Matt Anderson spikes the ball against (L-R) Murilo Endres and Bruno Rezende of Brazil during the FIVB World League Group 1 Finals at Maracanazinho Gymnasium on July 16, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro.
Five For Friday: Pan American Games
Five For Friday: Paralympic Swimming
One year before the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games take place in Rio de Janeiro, the U.S. Men’s National Team is in the Brazilian city seeking a second consecutive World League championship.
The United States, which is ranked No. 5 in the world, will face France on Friday night at Maracanazinho Gymnasium, the site of the United States’ first World League title in 2008 and also the venue for the 2016 Olympic Games. This week’s World League final is the volleyball test event for Rio 2016.
“For the U.S., it’s the main competition,” U.S. middle blocker and two-time Olympian David Lee said of the upcoming 2016 Games. “It’s the pinnacle of our sport.”
Lee is one of five Olympians on the U.S. team, which won nine of its 12 World League matches entering the final round.
The semifinals are Saturday, followed by the medal round Sunday. The top two teams in each of the two three-team pools after pool play ends Friday will advance to the semifinals.
In addition to the United States and France, the other teams in the six-nation final are host Brazil, Italy, Serbia and Poland.
The United States advanced to the World League final by winning Pool B in group play with a 9-3 record.
TV: Championship match, 4 p.m. ET July 25, Universal Sports
Paul D. Bowker is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.