Tomkom Nootsara: Amazing!!!

New format for 2014 World Championships

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Board of Administration confirmed a new formula for the 2014 World Championships incorporating quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

The new formula for both the women's and men's events, due to be held in Italy and Poland respectively, will see 23 of the 24 teams go through the qualifying process with the host country the only confirmed country (the defending champion was previously also guaranteed a qualification spot). Quarterfinals, semifinals and finals last featured at a FIVB World Championships in 2002.

The 24 teams will be spread across four pools of six teams playing in a round-robin system with the top four teams advancing to a second round of preliminary matches featuring two pools of eight teams. The top four from each pool will then advance to the quarterfinal phase.

In addition, the Board also decided to maintain the same number of vacancies per continent for the 2014 World Championships as per the 2010 editions:

AVC 4 Men - 4 Women
CAVB 3 - 2
CEV 9 - 10 (including hosts)
CSV 3 - 2
NORCECA 5 - 6

The criteria of vacancies is based on the number of teams participating in the qualification phase and percentage of teams placed in the top 12 at previous World Championships.

Source: FIVB

Natalya Mammadova - Final of Champions League

Polina Rahimova - Wonderful!

Polina Rahimova show. Challenge Cup Final

The Latest CEV Ranking

The latest CEV ranking for European club competitions for 2011/12 season shows that Azerbaijan can not be represented in the European Champions league tournament as the last season.

Rabita Baku played in this tournament with "Wild Card" and finished with Silver medals.

But we can note that this ranking system is not such ideal, as all the Azeri clubs showed great performance this season. As we noted Rabita Baku finished as the second best team of Europe, Azerrail Baku won the Challenge Cup trophy playing Final against another Azeri club Lokomotiv Baku. And the last Azeri participant Igtisadchi Baku finished as the bronze medalist of the Challenge Cup.

But Azerbaijan has to send two teams to CEV CUP and two for Challenge Cup as a result of the last three seasons - 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 !!!

Anyway we hope the European Volleyball Confederation will think about that and let Azerbaijani Volleyball Federation to be represented in Europe with 5 clubs.

Updated: First Final Four round in 18-20 April in Mingechevir

Azerbaijani volleyball Federation decided to organize each of the "Final Four" tournaments of the Super league in different cities.

The first Final Four tournament will be organised in Mingechevir city from 18 till 20 April. During these three days each team will face the rest three in a row and will try to finish on the top after three rounds of Final Four. The points earned in Regular season matches will not affect on the ranking list.

All the matches will be broadcasted LIVE on Idman Azerbaijan TV.

Link:

http://www.yildiz.tv/?act=dvr&chan=idmanaz

Matches Schedule:

18 April

16:00 Rabita - Lokomotiv

18:30 Igtisadchi – Azerrail

19 April

16:00 Lokomotiv- Azerrail

18:30 Rabita - Igtisadchi

20 April

12:00 Igtisadchi - Lokomotiv

14:30 Azerrail - Rabita

The matches will be played in "KUR Olympic Centre" (Video is below)

Kimberly Glass: I want to stay in Azerbaijan

American beauty, outside-hitter of Rabita Baku, magnificent Kimberly Glass talked in her interview about her current life in Azerbaijan and about the plans for the future of her career.

- Kim, you are in Azerbaijan about nine months. What are your thoughts about this country?

I like Azerbaijan very much. The people are very kind and hospitable here. I am very happy of being here and enjoy my time in Azerbaijan.

- How could you appraise the participation and the result of Rabita Baku in the Champions league?

I am very satisfied with the result. It was my first Final Four of the Champions league. Of course, I would like to win as the other girls. But the second place is also a great result. If I stay here next season, I will do my best with my teammates for achieving the best result.

How did you come to Azerbaijan?

- I was offered very good conditions. Sports- is also bussiness (smiling). You have to choose the best offer.

Before coming from such a big country like the USA to a small Azerbaijan, did you have enough infromation?

- I was not difficult and dangerous for me to choose Azerbaijan. I am interested in different cultures. I like to travel various countries. That`s why it was very interesting to be acquainted closer with this country. Because I had heard so much about Azerbaijan. So, there was not any problem to make a choice.

- Would you like to stay in Azerbaijan for next season, either?

I would like to continue my career in this country. I like it very much here. But of course time will show.

- How do you spend free time here?

There is a nice weather in Baku. I like to walk in the city centre,boulevard, to visit restaurants and cinemas. But of course when I have free time. Because we do not have so much free time.

- Do you smoke or drink alchohol?

No, I do not smoke. But I like to drink two glasses of red wine for supper. Nothing more.

- We saw your pics in swim suits in one of the most popular magazines. What you can say about that?

I am very satisfied with those pictures. "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2011" is one of the most popular magazines and I am very proud of that I could pose for this portal. I feel so happy, and I have support of my parents too.

Is there normal approch to these pics in your motherland?

- It is quite normal. Only very famous people are chosen to pose for this magazine, that`s why I want to say it is a big honour for me.