Confederation European de Volleyball (CEV) has announced the fixtures for all the women’s and men’s matches where both Britain’s teams will be competing to finish top of their group to reach the finals. 

 

It will be the second successive year in the competition for the men’s side, but this is the first time the CEV will be staging a women’s league.

 

Each European League group consists of four teams, with home and away matches during a month-long period.

 

For the first time Britain’s matches will take place across the UK, including in Sheffield, Edinburgh and Norwich.

 

Kenny Barton, the British Volleyball Federation (BVF) performance programme manager, said: “The European League will provide both the men and women squads an ideal opportunity to continue their developments towards participation in the London 2012 Olympics.

 

“It is also another chance for volleyball fans across the UK to get behind the teams as they play in this prestigious competition.”
 

Britain's have been drawn in Pool A against Croatia, Turkey and current European champions Spain, while the women have been drawn in Pool B against Turkey, Romania and France.

 

The women will open their campaign against Turkey at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on May 30-31 and will then play Romania at Meadowbank in Edinburgh on June 13-14 and France at the University of East Anglia in Norwich on June 27-28.

 

The men will take on Croatia at Meadowbank and Turkey at Norwich on the same weekend as the women before finishing their programme with a match against Spain at the Ponds Forge International Sport Centre in Sheffield on July 11-12.

 

Richard Callicott, the president of the BVF, said: "Despite suffering cutbacks in our funding British Volleyball have determined to carry on and build on the magnificent progress made by our men and women’s squads.

 

“We have remained steadfast in our desire and determination to honour its commitments to the European Volleyball Confederation and its players by hosting and building on its existing successes.

 

“I have no doubt that British players who have shown total commitment and dedication will have benefitted from playing and training in Europe and we will be assured of some great volleyball in the competition.”

In addition to the European League, Britain men will also play an International Challenge Series against Australia at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on the May 30-31.

 

All the home ames will start at 3pm each day and tickets, which go on sale on April 20, are priced at £8.00 for adults and £4.00 for concessions.

 

For tickets and further information visit www.britishvolleyball.org or phone 0114 2235730