The FIVB put together a preview for the 2017 World Grand Champions Cup which is slated for mid-September and looks to be one of the most intense volleyball tournaments scheduled for this year.
The top teams from the four highest ranked continents at the 2016 Olympic Games along with one wild card team were selected to compete at the tournament along with the hosts, Japan. Coming off a win in Rio, the Brazilian men and Chinese women will be looking to back up their performances come September.
Below are a list of nations competing in the tournament:
| MEN | WOMEN | |
| HOST | Japan | Japan |
| AVC | Iran | China |
| CEV | France | Russia |
| CSV | Brazil | Brazil |
| NORCECA | USA | USA |
| WILD CARD | Italy | Korea |
Out of the seven times that this tournament has been contested, the Brazilian men have won it a total of four times (1997, 2005, 2009, and 2013). Thus far, they’ve established a trend since 2004 of always winning the tournament after an Olympic year.
On the men’s side, they look tough to beat. The Italians and Americans are likely to be their closest competitors in the tournament. Iran was the only other nation that’s competing at the World Grand Champions Cup that made it into the knockout stage at the Olympic Games. They lost 3-0 to Italy in the quarterfinals.
As for the women, the Chinese are very well established like the Brazilian me. The Americans are their closest competitors. Japan, Russia, Korea, and Brazil all made it into the knockout stage in Rio, making it a little more competitive than the men’s tournament. the United States finished third overall. Japan, Russia, Korea, and Brazil failed to make it past the quarterfinals.
The women’s tournament will be taking place September 5-10 while the men’s will take place SEeptember 12-17.
Regarding to the 2017 World Grand Champions Cup, how can I buy those tickets of the above events?
Hi Taris – the tickets should be on sale through the Japan Volleyball Association website here: https://www.jva.or.jp/en/. I don’t see them up yet.