Israel women's national volleyball team
Encyclopedia
The Israel women's national volleyball team represents Israel
in international women's volleyball
competitions and friendly matches. It is governed by the Israel Volleyball Association. Just like in other sports, even though Israel is geographically located in Asia, it competes in European competitions. Its best result so far was a fourth place, in the 2010 European League
, in Turkey
. On September 11, 2010, after losing the first leg of the repechage against Belarus
side by 3:2, and beating them by 3:1 at home, the team qualified for the 2011 European Championship
after thirty nine years of absence on this competition.
, volleyball was one the sports with regular disputes, including women's championships. But because of the 1948 War of Independence, like most of the Israeli sports, volleyball was suspended, in order to help the army in the battlefield.
The first time Israel women's national team participated in a prestigious competition, was the 1956 World Championship
, in France
. The squad was seeded in a group along with the Soviet Union, United States
and Luxembourg. Israel finished third in the group, and then went on to dispute from 11th to 17th places, where it got a final 14th, whereas Brazil
finished 11th and the Soviet Union claimed the world championship.
In 1967, the Israeli national team celebrated her first European Championship
. The tournament was held in Istanbul, Turkey, and the team played in the group stages, finishing second, after Turkey
and before Sweden and Bulgaria
. The next stage, the final round, had the top eight teams in the tournament. There, Israel has achieved two wins and seven losses and finished eighth in the final rankings.
Four years later, in 1971, the Israeli national team again reached the European Championship finals tournament. The tournament was held in Italy
, where the team played the preliminary round, reaching the second place in its group, after Hungary
and before England. This second place led to the 7th–12th spots placement games. Israel has achieved one win and suffered four losses in its last appearance on the European championship tournament, finishing 11th.
to the Israeli coach's position, the Israeli team was dubbed "Project Selinger." The project was launched in the summer of 2007 with the goal of qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics. Special daily trainings were made for the evolution of the team.
In the spring of 2010, the Israeli team played in 2011 European Championship
qualifier in Group C along with the sides of Ukraine
, United Kingdom and Slovakia
. The first two stages, when Israel played Ukraine and Great Britain, finished in second place, with four wins and two losses. Not qualifying directly, the Israelis had to dispute playoff games to define the last spots. On the playoffs, Israel had to face Belarus
in two matches. After losing in Minsk
on September 4, by 3:2 (19–25, 18–25, 25–18, 27–25, 15–13), a week later, in Ra'anana
, Israel came back for a 3:1 win (25–22, 16–25, 25–20, 26–24) in front of 1,500 spectators, giving them the spot for the final round of the 2011 competition, after thirty nine years since they last took part on the finals.
On June 2010 women's team began the campaign debut in the European League
. Israel has been inserted to Group B together with Turkey, Spain
and Greece
at the end the group stage, qualified for four major teams tournament held in late July 2010 in Ankara
, the capital of Turkey. Losing by 3:0 to Serbia
and 3:0 to Turkey, Israel got the fourth place of the league, its best result so far in any tournament.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in international women's volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
competitions and friendly matches. It is governed by the Israel Volleyball Association. Just like in other sports, even though Israel is geographically located in Asia, it competes in European competitions. Its best result so far was a fourth place, in the 2010 European League
2010 Women's European Volleyball League
The 2010 Women's European Volleyball League was the second edition of the annual Women's Volleyball Tournament, played by eight European countries from June 5 to July 18, 2010...
, in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. On September 11, 2010, after losing the first leg of the repechage against Belarus
Belarus women's national volleyball team
The Belarus women's national volleyball team represents Belarus in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union the team first competed on the highest level under its own flag at the 1993 European Championship, finishing in eighth...
side by 3:2, and beating them by 3:1 at home, the team qualified for the 2011 European Championship
2011 Women's European Volleyball Championship
The 2011 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the 27th edition of the European Volleyball Championship, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
after thirty nine years of absence on this competition.
History
In the beginning of the State of IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, volleyball was one the sports with regular disputes, including women's championships. But because of the 1948 War of Independence, like most of the Israeli sports, volleyball was suspended, in order to help the army in the battlefield.
The first time Israel women's national team participated in a prestigious competition, was the 1956 World Championship
1956 FIVB Women's World Championship
The 1956 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship was the second edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held in Paris, France from August 30 to September 12, 1956.-Teams:Group AGroup BGroup CGroup D...
, in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The squad was seeded in a group along with the Soviet Union, United States
United States women's national volleyball team
The United States women's national volleyball team represents the United States of America in international volleyball competitions and friendly games, and is governed by USA Volleyball.-Current Squad:...
and Luxembourg. Israel finished third in the group, and then went on to dispute from 11th to 17th places, where it got a final 14th, whereas Brazil
Brazil women's national volleyball team
The Brazil women's national volleyball team is the national volleyball team of Brazil. It is administrated by the Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol and takes part in international volleyball competitions. It is ranked first in the FIVB World Rankings as of August 2009...
finished 11th and the Soviet Union claimed the world championship.
In 1967, the Israeli national team celebrated her first European Championship
European Volleyball Championship
The European Volleyball Championship is a sport competition for national teams, currently held biannually and organized by the CEV, the European volleyball federation. There are both men's and women's competitions....
. The tournament was held in Istanbul, Turkey, and the team played in the group stages, finishing second, after Turkey
Turkey women's national volleyball team
The Turkey women's national volleyball team is the women's national team of Turkey. It is governed by the Turkish Volleyball Federation and takes part in international volleyball competitions. The team's biggest success came in 2003, when Turkey won the silver medal at the 2003 European...
and before Sweden and Bulgaria
Bulgaria women's national volleyball team
The Bulgaria women's national volleyball team represents Bulgaria in international women's volleyball competitions and is controlled by the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation...
. The next stage, the final round, had the top eight teams in the tournament. There, Israel has achieved two wins and seven losses and finished eighth in the final rankings.
Four years later, in 1971, the Israeli national team again reached the European Championship finals tournament. The tournament was held in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, where the team played the preliminary round, reaching the second place in its group, after Hungary
Hungary women's national volleyball team
The Hungary women's national volleyball team is the national team of Hungary. It is governed by the Magyar Roplabda Szovetseg and takes part in international volleyball competitions.-Olympic Games:* 1964 — did not qualify* 1968 — did not qualify...
and before England. This second place led to the 7th–12th spots placement games. Israel has achieved one win and suffered four losses in its last appearance on the European championship tournament, finishing 11th.
Project Selinger
Israeli women's national team in recent years has become a success model for imitation in other Israeli sports. Since the return of Dr. Arie SelingerArie Selinger
Aryeh Selinger is widely regarded as one of the greatest volleyball coaches of all time.Selinger has served as the head coach of the USA Women's Team in the years 1975-1984, a team that would go on to win the Bronze medal in the 1982 World Championship and the Silver Medal in the 1984 Summer...
to the Israeli coach's position, the Israeli team was dubbed "Project Selinger." The project was launched in the summer of 2007 with the goal of qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics. Special daily trainings were made for the evolution of the team.
In the spring of 2010, the Israeli team played in 2011 European Championship
2011 Women's European Volleyball Championship
The 2011 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the 27th edition of the European Volleyball Championship, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
qualifier in Group C along with the sides of Ukraine
Ukraine women's national volleyball team
The Ukraine women's national volleyball team represents Ukraine in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union the team first competed on the highest level under its own flag at the 1993 European Championship, winning the bronze...
, United Kingdom and Slovakia
Slovakia women's national volleyball team
The Slovakia women's national volleyball team represents Slovakia in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches.-European Championship:* 1993 to 2001 — did not participate* 2003 — 9th place...
. The first two stages, when Israel played Ukraine and Great Britain, finished in second place, with four wins and two losses. Not qualifying directly, the Israelis had to dispute playoff games to define the last spots. On the playoffs, Israel had to face Belarus
Belarus women's national volleyball team
The Belarus women's national volleyball team represents Belarus in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union the team first competed on the highest level under its own flag at the 1993 European Championship, finishing in eighth...
in two matches. After losing in Minsk
Minsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
on September 4, by 3:2 (19–25, 18–25, 25–18, 27–25, 15–13), a week later, in Ra'anana
Ra'anana
Ra'anana is a city in the heart of the southern Sharon Plain of the Central District of Israel with a population of 68,300, . Ra'anana is bordered by Kfar Sava on the east and Herzliya on the southwest...
, Israel came back for a 3:1 win (25–22, 16–25, 25–20, 26–24) in front of 1,500 spectators, giving them the spot for the final round of the 2011 competition, after thirty nine years since they last took part on the finals.
On June 2010 women's team began the campaign debut in the European League
European Volleyball League
The European Volleyball League is an annual continental volleyball tournament, introduced in 2004. The event is the European equivalent of the FIVB World League. After a preliminary league round the tournament ends with a Final Four, hosted in one city. The women's tournament introduced in...
. Israel has been inserted to Group B together with Turkey, Spain
Spain women's national volleyball team
The Spain women's national volleyball team represents Spain in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches.-Olympics:* 1992 — 8th place-World Championship:* 1982 — 20th place-European Championship:* 2005 — 9th place...
and Greece
Greece women's national volleyball team
The Greece women's national volleyball team represents Greece in international women's volleyball competitions and friendly matches. The team first competed on the highest level at the 1985 European Championship, finishing in 12th place.-Olympic Games:...
at the end the group stage, qualified for four major teams tournament held in late July 2010 in Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
, the capital of Turkey. Losing by 3:0 to Serbia
Serbia women's national volleyball team
The Serbia women's national volleyball team is the national team of Serbia. It is governed by the Volleyball Federation of Serbia and takes part in international volleyball competitions....
and 3:0 to Turkey, Israel got the fourth place of the league, its best result so far in any tournament.
Olympic Games
- 1964Volleyball at the 1964 Summer OlympicsVolleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics was represented by two events: men's team and women's team.-Medal table:-Medal summary:-External links:*...
to 2008Volleyball at the 2008 Summer OlympicsVolleyball competitions at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing were held from 9 to 24 August 2008. Indoor volleyball events were held at Capital Indoor Stadium and Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium...
— did not compete
World Championship
- 19521952 FIVB Women's World ChampionshipThe 1952 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship was the first edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held in Moscow, Soviet Union from August 17 to August 29, 1952.- Round robin :-References:*...
— did not compete - 19561956 FIVB Women's World ChampionshipThe 1956 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship was the second edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held in Paris, France from August 30 to September 12, 1956.-Teams:Group AGroup BGroup CGroup D...
— 14th place - 19601960 FIVB Women's World ChampionshipThe 1960 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship was the third edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from October 28 to November 14, 1960.-Teams:Group AGroup B* —...
to 2006 — did not compete - 20102010 FIVB Women's World ChampionshipThe 2010 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship was the 16th edition of the FIVB World Championship. Like the previous 2006 FIVB Women's World Championship, the 2010 edition also was held in Japan, from October 29, 2010 to November 14, 2010, though the range of venues and locations was modified...
— did not qualify
World Grand Prix
- 1993FIVB World Grand Prix 1993The 1993 FIVB World Grand Prix was the first edition of the women's volleyball tournament, annually arranged by FIVB. It was played by eight countries from 28 May to 30 June 1993. The final round was staged in Hong Kong.-Final standings:-References:*...
to 2010FIVB World Grand Prix 2010The 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix was a women's volleyball tournament to be played by 12 countries from 6–29 August 2010. The finals were held at the Beilun Gymnasium in Ningbo, China...
— did not compete
European Championship
- 19491949 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 1949 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the first edition of the event, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball. It was hosted in Prague, Czechoslovakia from September 10 to September 18, 1949....
to 19631963 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 1963 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the sixth edition of the event, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
— did not compete - 19671967 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 1967 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the sixth edition of the event, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
— 8th place - 19711971 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 1971 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the eighth edition of the event, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
— 11th place - 19751975 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 1975 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the ninth edition of the event, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
to 20072007 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 2007 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the 25th edition of the event, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
— did not compete - 20092009 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 2009 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the 26th edition of the European Volleyball Championship, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
— did not qualify - 20112011 Women's European Volleyball ChampionshipThe 2011 Women's European Volleyball Championship was the 27th edition of the European Volleyball Championship, organised by Europe's governing volleyball body, the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball...
— 16th place
European League
- 20092009 Women's European Volleyball LeagueThe 2009 Women's European Volleyball League was the first edition of the annual Women's Volleyball Tournament, played by eight European countries from May 22 to June 28, 2009...
— did not compete - 20102010 Women's European Volleyball LeagueThe 2010 Women's European Volleyball League was the second edition of the annual Women's Volleyball Tournament, played by eight European countries from June 5 to July 18, 2010...
— 4th place - 20112011 Women's European Volleyball LeagueThe 2011 Women's European Volleyball League was the third edition of the annual European Volleyball League, which featured Women's national volleyball teams from twelve European countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Romania, Serbia, Spain, and Turkey...
— League round