The 2014 FIVB World Grand Prix is set to begin in the Peruvian capital Lima on late Friday by hosting group 2 showdown between the squad of Peru against Canada.
The FIVB's premier annual women's volleyball tournament will see more action than ever before as it has increasied to a record number of 28 participating teams.
The 28 teams were split into three groups based on world ranking (with the exceptions of Belgium and Cuba, who had qualified via continental qualification tournaments).
A Drawing of Lots was conducted on December 2, allocating teams into the respective pools (by group) based on a predetermined formula.
Group 1 (Pools A to I) features 12 teams including defending champions, London 2012 Olympic winners and world No. 1 Brazil, USA, Japan, China, Russia, Italy, Serbia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Korea, Turkey and Thailand.
Meanwhile, group 2 (Pools J to O includes eight teams - Poland, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, Argentina, Canada, Cuba and Belgium.
In turn, group 3 (Pools P to S) also includes eight teams - Kenya, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Bulgaria and Australia, fivb.org reported.
The World Grand Prix featured eight teams in its debut season of 1993 and from 1995 to 2002, while 12 teams were in action in 1994 and from 2003 to 2010. Sixteen teams were involved in the 2011 and 2012 editions before expanding to 20 in 2013, and 28 in 2014.
Key dates see the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2014 start on July 25 with Groups Two and Three in Preliminary Round action. Group One will begin one week later, August 1.
The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2014 FInals will take place on August 15 to 17 for Groups Two and Three and August 20 to 24 for Group One.
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Published: 7/25/2014