawy's attack at the net, 29-27.
Soto, who came into the match with 38 points from Friday's defeat of Argentina, led his team again with nine in the first set, followed by lefty Rivera on six.
Egypt's own southpaw spiker, Ahmed Abd Elnaeim, replied with six, closely followed by Youssef and Elnafrawy with five apiece.
The unlucky Egyptians looked a bit disheartened on the resumption, and pumped-up Puerto Rico cashed in by building an early lead. When Victor Rivera blazed another winner from the left past a two-man Egyptian block, the Central Americans led 16-9 at the second TTO and were well on course to take the second set.
Trailing 20-11, Egypt clawed their way back. Mohamed Gabal tipped one over the net, Youssef struck on the left wing and Mahmoud Elkoumy blocked to keep the pressure on Puerto Rico.
Ashraf Abouel Hassan then caught out the Puerto Rico defence with a well-disguised, well-flighted service ace to the front court. The Puerto Ricans were too far ahead, though, and Rene Esteves closed out the second set 25-19 for 2-0.
The teams stayed close in the third set, and Egypt's luck may have changed when a serve from lefty Elnaeim struck the net cord and bobbled over to give his team a two-point advantage, 16-14, at the second TTO.
Puerto Rico were struggling to hold their attacking rhythm, and a mistake from Jose Rivera gave Egypt a three-point cushion at 21-18. When Elnaeim made it 22-19 with a blistering, angled spike from the right, Puerto Rico called a TO.
Despite the efforts of Soto, Egypt had the momentum and won the third set 25-21. Elnaeim brought up set point with a trademark winner down the middle, and a strong serve from Youssef did the rest.
Egypt came out for the fourth set with renewed vigour and confidence, whereas Puerto Rico had gone quiet and were still in a state of malaise and failing to end the match in three.
The Egyptians blocked and attacked with all their might, and Elnaeim took them into the first technical break with a four-point lead thanks to a crashing winner from the right at the top of his leap that drew gasps and applause from the neutral fans.
Youssef was also playing a major part in the revival, and Elnaeim thundered another right-wing winner for 16-14 at the second TTO. An agile set by Hassan teed up Ossama Bekheit for a clean winner at the net, and Egypt powered on to take the fourth set 25-20 for 2-2 when Puerto Rico's serving collapsed. Soto had been removed from the attack with his team down 21-17, such was the changing complexion of the match.
Soto was back for the tie-break, though, following his rest. Indeed, the whole team looked refreshed and jumped out to a 3-0 lead, forcing an Egypt TO.
Behind some whistling serves from Elnaeim and a fine block by Hassan on Victor Rivera, Egypt led 8-5 at the turnaround. Elnafrawy at the net and captain Hamdy Awad on the left extended Egypt's lead to 11-7, forcing a Puerto Rico TO, and Bekheit rose at the net to hammer home a loose ball on the restart, 12-7.
Soto and sub Alexis Matias won the next four points between them to close the gap to 12-11, but Egypt skipper Awad ended the skid with a huge blow on the left for 13-11. On match point at 14-12, a slow serve from Awad caused confusion and ended the match, 15-12 and 3-2 Egypt.


Tunisia lost to Russia in straight sets
November 18, 2006, Sendai, Japan — Third-ranked Russia bounced back from an opening day loss to Serbia-Montenegro with a 3-0 win over Tunisia on Saturday.
The Russians looked more like a team that has won the world championships six times as they beat the 17th-ranked Tunisians 25-15, 29-27, 25-20 in Pool D.
With the 3-0 reverse to Serbia-Montenegro still fresh in their minds, the
Russians didn’t mess about in securing an early advantage against the spirited Tunisians, who beat South Korea in five sets on Friday.
Captain Semen Poltavsky was in a more commanding mood than the previous day, with his early serves carrying a little more sting. It was behind Poltavsky’s howitzers that Russia went into the first TTO 8-2 ahead.
Pavel Abramov on the wing and Alexander Volkov in the center then started to find their range with some crashing spikes and extended Russia’s lead to 16-8 at the second technical break.
The 205-cm Poltavsky really had the bit between his teeth and his range of spikes, arching them from deep and then snapping them at a 45-degree angle close to the net, moved Russia closer to clinching the first set.
Noureddine Hfaiedh spiked long to give Russia set point and after saving one the Tunisians succumbed to huge winner from Poltavsky to close out the set 25-15.
Vocal libero Amine Besrour was valiantly trying to rouse the Tunisian troops at the start of the second set and they responded in kind. A brilliant block by captain Ghazi Guidara put them 7-6 ahead and they won the next point to go into the first TTO two-points ahead.
Although Russia clawed back to get to the second TTO 16-14 in front, it was a much closer set than the first and the Tunisians proved so by pushing their opponents to 27-27.
Then, after numerous set points had gone to waste — including one for the Tunisians — that man Poltavsky popped up again with a block and deep spike to win the second bracket.
A stylish Serguei Grankine service ace put the reds of Russia 14-10 ahead in the third set and they kept a four-point advantage up to the second TTO.
But the Tunisians refused to lie down and a Chaker Ghezal winner followed by Aymen Ben Brik’s block moved the score to 21-20.
But the Russians held on and two successive spikes ruled long from Hichem Kaabi gave the Russians the set, 25-20, and the match.

By Tarek Aladwar from Japan
Puerto Rico, Tunisia and Serbia made opening surprises
Tokyo, 17th November 2006 – After a 32-year absence from the FIVB World Championships, the men’s volleyball team from Puerto Rico returned to the tournament in style today by upsetting world number seven Argentina in their opening match. Defending champions Brazil recovered from a stuttering start to overcome Cuba and Venezuela added a second South American triumph when they shocked the fifth-ranked USA.

Puerto Rico shine in Pool A debut
Puerto Rico produced a major shock by beating Argentina for the first time in an official FIVB match 3-2. Ranked 23rd in the world and playing in only their second World Championships after a 32-year absence, Puerto Rico beat seventh-ranked Argentina 19-25, 34-32, 28-26, 21-25, 15-13 in a closely fought match. World No. 8 Poland kicked off their Pool A challenge with a comfortable 3-0 victory over China and took the lead after the first day as the only team in the pool not to concede a set. The Poles had too much pace, power and experience for the 14th-ranked Chinese and won in straight sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-21 to make a perfect start to their campaign. Hosts Japan made hard work of their opener against Egypt in front of the home crowd at Saitama Super Arena, clinching an important win in the tie-break set. After a solid start by Japan, Egypt rallied to make up a two set deficit before Japan salvaged the match 25-13, 25-21, 24-26, 24-26, 15-12.

Defending champions start with win in Pool B
Favourites Brazil recovered from a first-set shock to defeat Cuba 3-1 in the opening Pool B match as the defending champions turned in a 21-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22 victory. France overcame some stubborn resistance from Greece to score a 3-1 win in their first match. The French dropped the third set before clinching a 25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-17 victory at Fukuoka’s Marine Messe stadium. France’s captain Stephane Antiga was pleased with the win, especially given the short amount of time the team had to prepare before the World Championship. “The first match is always very difficult,” he said. “We were very nervous and didn't have a lot of time to prepare, only two weeks. We are very happy with this victory because against Greece the past two times we lost so it's nice to get back at them and a nice start to the competition.”
Germany got their Pool B campaign off to a rousing start when they beat Australia
3-1 in Fukuoka. Both teams were looking at this match as their best chance for victory and it was the Germans who overcame a first-set scare to emerge hard-fought 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 30-28 winners. Germany hadn't qualified for the World Championship in more than a decade, while the Aussies are looking to advance from the first round for the first time in four attempts.

Bulgaria come out on top after European derby in Pool C
The Italians took the first set of a bruising heavyweight European encounter with Bulgaria, but the 2006 World League semi-finalists came storming back to win the next two as the momentum of the match shifted sides. The Azzurri regained their composure to force the match into a tiebreak set, but the eastern Europeans eventually held their nerve to triumph 20-25, 26-24, 25-16, 16-25, 15-8 in the Nagano White Ring.
Venezuela caused a second upset of the day as they downed the USA in Pool C. The Americans fought back after losing the first set, but could find no further reply as a powerful and well-organised Venezuela ran out 25-18, 20-25,
25-21, 25-18 winners. US coach Hugh McCutcheon was disappointed with the result, but stressed that there is still plenty of time to recover. “Hopefully we can regroup and play good volleyball tomorrow. I think this is indicative of the way international men's volleyball is now. There are many good teams, and we knew that this would be a difficult match,” he said.
The Czech Republic made a confident start to their World Championship campaign with a straight sets victory over Iran. The spirited Iranians pushed their European opponents hard in each set, but ultimately paid the price for a slow start as the Czechs ran out 25-23, 25-19, 25-22 winners.

Serbia and Montenegro crush giants Russia in Pool D
World No. 4 Serbia and Montenegro showcased a devastating display of attacking verve to beat world No. 3 Russia in straight sets. The architects of the 25-22, 25-18, 25-23 victory were Ivan Miljkovic and Goran Vujevic, as the Russians struggled to cope with the high-tempo Balkan attack.
Canada beat Kazakhstan 25-21, 26-24, 25-21 in a hard-fought Pool D opener in Sendai. The Canadians were pushed all the way by the Kazakhs and the three-set sweep belied a match that was extremely close.
Tunisia captain Ghazi Guidara came up with the goods at the end of a rollercoaster five-setter to beat South Korea in their opening game. The Tunisians won 25-22, 24-26, 17-25, 28-26, 15-13, with Guidara winning three quick-fire points at the end of the final set before setting up Hichem Kaabi for the match winner to end a pulsating Pool D encounter.


By Tarek Aladwar from Japan
Golden day for African Volleyball in the 2006 Volleyball World Championship
African volleyball showed a golden day at the opening of the 2006 Volleyball World Championship in Japan as both teams held their matches to tie break. Tunisia achieved a historic victory over Korea in Pool D in Sendai while Egypt lost narrowly to Japan in front of a full house in Pool A in Saitama
Guidara guides Tunisia to five-set victory
November 17, 2006, Sendai, Japan — Tunisia captain Ghazi Guidara came up with the goods at the end of a rollercoaster five-setter as South Korea were beaten in their opening game on Friday.
The Tunisians won 25-22, 24-26, 17-25, 28-26, 15-13, with Guidara winning three quick-fire points at the end of the final set before setting up Hichem Kaabi for the match winner to end a pulsating Pool D encounter.
Both teams pushed each other all the way in the first set, but it was the lower-ranked Tunisians who made the early running.
The Tunisians finally broke away after the score was tied 18-all. Noureddine Hfaiedh made the most telling contribution in the first set when he saw his spike blocked only for him to rattle the rebounded ball back down the throats of the South Koreans.
That made it 23-20 and Kaabi gave his team set point. One was saved but up stepped Samir Sellami for the big spike finish to close out the set 25-22.
The Koreans got more aggressive at the start of the second set and the 202-cm Bong Woo Yun started to look a more menacing proposition at the net.
The Tunisians were on the back foot but kept close tabs on their opponents with some solid defensive work, but a massive spike from Sung Min Moon put the Koreans 16-14 ahead at the second TTO.
Guidara wowed the fans with a stylish left-foot volley that kept the ball in play on one point and then his team slowly clawed themselves back into the set to make it 22-22.
But Korea kept their nerve and closed out the set 26-24 after Tunisia fouled on the second set point.
With showman Oh Hyun Yeo — cut-off sleeves and gold chain sprucing up his kit — geeing up his teammates after every point, the Koreans started where they left off in the third set.
Libero Yeo salvaged one point with a brilliant dive that resulted in Moon rising to crash home an unstoppable drive to make it 7-3 and the Koreans added another quick point to reach the first TTO in good shape.
They increased their lead courtesy of some more good attacking play from Yun and the second TTO saw them 16-9 ahead, and then a huge winner from captain In Jung Who put them further in front.
The booming serves of Hfaiedh were giving the Koreans trouble, but they were getting the rub of the green at the net and two close decisions by the referee gave the Asian team the set 25-17.
The Koreans quickly moved to a 13-8 lead in the fourth set, with a rugged block and then dink over from Moon accounting for two of Korea’s points, but Tunisia rallied and the second TTO came with Korea only two ahead.
It stayed close all the way to the end of the set, with both sides ending up at 23-23. Jin Sik Shin came up with the goods for Korea then, steaming in on the left to power in the point to put the Koreans at the cusp of the victory.
But Hosni Karamosley saved that match point with a brilliant winner of his own and then Hfaiedh saved another. Tunisia sensed they could nick the set, and that they did 28-26 with a big block at the net to force a fifth set.
Korea got their noses in front early on but the set quickly leveled up at 10-10 and then a solid block by Chaker Ghezal gave Tunisia the lead for the first time in the set.
And cometh the hour, cometh the captain. Tunisia’s Guidara suddenly came to life at 12-11 Korea and earned three brilliant points in succession. First, a fantastic spike, then a brilliant block before completing his box of tricks with a clever lob into space.
Korea salvaged one set point, but Guidara was there again to set up Kaabi, who thundered in the spike to give Tunisia a brilliant victory.
Japan end Egypt's bold come-back in tie-break
Saitama, Japan, November 17, 2006: Japan survived a furious rally by Egypt to begin their Pool A campaign with a 3-2 victory at Saitama Super Arena on Friday night.
The home team won the first two sets 25-13, 25-21 but lost the next two 26-24, 26-24, before regrouping to take the tie-break 15-12 in front of over 9,000 spectators.
Japan were determined not to suffer stage fright on opening night, like their women's team had done against Asian rivals Chinese Taipei in Tokyo on October 31.
The hosts romped to the first set 25-13 in 20 minutes, with net master Nobuharu Saito, southpaw spiker Takahiro Yamamoto and captain Masaji Ogino scoring four poins apiece.
The fearsome left-handed spiker Ahmed Abd Elnaeim led Egypt's reply with seven spikes, six more than any of his teammates.
In the second set, Japan maintained a fast pace. Ogino's persistence and power was a constant source of inspiration to his team, and Yamamoto was really in the mood with his flashing cross-court attacks.
Leading 19-16, Japan head coach Tatsuya Ueta replaced Kota Yamamura with crowd favourite Yu Koshikawa, who had been left out of the starting six. This produced one of the biggest cheers of the night inside the Super Arena -- and then one of the biggest sighs when Koshikawa served into the net.
Yusuke "Gottsu" Ishijima pulled off a lightning dig on the dangerous Elnaiem, and then wisely ducked under the rebound from the same player as it whistled over his head and out for Japan to lead 21-17.
Hossam Shaarawy kept the points ticking over for Egypt, on the block and in attack, but Ishijima was the dominant player in the closing stages of the second set, which Japan took 25-21.
Egypt's blocking was hot in the third set, and Japan needed an early TO down 4-1. Yamamura reduced the deficit with a wristy winner at the net, and setter Yuta Abe followed up with some agile play in attack, block and dig.
A stupendous drive from Ishijima brought Japan level 7-7 and sent Egypt for cover in a TO as their early third-set advantage had been wiped out by a pumped-up Japan team.
The blistering serves of Abdallah Ahmed helped take Egypt to the second technical break ahead by three at 16-13, as Mahmoud Elkoumy, Hamdy Awad and Shaarawy all scored in quick succession to remind Japan that they still had a match to win, despite leading 2-0.
The closing stages of the third set were full of furious exchanges as Egypt fought to stay alive, and an Abe block on Elkoumy had coach Ueta jumping in delight on the sidelines. Captain Awad came up with some crucial winners for Egypt down the stretch, but Japan missed one match point at 24-23 before Egypt won the third set 26-24 when Ogino spiked wide.
Shaarawy was beginning to dictate play at the net, and Japan replied through southpaw sub Ryuji Naohiro on the right and a full-blooded spike from Ishijima which crashed through the block and struck power server Ahmed on his right shoulder, knocking him down.
Egypt were certainly not down, though, and trailed by only one at the second TTO.
From 18-18, Egypt won four straight points to force a Japan TO. A gentle serve from Elkoumy was allowed to drop in for an easy point, and Egypt's blocking maintained the momentum.
Ishijima would not let go of the set, and some incredible defence and attack in the same rally, followed by a Naohiro spike from the right, took Japan to 23-22. Egypt, with Ahmed in confident form, hung on and even missed a set point at 24-23 before the left arm of Elnaeim produced a jackhammer spike down the middle to end it 26-24 for 2-2.
Japan held the edge in the tie-break, thanks largely to Saito, who punched another winner for Japan to turn round 8-6 ahead.
Two more Japan points, when an attempted block on Ishijima flew wide and when Elnaeim served into the net, made it 10-6, but Elkoumy sparked a fightback to 12-11 Japan and a home TO.
Yamamura brought up match point at 14-12, and a Saito block on Elnaeim ended it 15-12.
 
Egypt and Tunisia carry African dreams of a second round slot

The African dreams of picking a second round ticket become more realistic now when the two African representatives Egypt and Tunisia start their way in the 2006 Volleyball World Championship in Japan. Egypt will compete in Pool A playing in Saitama with the organizers Japan, Poland, China, Argentina and Puerto Rico, while Tunisia play in what is described by the coaches as the competition weakest pool as they are involved in Pool D scheduled in Sendai with Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro and Korea.

The history mentioned that no African team passed the first round in a World Senior Championships, although Egypt had its best recorded result in the junior championship when they were semifinalists in the 2001 Boys under 19 World Championship in their homelands.

The Egyptian volleyball lives golden moments since 2005 as they had a couple of victories in all standards starting from getting the golden medal in the Mediterranean Games in Spain being the first international non African competition to be won by an African team defeating the home team in the final, then their victory in the 2005 African Nations Championship which qualified them to the 2005 Grand Champions cup here in Japan as the first African team ever in the history of the competition, where they had the fifth position ahead of the Asian champions China. 2006 showed another progress for Egypt being selected by the World volleyball governing body, FIVB as the African legends. But at the senior level they didn’t pass the first round in their previous five time qualifications to the World Championships.

“We had now to think of big world level victory to continue our progress,” Said Egypt Men’s Under 21 team Coach who accompanied the team as a decision of the Egyptian volleyball federation following his victory in the African championship of this age category early this year. “We are happy to be in this prestigious competition, but we have now to think only for victories specially after the team stars like Ahmed Salah, Saleh Fathy and the team captain Hamdy El Safy returned back from long term injuries.” Added the coach, who led Egypt three times to the continental junior championships. Egypt had to win at least two matches in their pool to secure a second round vacancy.

On the other hand Tunisia is considered the African pioneers at the international level since they had eight continental Nations championships titles to their names out of fifteen competitions. They had also the most titles of any team sport in Tunisia. They have qualified to the World Cup six times but the last was the best in 2003 when they defeated the home team Japan in front of their full house.

The experience d Italian head coach of Tunisia Antonio Jiacobbe thought that it is time to pass the first round and not to consider the qualification as an achievement.

The Tunisian team was updated with some youngsters in the framework of the head coach objective to inject new blood to the team with the already excited experience players like the wing spiker Nour Eddine Hfaiedh and the setter and team captain Ghazi Guidara. The promising youngsters like Hicham Kaabi and Skander Ben Tara were added to the team experiences. The technical staff sees that they have to win Kazakhstan and Korea in their pool to pass to the second round.
Egypt Coach hopes to defeat Japan in the opening of the Volleyball World Championship
November 16, Saitama: Egypt coach Grzegorz Rys has singled out Japanese spiker Yu Koshikawa as the dangerman when the two teams meet in their opening match of the 2006 World Championships.22-year-old Koshikawa will be hoping to help get his side off to a flying start in front of a home crowd at the Saitama Super Arena, and Rys is aware of the threat he poses to his Egyptian side's chances.
"The number 17 is one of the best players in the Japan team," he said."Our target is to stop him, but we know that they are playing at home, and for them it will be a very strong match."But Rys knows he will have to keep his eye on Koshikawa's teammates too."We have seen a lot of Japan's matches," he said."We know that they are experienced and have a lot of good players."We know it will be difficult to play against them, and we have tried to solve those problems."But we have found some solutions, and hopefully we can win the match."
But Japan coach Tatsuya Ueta has warned Egypt not to forget about his captain, Masaji Ogino.
The 36-year-old Ogino has made a remarkable comeback to the national team after quitting because of injury, and his coach paid tribute to his impact on the team."The captain has led our points average," Ueta said.
"From a technical point of view he is a very important person for our team."
 
Egypt Men head to Japan with a second round qualification dreams

Thailand, November 13-: Egypt Men’s Volleyball team will arrive to Japan on Wednesday to participate in the 2006 World Championship after they ended their last preparation programme through one week camp which included three matches against Thailand National team and other local clubs.

With an objective to qualify to the second round the Polish head coach of Egypt Grzegrez Rys is optimistic to do it for the first time ever in African history using the great push from the participation in the 2006 World league and gaining the fifth position in the 2005 Grand Champions Cup as well as gaining the last years’ African Nations Championship from their Arch Rivals Tunisia which will be the second African representative in this prestigious FIVB event.

“We want to win our first match in the competition although it will be against the organizers in front of their excited spectators and this will open the door after to qualify,” Said Rys. “I’m Happy to have my key stars in top form for the first time since I started the job with the team after we missed the skeleton of the team in the World league due to injury. I’m sad only to lose the strong wing spiker Mohamed Abdelmonem who was one of the stars in the World League.” He added.

The final list of 12 players includes: Abdalla Ahmed Abdel Salam, Ashraf Aboulhassan (Setters), Hamdy Awad El Safy, Saleh Yousef Fathy, Mohamed Abdel Kader, Mahmoud El Komy (Attackers), Usama Bakheit, Mohamed El Nafrawy, Hossam Shaarawy (Middle Blockers), Ahmed Salah, Mohamed Gabl (Opposites) and Wael El Aidy (Libero).

Egypt will play in Pool A in the World Championship along with the organizers Japan, Argentina, China, Poland and Puerto Rico.
 
 
 
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