Volleyball has existed since 1895 when William G. Morgan created the game in a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Curiously, this was solely ten miles from the place basketball was based, however the revolutionary new indoor sport shortly caught on.
These days, volleyball is a well-liked pastime around the globe. You’ll discover courts in virtually each leisure middle, options on many sports activities TV networks, and even devoted sports activities betting information websites for volleyball followers. The game has develop into a worldwide phenomenon, which implies the US is now not the one world volleyball superpower. Many international locations now have prolific groups with among the finest athletes on the earth. Allow us to check out a few of these prime nations.
1. Poland
On the time of writing, Poland holds the primary spot within the worldwide volleyball rankings, and deservedly so. That they had a stellar 2023, dropping simply two of their 31 matches performed through the 12 months. These losses got here towards the USA and Serbia, each powerhouses in their very own rights, however they discovered a number of victories over groups like Italy, Brazil, and Japan. They’ve additionally reached the ultimate of the World Championships in 4 of the final 5 editions, successful it twice.
2. United States
The creators and authentic powerhouses of volleyball, the US has by no means strayed removed from excellence. The lads’s US volleyball staff has 5 Olympic medals to its identify, three of that are gold. They’ve additionally gained three FIVB World Cups, together with current triumphs in 2015 and 2023, and are at all times a staff to be feared.
3. Italy
One other big of the game, volleyball fever swept by Italy through the twentieth century. This helped the nation solidify its place as a titan of volleyball through the Nineteen Eighties, and it has saved this repute ever since. They’re one of the vital traditionally profitable groups on the earth, having gained 4 World Championships, seven European Championships, and one World Cup.
4. Japan
Japan is at present having fun with a affluent interval, nevertheless it has not at all times been that approach. Traditionally probably the greatest groups in Asia, the Japan males’s volleyball staff has solely certified for 3 out of the final eight Olympic Video games. However sturdy current outcomes, together with an enormous 3-2 victory over Italy to say bronze within the 2023 Nations League, have helped them cement their place among the many sport’s elite.
5. Brazil
Volleyball is an immensely in style sport in Brazil, and the standard of the nation’s nationwide staff displays this. They’ve reached the ultimate of the Olympic Video games in six of the final ten editions, taking house the gold in three of these. The previous 20 years of Brazilian volleyball have produced probably the greatest, most constant males’s groups ever.