It's all or almost nothing for Bulgarian volleyball at the men's World Cup next month in Japan. Martin Stoev's team received a wild-card as a "gift" from the Fйdйration Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), despite having finished only 8th at the Euro 2007 championships. The tournament, in the Land of the Rising Sun (November 18-December 2), appears to be the easiest way for Bulgaria to qualify for the Beijing 2008 Olympic games. The top three teams from the World Cup will join China, the host, in the 12-strong Olympic field. Teams who fail to qualify at this first hurdle will then have two more chances, at a continental qualification tournament and a world tournament. At the European qualifiers there will be a lot of other strong teams, such as Italy, Serbia, France, Poland and Holland.

Next month Bulgaria will have to overcome one or two strong opponents for a top-three finish. The complete line-up for the men's FIVB World Cup 2007 is: Japan (host country), Spain (Europe, champion), USA (Norceca, champion), Brazil (South America, champion), Australia (Asia, champion), Egypt (Africa, champion), Russia (Europe, runner up), Puerto Rico (Norceca, runner up), Argentina (South America, runner up), Tunisia (Africa, runner up), Bulgaria (wild card) and Korea (wild card). Brazil and Russia are considered the favourites, so coach Stoev and his star players must find a way past Spain and the USA, as it is assumed they won't face problems against the other teams.

As well as the host nation, the five continental champions qualified automatically for the World Cup, along with the best four runners-up based on the FIVB world rankings for January 2007. The FIVB and the competition organisers announced their decision to assign the two wild cards to Bulgaria and Korea on September 26. However, it became clear that the Bulgarian volleyball federation was aware of this decision a month earlier, before Euro 2007 in Russia. The governing body explained that Bulgaria was appointed by the FIVB Board of Administration in order to allow Germany to host one of the Intercontinental Olympic Qualification Tournaments. The Bulgarian federation revealed its personal gratitude to FIVB President Dr. Ruben Acosta.

Vladimir Nikolov and Hristo Tsvetanov return to the national team for the World Cup. Both players were dropped from the team for Euro 2007, by coach Martin Stoev, and it is thought the team suffered as a result.

The 2008 World League draw has been made. The calendar will follow the same formula as previous years. A total of 16 teams will compete, in four pools of four teams, over six weekends, from June 13 to July 20 2008. The Council decided to assign the organisation of the final round, July 23-27, to Brazil. The bid from Italy was rejected because the federation did not provide a contract signed with a broadcaster.

The FIVB 2008 World League Pools are: Pool A: Brazil, France, Serbia, Canada; Pool B: Russia, Cuba, Korea, Italy; Pool C: USA, Bulgaria, Argentina/Spain (or Portugal), Finland; Pool D: Poland, Japan, China, Egypt.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria took a disappointing 11th place out of 16 participants at the Women's Indesit European Championship. Italy won their first European title, defeating Serbia in straight sets in the final. The bronze medal was taken by Russia who beat defending champion Poland 3:1.