If there is a favourite among the other seven teams, then that probably is Argentina, the number six team in the world and bronze medallists of the most recent Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Luciano De Cecco and company will draw on some additional confidence that came with their 2023 South American Championship title, which they claimed for the first time since 1964. So far Argentina has played at the Olympics eight times, claiming two bronze medals, at Seoul 1988 and at Tokyo 2020.
The Netherlands are also a member of the top 10 in the World Ranking. In one of the world’s best scorers and best servers Nimir Abdel-Aziz, they have a dangerous weapon, which could help them overcome any opponent. Reminiscent of a glorious past, when they claimed a Barcelona 1992 silver and an Atlanta 1996 gold, the Dutch will try to qualify for the Olympics for the seventh time, but first since 2004.
The remaining five teams will also have their say in the battles for Olympic berths in Xi’an. The world’s number 13 Canada will try to qualify for their third consecutive and sixth overall Olympic Games. Number 21 Mexico are aiming at their third participation, while number 22 Belgium hope to make it to the Games for the first time since their debut way back in 1968.
Traditional volleyball powers like China and Bulgaria, currently untypically low in the World Ranking, 29th and 30th, respectively, certainly owe it to their fans to start making their way back up the ladder. China will rely on extra inspiration from the home crowd in Xi’an to boost their chances for a third Olympic appearance. Moscow 1980 Olympic silver medallists Bulgaria have added some talented youngsters to their roster, hoping to change the team’s direction from recent competitions towards earning the right to play at the Olympics for the ninth time.
