OLYMPIC QUALIFIER. Players from France celebrate their victory over Iran in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on June 21, 2024. France will lead Pool A in the first round of the Paris Olympics 2024 men’s volleyball tournament scheduled from July 27 to Aug. 10 at the South Paris Arena. (Photo courtesy of VNL)
MANILA – Defending champion France will lead Pool A in the first round of the Olympics men’s volleyball tournament scheduled from July 27 to Aug. 10 at the South Paris Arena.
Also in Pool A are Slovenia, Canada and Serbia. FIVB World Ranking leader Poland, Italy, Brazil and Egypt are in Pool B, while world's No. 2 Japan, USA, Argentina and Germany are in Pool C.
The pool winners, runners-up and the two best ranked third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinal round, leading to the semifinals and finals.
Meanwhile, newly-crowned VNL champion Italy and the Dominican Republic will meet in the first match of the women’s competition, in Pool C on July 28.
The second day will feature Türkiye against the Netherlands (Pool C) and Brazil against Kenya (Pool B).
Other matches will pit defending champion USA against China (Pool A), and host France against world champion Serbia (Pool A). (PNA)
