The Netherlands moved to the brink of qualification for Rio 2016 after reaching the final of the Women’s European Olympic Volleyball Qualification tournament thanks to a straight sets victory over Italy, while hosts Turkey saw their hopes ended in Ankara today.

10 win to set up a tie against Russia.Meanwhile, in a clash of the two eliminated teams in Pool B, Serbia

Two-time World Cup winners Italy survived a late rally from Poland to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the Women’s European Olympic Volleyball Qualification tournament with a 3-2 victory in Ankara today.

“We are happy with being in the semis because we took our opening match with Serbia very seriously and

Colombia made a winning start at the women’s South American Olympic Volleyball Qualification Tournament in San Carlos de Bariloche after claiming a narrow 3-2 victory over Venezuela.

FIVBBrazil were the first country to qualify for Rio 2016 as hosts and have since been joined by China and Serbia

Germany and Italy each gained key victories today at the Women's European Olympic Volleyball Qualification tournament in Ankara to keep alive their hopes of securing a spot at this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

 A good German day continued courtesy of a 3-0 win over Serbia, while France beat Russia, 3-1.

The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has withdrawn its men’s team from this month’s African Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Brazzaville, citing financial constraints and lack of Government commitment as the reasons.

Brazil were the first country to qualify for Rio 2016 as hosts and have since been joined by China and Serbia

A record 36 teams are due to participate in this year's edition of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball World League with the format of the tournament having been altered.

year, after they took part and won the Group 1 Finals held in Rio de Janeiro during July, beating Serbia

due to be joined in Group 1 by Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Iran, Italy, Poland, Russia, Serbia

Russia came from two sets down to beat Poland in their opening Pool B match of the women’s European Olympic  Volleyball Qualification tournament in Ankara, Turkey.

Belgium in their opening Pool A match on the first day of competition.Fellow pool opponents Poland and Serbia

More than 1,000 people attended an event in Turkey's capital Ankara ahead of the Women's European volleyball qualification tournament for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Volleyball Hall with Turkey beginning their campaign against Croatia in a Pool A clash on January 4.Serbia

Hosts China beat Japan in the final of the Women's Asian Water Polo Championships in Foshan to secure their ticket to next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Serbia, the United States, Croatia and Greece having already booked their places.A further six teams

The President and secretary general of the Albanian National Olympic Committee, Viron Bezhani and Stavri Bello, have held a meeting in Tirana with their counterparts from Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia to discuss the possibility of cooperation in a number of fields.

next NOC meeting in Podgorica, Montenegro.It is possible the cooperation could be seen as a threat by Serbia

Four-time champions Russia fell to a surprise quarter-final defeat to Poland at the Women's World Handball Championships today, while the host nation Denmark suffered extra-time heartache.

Brazil avoid shock with win over Argentina at Women's World Handball ChampionshipsDecember 2015: Serbia

A road map is to be drawn-up to decide the future path of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) following an Executive Committee meeting in Luxembourg City, the first since Aleksandar Boricic assumed the CEV Presidency in October. 

world champions Poland to earn semi-final spot at Men's European Volleyball ChampionshipsOctober 2015: Serbia

France narrowly overcame Olympic bronze medallists Spain today to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's World Handball Championships in Denmark.

victory, with the result seeing them face The Netherlands in the quarter-final, after they defeated Serbia

champions Brazil avoid shock with win over Argentina at Women's World Handball ChampionshipsDecember 2015: Serbia

at Women's Handball World Championships as Danish winning run endedDecember 2015: Danish hosts edge Serbia

Hosts Denmark won a grudge match with local rivals Sweden at the Women's World Handball Championships today as holders Brazil were sent tumbling out.

champions Brazil avoid shock with win over Argentina at Women's World Handball ChampionshipsDecember 2015: Serbia

at Women's Handball World Championships as Danish winning run endedDecember 2015: Danish hosts edge Serbia

Russia continued their impressive form at the Women’s World Handball Championships as they ensured they finished the group stage of the tournament with a 100 per cent record by edging Romania 30-27 at the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn.

Brazil avoid shock with win over Argentina at Women's World Handball ChampionshipsDecember 2015: Serbia

Women's Handball World Championships as Danish winning run endedDecember 2015: Danish hosts edge Serbia