The countdown to the 2010 FIVB Men’s World Championship continues as all 24 teams have confirmed their squads for the tournament, set to take place in Italy from September 25-October 10.

 

 

Each side is allowed to take 20 players to the competition, and with an intensive schedule coaches have spent the last few months assembling what they feel will be their strongest sides. A number of teams who were involved in the 2010 FIVB World League earlier on this year have tweaked their sides slightly, bringing in more experienced players who were rested to prevent injury.

Serbia captain Nikola Grbic returns to the side after missing the World League. The setter will look to add to his sides potent attack as they search for their first World Championship medal since 1998 where they picked up silver. Ivan Miljkovic also returns to the team for the first time this year.

Brazil will be looking to defend the title they picked up in Japan in 2006, and already defended their World League title in July. However libero Sergio has missed the cut due to injury and it is likely that Mario will help fill the gap he has left, as he did in the World League where he picked up the best libero award.

Russian libero Aleksey Verbov has been drafted back into the national side after missing the World League. He will join rival Alexander Yanutov in Italy to vie for the position. Finally, Frenchman Stéphane Antiga returns to his side. He was rested for the World League but is now ready to face the world’s best as the 2010 FIVB Men’s World Championship edges closer.

from FIVB