The volleyball (real volleyball) venue for the London Olympics is Earl's Court (pictured). Coming into this year's games, 24 teams have qualified, twelve men and twelve women's teams will begin play in that building late next month.
Here are those who qualified:
MEN
Group A
Great Britain (GBR)
Italy (ITA)
Poland (POL)
Argentina (ARG)
Bulgaria (BUL)
Australia (AUS)
Group B
Brazil (BRA)
Russia (RUS)
United States (USA)
Serbia (SRB)
Germany (GER)
Tunisia (TUN)
WOMEN
Group A
Great Britain (GBR)
Japan (JPN)
Italy (ITA)
Russia (RUS)
Dominican Republic (DOM)
Algeria (ALG)
Group B
United States (USA)
Brazil (BRA)
China (CHN)
Serbia (SRB)
Turkey (TUR)
South Korea (KOR)
On the men's side, the United States is the defending champion, defeating Brazil in the final at Beijing 2008. It was the third time the United States has won gold in men's volleyball, since their win over Brazil in the final at Los Angeles 1984. The USA men also won at Seoul 1988, defeating the Soviet Union in the final. Their third win ties the Soviet Union for most wins in the Olympics in men's volleyball.
On the women's side, Brazil is the defending champion, defeating the United States in the final at Beijing 2008. It was Brazil's first Olympic women's volleyball win. Overall, the Soviet Union has the most wins, with four. The Soviet women defeated Japan in the final at both Mexico City 1968 and Munich 1972. They would later win gold at Moscow 1980, defeating East Germany in the final, and at Seoul 1988, defeating Peru in the final for their last win ever.
Up next, a look at wrestling!
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