The FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) are ready to get underway from September 30 to October 8. 24 teams are vying for 6 available OQT berths and the chance to represent their country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next summer.
The three qualifying tournaments are taking place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Tokyo (Japan), and Xi’an (People’s Republic of China). To qualify, teams have been divided into three pools of eight for a round-robin tournament. Teams play every other team within their pool once, with the top two finishers in each group earning a spot for Paris 2024.
Currently ranked 13th in the world, Canada is in Pool C and set to compete in Xi’an alongside with the host China (World No. 29), Poland (World No. 1), Argentina (World No. 6), Netherlands (World No. 10), Mexico (World No. 21), Belgium (World No. 22), and Bulgaria (World No. 30).
Momentum Volleyball caught up with Senior Men’s National team head coach Tuomas Sammelvuo on what to expect for their upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament:
“After VNL, we know we must do the simple things well and have consistency in our game for success. If you look at the best teams in the world, they don’t miss the simple plays. Side-out consistency, being in the right spots on defense, second touches and setting balls in transition. They execute them extremely well and that’s why the game can look so easy sometimes.
“We are excited to get to the tournament but we try not to think too far ahead. Every time we practice is the most important moment. Nine days, seven games – every ball will count. So the focus and pressure that we will face in the qualifiers, we make that happen every day in our training and preparation. Consistency is how we develop and approach our game.”
Leading up to their qualifier in Xi’an, Canada just recently wrapped up a one-week training camp in Tokyo with Japan’s National team. The two national teams practiced, scrimmaged, and capped off the week with an exhibition match played in front of a sold out crowd at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
After consecutive appearances in the last two Summer Olympic Games, Canada’s bid for another Olympic berth starts this Saturday, September 30 with their opening match against the Netherlands.
Canada’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament Match Schedule is as follows:
Sep 30 @ 1:00am – Canada vs Netherlands
Sep 30 @ 10:00pm – Canada vs Argentina
Oct 3 @ 4:00am – Canada vs Poland
Oct 4 @ 7:30am – Canada vs China
Oct 5 @ 10:00pm – Canada vs Bulgaria
Oct 6 @ 10:00pm – Canada vs Belgium
Oct 8 @ 4:00am – Canada vs Mexico
** All matches shown in Eastern date and time **
Additional Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification notes:
Pool A matches are in Rio de Janiero featuring the host Brazil with Italy, Iran, Cuba, Ukraine, Germany, Czechia, and Qatar. Pool B matches are in Tokyo featuring the host Japan with the United States, Slovenia, Serbia, Türkiye, Tunisia, Egypt, and Finland.
After the OQT, the remaining Paris 2024 Olympic berths will be allocated via FIVB World Rankings at the end of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase, while abiding by the universality principle (first prioritizing the continental zone(s) without a qualified team).
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