There are 100 days left to the start of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014. How do you find the present state of preparations for the Polish tournament?
Exciting! Things are well on track and the preparations for the FIVB’s signature event are on a good course. All eyes are on the opening match and to have that already sold out just shows how well things are being prepared for the tournament.
Holding the Opening Ceremony and match on a football stadium is something completely new. Can this idea become a trademark of the championship in Poland?
I definitely think this will be the legacy of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014. The last time the FIVB held a World Championship match outside was during the second edition of the Men’s World Championship in 1952 in Russia so it goes to show how unique this event is. With a 60,000 spectator capacity it will go down in history as one of the most memorable World Championship events ever.
Tickets for the match at the National Stadium have been sold out within 100 minutes – some of the ticket categories have disappeared in four. Do you think that this would suggest that future big FIVB events should be held in venues not usual for volleyball?
This is definitely a trend we would like to see more of as it is a good way to introduce volleyball to people who are not traditionally volleyball fans. People who are not accustomed to volleyball will be interested in the spectacle itself - a volleyball match in a football stadium. Since becoming FIVB President I have always been advocating change and innovation and this opening match of the World Championships is a perfect example of that.
Will this championship feature new solutions, technical or otherwise, that will aid in further development of the game?
Yes. We have many new initiatives planned for these World Championships to herald a new era for the FIVB’s premier event. A new volleyball tracking system where data such as serve speed, jump height and the speed of the spike will all be presented for the consumption of the media, fans etc to take the user experience to another level. The Challenge System will also be used for the first time at a World Championships while of course, we have a new trophy, which is ground breaking in so many ways. Social media will also play a big part for us where we are looking to increase the level of engagement with our fans.
The FIVB and the Polish Volleyball Federation have, as organizers of the World Championship, set an ambitious goal – to make the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014 a groundbreaking event in the history of the game. What would this breakthrough be?
You will see a level of entertainment and engagement never seen before. We would like to take volleyball into a new era building up towards the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and the World Championships this year will be our launch pad. The World Championships a fan will experience this year will be like no other - unique and unforgettable.
The interest in the World Championship in Poland is huge. Do you expect a significant increase in popularity of volleyball during and after the championship?
Absolutely. The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships Poland 2014 is an opportunity not be lost for the FIVB and Poland. Here we have a devoted fan base with the most important event in world volleyball taking place on the soil of one of the most passionate volleyball countries. The combination is both exciting and crucial.
Is the tournament formula optimal?
The tournament formula has been the subject of plenty of debate during recent years however this time I believe we are very close to the optimal version. A logical transition through the pool play followed by the finals builds up the emotion and the excitement.
Your favourites for the championship are...
very difficult to say. While Brazil are ranked number one, Russia are of course looking strongest at the moment considering their performance during last year’s World League and the 2012 Olympic Games. If Russia win, it will be the first time they have claimed the World Championship title since 1982 when they were USSR while Brazil is looking to win a record fourth in a row. Of course, you also can’t write off the home team. Poland’s performance during the 2011 World League showed what they can do home soil. The key part will be this year’s World League, which features 28 teams for the first time in its history. Teams will be having one eye on the World Championships during the World League so it will be a good indicator of who is likely to contend for medals. History tells us that this is traditionally the way. The World League winner has gone on to win the World Champs four times – Italy (1990, 1994) and Brazil (2006, 2010). Only Cuba’s World League victory in 1998 was trumped by Italy at the World Champs and Russia’s World League win over Brazil in 2002 was reversed during the World Champs in Argentina.
What, in connection with the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014, would you wish yourself?
A successful tournament where we have record breaking attendance levels, outstanding volleyball which brings entertainment to all that watch and a wonderful lifetime experience which will live long in the memory of all those involved. It’s going to be exciting and ground breaking in so many ways. I can’t wait.
