You can now watch the FIVB Beach world tour live online via the Eurosport web site at: www.eurosport.co.uk/mclivevideo.shtml

An excellent move by the FIVB and Eurosport, which means you can keep up to date with the tour if you do not have sat or cable TV. The feed is 441 kbps, I though it was very watchable, even at full screen (sat back from the monitor). A bit disappointed that they had both the English and German commentary running at the same time but as Clayton Lucas speaks twice as much as his German counterpart it was not much of a problem.

Check out the next live FIVB match at: www.eurosport.co.uk/mclivevideo.shtml

So how much is that old volleyball shirt that you still have hidden away at the back of the draw? Currently on Ebay there is a "Whitfield number 18 shirt", nicely described as "Quality vintage, in superb condition" (I assume it didn't see much action). Anyway, if anyone from Whitfield (now City of Bristol) would like to get one of your old teams shirts back, the bidding start at 10p via the following link. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Retro-VOLLEYBALL-80s-t-shirt-medium-RED_W0QQitemZ120117844285QQihZ002QQcategoryZ91243QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In the Final Round of the Men’s European Championships 2007 Small Countries Division, which took place from 4-6 May 2007 in Limassol (CYP), Cyprus defended their title against Andorra, Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands.

The hosts from Cyprus strolled through their three matches without conceding a set, taking the gold medal once again after 2003 and 2005. The Luxembourg lads, who finally took bronze, came off best against the Cypriots, totalling 57 points in the last encounter of the weekend. Andorra, who finished last in the previous edition in 2005, took second place this year having won one more set than Luxembourg.

Final Ranking: 1. Cyprus, 2. Andorra, 3. Luxembourg, 4. Faroe Islands.

The Final Round of the Women’s European Championships 2007 Small Countries Division with Scotland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Cyprus will be held this weekend (11-13 May 2007) in Glasgow (SCO):

see www.scottishvolleyball.org for more details on the event.

www.cev.lu

The Norwegian Volleyball Association and its national team players have cleared the way for a future training ground for many countries in Brazil. The thinking behind the academy is that it will serve as an international meeting point for players from all over Europe.

The Norwegian Volleyball Association has signed a contract with the Norwegian company Brazilian Realestate AS for the construction of a new beach volleyball academy in connection with the Kariri Beach Residence luxury development. This is situated in the Brazilian town of Cumbuco, 30 km north of the city of Fortaleza. The Norwegian Volleyball Association and the players have initially bought 15 apartments within walking distance of the new academy. Here we are planning to carry out international match training in an idyllic and secure environment through the ownership of Five-Star freehold apartments. All apartment buyers who are professional athletes will have free access to the beach volleyball academy.

The Norwegian Volleyball Association and the players have had the academy quality assured and can confirm that it will be of international dimensions and high standard. The academy will comprise six beach volleyball courts with spectator stands, changing rooms for both sexes, showers, cafeteria, tennis courts, football courts and more; we are also considering building a swimming pool adjoining the courts for cooling off between innings. The Norwegian Volleyball Association has also ensured that the gym at the apartments meets high standards. The development also has its own massage studio for use after training sessions. In general, Kariri Beach Residence meets the very high standards expected by Norwegians.

The Norwegian Volleyball Association has chosen this town and this developer after thorough examination of numerous projects at various locations. Quite apart from the top quality of both the apartments and the beach volleyball academy, safety (a very low crime rate) for the players and their families has been a priority, in addition to which the travelling time from Europe to Fortaleza is shorter than to Rio de Janeiro. A very robust and well-thought-out letting system has been set up which means that players can hire and rent out apartments without a care. Norway plans to start the run-up to the Olympics at the new academy from March 2008.

The Norwegian players have had feedback from players in a number of other countries interested in hearing more about the academy and what it can offer. If national associations and their players would like to get in touch please contact the below mentioned persons:

Ole Jonny Gigernes (Project leader) Ole.jonny@gigernes.com
For further information on Kariri Beach Residence, see www.cumbuco.no

www.cev.lu