BAHRAIN take on Egypt in the opening match of the FIVB Boys Under-19 World Volleyball Championship to be held at Isa Sports City from August 18 to 27.
In a colourful draw last night at the Golden Tulip Hotel, International Volleyball Federation official Ramon Suzara conducted the draw in the presence of Bahrain and Arab Volleyball Association president Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Volleyball Association vice-president Jehad Khalfan, embassy officials and others.
Bahrain as hosts were potted in Pool ‘A’, World No1 ranked Poland in Pool ‘B’, second ranked Argentina in Pool ‘D’ and fourth ranked Italy in Pool ‘C’.
Number 3 Iran, No. 5 Russia and No. 6 Brazil and No. 7 the US were the other teams potted before the draw.
The other teams in Bahrain’s group are the US, Puerto Ricco, Egypt and Tunisia.
Bahrain, currently ranked 38 with six other countries including Saudi Arabia, and the only GCC country in the fray, next take on the US on August 19 while August 20 will be a rest day for the hosts before they clash with Puerto Ricco on August 21 and play their final match on August 22 against Tunisia.
The matches will be played on two courts at the Isa Sports City, starting at 12.30pm.
Match schedule:
August 18, Friday:
Group ‘A’: Bahrain vs Egypt, Puerto Ricco vs Tunisia.
Group ‘B’: Brazil vs France; Poland vs Japan.
Group ‘C’: Turkey vs Russia; South Korea vs Chile.
Group ‘D’: Czech Rep vs Iran; China vs Argentina
August 19, Saturday:
Group ‘A’: Egypt vs Puerto Ricco; US vs Bahrain.
Group ‘B’: France vs Poland; Cuba vs Brazil.
Group ‘C’: Russia vs South Korea; Italy vs Turkey.
Group ‘D’: Iran vs China; Mexico vs Czech Republic.
August 20, Sunday:
Group ‘A’: Puerto Ricco vs US; Tunisia vs Egypt.
Group ‘B’: Poland vs Cuba; Japan vs France.
Group ‘C’: South Korea vs Italy; Chile vs Russia.
Group ‘D’: China vs Mexico; Argentina vs Iran.
August 21, Monday:
Group ‘A’: US vs Tunisia; Bahrain vs Puerto Ricco.
Group ‘B’: Cuba vs Japan; Brazil vs Poland.
Group ‘C’: Italy vs Chile; Turkey vs South Korea.
Group ‘D’: Mexico vs Argentina; Czech Republic vs China.
August 22, Tuesday:
Group ‘A’: Tunisia vs Bahrain; Egypt vs US.
Group ‘B’: Japan vs Brazil; France vs Cuba.
Group C’: Chile v Turkey; Russia v Italy.
Group ‘D’: Argentina vs Czech Republic; Iran vs Mexico.