By Paul Osborne

The Drawing of the Lots for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championships took place at the Farnese Theatre in Parma today ©2014 FIVBMarch 10 - Russia will begin begin the defence of their title in Verona, after being drawn into Pool C for the 2014 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women's World Championship.

The FIVB's flagship event will see 24 teams competing across six Italian cities - Trieste, Milan, Modena, Verona, Rome and Bari - from September 23 to October 12, for the chance to be crowned world champions.

Two-time defending champions Russia, currently ranked sixth in the world, will face tough opposition in the shape of Thailand, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan and two teams from the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) in Pool C, as they look to add a third title since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

As hosts, Italy were given the first spot in Pool A and are set to play their group stage matches in Rome.

At the draw in the Farnese Theatre in Parma, they were pitted against Germany, Argentina, Croatia, Tunisia and a team from NORCECA.

The Pools for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in Italy ©2014 FIVBThe Pools for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in Italy ©FIVB



Pool B is arguably the toughest of the four with Brazil, who have lost in both the previous finals to the Russians and are currently ranked first in the world, facing Serbia, Turkey, Cameroon, Bulgaria and a currently undecided NORCECA side in Trieste.

The fourth and final pool sees the 2010 World Championship bronze medallists Japan, grouped with China, Belgium, Azerbaijan and two NORCECA teams, with games to be played in Bari.

The final qualifiers, set to decide the six teams competing from NORCECA, are due to take place between May 12 and June 9.

There have been 127 teams across the world competing to qualify for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in Italy.

Russian retained their title during the World Championships in Japan in 2010 by beating Brazil by three sets to two at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo.