Lausanne, Switzerland, June 7, 2016 – Hosts and defending Olympic champions Brazil will begin their Rio 2016 campaign against Olympic newcomers Cameroon while world champions USA clash with NORCECA rivals and debutants Puerto Rico as the full schedule for the women’s tournament is unveiled.
An all-Asian affair will open the event as Japan meet Korea, the same team they defeated to claim bronze at London 2012.
FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup winners China will then take on the Netherlands followed by the Brazil v Cameroon and USA v Puerto Rico matches.
Rounding out the opening day will be Russia against Argentina – who will also be making their Olympic bow – and Serbia against Italy in an all-European showdown.
Some key match-ups across the first round include a re-match of the 2014 World Championship final between USA and China on August 14, a repeat of the World Championship semifinal as Italy clash with China on August 8 and Brazil taking on Japan in a re-run of their London 2012 semifinal on August 10.
The 12 teams have been split into two pools of six, with the top four qualifying for the quarterfinals.
All matches will take place at the iconic Maracanãzinho, with three sessions a day. Each session will include two matches, with the first session running from 09:30 to 13:20, the second session from 15:00 to 18:50 and the third session from 20:30 to 00:20, all local time.
Five of the six teams will arrive in Rio with some knowledge of at least one of their opponents, with many set to clash during the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.
USA will meet China twice – on June 12 and 26 – as well as the Netherlands on June 25. China will also clash with Serbia on June 18 and the Netherlands on June 24, while the Serbians will themselves meet European rivals Italy on June 18.
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games women’s volleyball tournament will take place from August 6 to 20.