World women volleyball champions Russia take on Thailand as FIVB releases fixtures

The Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) has announced match schedules for Women's World Championship Italy 2014.

The tournament involves 24 teams that are set to go head-to-head for the title in one of volleyball's most anticipated events of the year.

The host country Italy has automatically qualified for the quadrennial event, which will take place from September 23 to October 12, while 22 of the 23 teams have been determined through qualifying tournaments held within the five FIVB Confederations (AVC, CAVB, CEV, CSV and NORCECA) to date.

Defending champions Russia (world number 6) will begin their bid for a third successive title when they take on Thailand (WR 12) in their opening Pool C match of the Championship, scheduled to take place in Verona, in the first of three phases of the quadrennial tournament.

In the first phase, the 24 participating teams are divided into four pools of six teams following the drawing of lots, which took place in Parma on March 10.

The first round of the FIVB Women's World Championship Italy 2014 will take place from September 23 to 28, in Roma, Trieste, Verona and Bari, with a total of 12 matches played on the opening day of the first round.

In Pool A, Argentina (WR 18) will take on Croatia (WR 24), the Dominican Republic (WR 8) will play against Germany (WR 9) and hosts Italy (WR 4) will take on Tunisia (WR 27) in Roma.

The Pool B matches in Trieste will see Canada (WR 20) take on Cameroon (WR 26) and Serbia (WR 7) play against Turkey (WR 11).

The last Pool B match of the day will see Brazil (WR 1) – current Olympic champions and 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix and FIVB World Grand Champions Cup title holders – take on Bulgaria (WR 35).

The South Americans are hoping to add to their impressive list of recent accolades with their first ever World Championship title.