France coach Laurent Tillie was one of two coaches to participate in Sunday's draw
Lodz, Poland, September 15, 2014 - Following the completion of the exciting FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship Poland 2014 second round on Sunday - culminating with an epic 3-2 win by Poland over France, which confirmed France and Poland in first and second place in Pool E respectively - the emotions remained high in Lodz as the drawing of lots for the third round was held in Atlas Arena in an awesome atmosphere.The draw took place in the press conference room, right after the final statements of coaches Laurent Tillie and Stephane Antiga about the game. Both of them remained for the draw, along with the team managers of Iran, France and Poland - all of the Pool E teams directly involved in the third round.The procedure was conducted by Mr. Aleksandar Boricic, FIVB Control Committee President for the competition, together with LOC President Mr. Wojciech Czayka and FIVB Control Committee Venue Operations Director Mr. Shanrit Wongprasert.Mr Boricic explained the formula to the teams, journalists and photographers, who not only filled the chairs but were also lined up outside of the room, while POLSAT broadcast the whole ceremony live.After underlining that Poland will stay in Lodz for the third round regardless of the result of the draw, the key moment arrived. France and Brazil, as pool leaders, were placed as the first teams of Pools G and H respectively. The other four teams - hosts Poland, Russia, Iran and Germany were put together in the same bowl.Mr. Wongprasert drew Brazil to establish that the following team was going to take on the world's No. 1 team in the third round. And Poland team manager Hubert Tomaszewski drew Poland, a twist that not only created an awesome clash but also decided Pool H to be held in Lodz.Meanwhile Iran team manager Amir Khoshkhabar drew Germany as the second team in Pool G before France coach Tillie, who was the one in charge of the final choice for Pool H, pulled out Russia to complete a mouth-watering pool, while France were immediately placed with Iran and Germany - something that ignited the relief of captain Benjamin Toniutti, who was among those in attendance.
Third Round Pools
Pool G in Katowice: France, Germany, Iran
Pool H in Lodz: Brazil, Poland, Russia