# 1998 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship

The 1998 FIVB Women's World Championship was the thirteenth edition of the tournament, organized by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held from 3 to 12 November 1998 in Tokyo, Tokuyama, Matsumoto, Kagoshima, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Osaka, Japan.

## Qualification

| Team | Confederation | Qualified as | Qualified on | Appearance in finals |
| Japan | AVC | Host | | 11th |
| China | AVC | AVC Pool B Winner | 29 June 1997 | 9th |
| South Korea | AVC | AVC Pool C Winner | 6 July 1997 | 8th |
| Russia | CEV | CEV Pool D Winner | 14 September 1997 | 12th |
| Bulgaria | CEV | CEV Pool H Winner | 14 September 1997 | 9th |
| Thailand | AVC | AVC Playoff Winner | 18 September 1997 | 1st |
| Netherlands | CEV | CEV Pool E Winner | 21 September 1997 | 9th |
| Brazil | CSV | CSV Pool K Winner | 2 November 1997 | 11th |
| Peru | CSV | CSV Pool K Runner-up | 2 November 1997 | 10th |
| Cuba | NORCECA | NORCECA Pool I Winner | 9 November 1997 | 8th |
| Germany | CEV | CEV Pool G Winner | 4 January 1998 | 10th |
| Croatia | CEV | CEV Pool F Winner | 11 January 1998 | 1st |
| Italy | CEV | CEV Playoff Winner | 1 February 1998 | 6th |
| United States | NORCECA | NORCECA Pool J Winner | 1 February 1998 | 11th |
| Kenya | CAVB | CAVB Pool A Winner | 1 March 1998 | 2nd |
| Dominican Republic | NORCECA | NORCECA Playoff Winner | 14 March 1998 | 3rd |
    1.^ Competed as Soviet Union from 1952 to 1990; 2nd appearance as Russia.
    2.^ Competed as West Germany from 1956 to 1990; 2nd appearance as Germany.
Source:Official website

## Venues

| Pool A | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan |
| Tokyo | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan |
| National Yoyogi Stadium | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan |
| Capacity: 12,000 | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan | FukuokaKagoshimaMatsumotoNagoyaOsakaTokuyamaTokyoclass=notpageimage| Host cities in Japan |
| Final round | Pool E | Pool C |
| Osaka | Nagoya | Matsumoto |
| Osaka Chuo Gymnasium | Nagoya Rainbow Hall | Matsumoto City Gymnasium |
| Capacity: 10,000 | Capacity: 9,000 | Capacity: 6,000 |
| Pool D | Pool F | Pool B |
| Kagoshima | Fukuoka | Tokuyama |
| Kagoshima Arena | Marine Messe Fukuoka | Tokuyama City Sports Center |
| Capacity: 5,000 | Capacity: 9,000 | Capacity: 5,000 |
Source:

## Format

The tournament was played in three different stages (the first, second, and final rounds). In the First Round, the 16 participants were divided into four groups of four teams each. A single round-robin format was played within each group to determine the teams' group position; the three best teams of each group (a total of 12 teams) progressed to the next round.   In the Second round, the 12 teams were divided into two groups of six teams. A single round-robin format was played within each group to determine the teams' group position; matches already played between teams in the First round were counted in this round. The four best teams of each group (a total of 8 teams) progressed to the next round (group winners and runners-up to 1st–4th place semifinals and group thirds and fourths to 5th–8th place semifinals).   The Final round was played in a single elimination format and consisted of two sets of semifinals and finals (one to determine 1st–4th places and the other for 5th–8th places).   For the tournament's final standings, teams that did not reach placement matches were allocated as:
* The four teams finishing 4th in each First round pool were ranked 13th.
* The two teams finishing 6th in each Second round pool were ranked 11th.
* The two teams finishing 5th in each Second round pool were ranked 9th.

## Pools composition

The drawing of lots took place on 20 April 1998 in Tokyo, Japan. Teams were seeded in the first two positions of each pool following the Serpentine system according to their FIVB World Ranking. FIVB reserved the right to seed the hosts as head of Pool A regardless of the World Ranking. All teams not seeded were drawn to take other available positions in the remaining lines. The number after the team's name reflect its FIVB World Ranking in October 1998.
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
| Japan (6) | Cuba (1) | Russia (2) | China (3) |
| Netherlands (8) | United States (7) | Brazil (5) | South Korea (4) |
| Peru (12) | Italy (9) | Germany (13) | Croatia (10) |
| Kenya (19) | Bulgaria (13) | Dominican Republic (15) | Thailand (22) |

## Results

All times are Japan Standard Time (UTC+09:00).

### First round
#### Pool A

Venue: National Yoyogi Stadium, Tokyo
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Japan | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | MAX | 135 | 55 | 2.455 | Second round |
| 2 | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2.000 | 118 | 82 | 1.439 | Second round |
| 3 | Peru | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 0.375 | 104 | 153 | 0.680 | Second round |
| 4 | Kenya | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 0.222 | 87 | 154 | 0.565 | |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 3 Nov | 14:00 | Netherlands | 3–0 | Kenya | 15–7 | 15–1 | 15–6 | | | 45–14 |
| 3 Nov | 19:15 | Peru | 0–3 | Japan | 8–15 | 6–15 | 3–15 | | | 17–45 |
| 4 Nov | 15:30 | Netherlands | 3–0 | Peru | 15–3 | 15–6 | 16–14 | | | 46–23 |
| 4 Nov | 18:30 | Kenya | 0–3 | Japan | 5–15 | 4–15 | 2–15 | | | 11–45 |
| 5 Nov | 15:30 | Peru | 3–2 | Kenya | 15–9 | 13–15 | 6–15 | 15–10 | 15–13 | 64–62 |
| 5 Nov | 18:30 | Japan | 3–0 | Netherlands | 15–9 | 15–12 | 15–6 | | | 45–27 |

#### Pool B

Venue: Tokuyama City Sports Center, Tokuyama
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Cuba | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 148 | 89 | 1.663 | Second round |
| 2 | Italy | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2.000 | 117 | 87 | 1.345 | Second round |
| 3 | Bulgaria | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0.667 | 110 | 126 | 0.873 | Second round |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.000 | 62 | 135 | 0.459 | |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total |
| 3 Nov | 14:00 | Bulgaria | 0–3 | Italy | 12–15 | 10–15 | 6–15 | | 28–45 |
| 3 Nov | 18:30 | Cuba | 3–0 | United States | 15–7 | 15–8 | 15–10 | | 45–25 |
| 4 Nov | 15:00 | Italy | 3–0 | United States | 15–7 | 15–4 | 15–3 | | 45–14 |
| 4 Nov | 18:00 | Bulgaria | 1–3 | Cuba | 15–13 | 6–15 | 8–15 | 8–15 | 37–58 |
| 5 Nov | 15:00 | Cuba | 3–0 | Italy | 15–7 | 15–9 | 15–11 | | 45–27 |
| 5 Nov | 18:00 | United States | 0–3 | Bulgaria | 3–15 | 7–15 | 13–15 | | 23–45 |

#### Pool C

Venue: Matsumoto City Gymnasium, Matsumoto
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Russia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | MAX | 135 | 54 | 2.500 | Second round |
| 2 | Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2.000 | 114 | 62 | 1.839 | Second round |
| 3 | Dominican Republic | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 0.375 | 76 | 152 | 0.500 | Second round |
| 4 | Germany | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 0.222 | 88 | 145 | 0.607 | |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 3 Nov | 14:00 | Germany | 2–3 | Dominican Republic | 15–1 | 11–15 | 6–15 | 15–7 | 15–17 | 62–55 |
| 3 Nov | 18:30 | Russia | 3–0 | Brazil | 15–7 | 15–6 | 15–11 | | | 45–24 |
| 4 Nov | 13:30 | Dominican Republic | 0–3 | Brazil | 1–15 | 4–15 | 4–15 | | | 9–45 |
| 4 Nov | 16:00 | Germany | 0–3 | Russia | 8–15 | 4–15 | 6–15 | | | 18–45 |
| 5 Nov | 13:30 | Russia | 3–0 | Dominican Republic | 15–3 | 15–8 | 15–1 | | | 45–12 |
| 5 Nov | 16:00 | Brazil | 3–0 | Germany | 15–1 | 15–4 | 15–3 | | | 45–8 |

#### Pool D

Venue: Kagoshima Arena, Kagoshima
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | South Korea | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 2.250 | 169 | 153 | 1.105 | Second round |
| 2 | China | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 1.600 | 178 | 129 | 1.380 | Second round |
| 3 | Croatia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 1.167 | 160 | 159 | 1.006 | Second round |
| 4 | Thailand | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.000 | 69 | 135 | 0.511 | |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 3 Nov | 14:00 | South Korea | 3–2 | Croatia | 15–12 | 9–15 | 15–12 | 7–15 | 15–11 | 61–65 |
| 3 Nov | 18:30 | China | 3–0 | Thailand | 15–9 | 15–2 | 15–5 | | | 45–16 |
| 4 Nov | 13:00 | Croatia | 2–3 | China | 15–9 | 5–15 | 4–15 | 15–12 | 11–15 | 50–66 |
| 4 Nov | 16:00 | South Korea | 3–0 | Thailand | 15–0 | 15–11 | 15–10 | | | 45–21 |
| 5 Nov | 13:00 | Croatia | 3–0 | Thailand | 15–9 | 15–13 | 15–10 | | | 45–32 |
| 5 Nov | 16:00 | China | 2–3 | South Korea | 13–15 | 15–17 | 15–6 | 15–10 | 9–15 | 67–63 |

### Second round

The results and the points of the matches between the same teams that were already played during the first round are taken into account for the second round.

#### Pool E

Venue: Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Nagoya
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Russia | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 1 | 15.000 | 241 | 106 | 2.274 | Finals |
| 2 | Brazil | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 3 | 4.000 | 204 | 107 | 1.907 | Finals |
| 3 | Japan | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 1.667 | 193 | 164 | 1.177 | 5th–8th places |
| 4 | Netherlands | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 0.667 | 149 | 176 | 0.847 | 5th–8th places |
| 5 | Peru | 5 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 0.214 | 136 | 247 | 0.551 | |
| 6 | Dominican Republic | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 0.133 | 119 | 242 | 0.492 | |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 7 Nov | 12:30 | Dominican Republic | 2–3 | Peru | 15–9 | 12–15 | 13–15 | 15–8 | 11–15 | 66–62 |
| 7 Nov | 15:00 | Brazil | 3–0 | Netherlands | 15–5 | 15–7 | 15–3 | | | 45–15 |
| 7 Nov | 18:00 | Japan | 1–3 | Russia | 17–16 | 7–15 | 5–15 | 8–15 | | 37–60 |
| 8 Nov | 12:30 | Netherlands | 3–0 | Dominican Republic | 15–8 | 15–3 | 15–7 | | | 45–18 |
| 8 Nov | 15:00 | Russia | 3–0 | Peru | 15–2 | 15–9 | 15–6 | | | 45–17 |
| 8 Nov | 18:00 | Brazil | 3–0 | Japan | 15–10 | 15–4 | 15–7 | | | 45–21 |
| 9 Nov | 13:00 | Netherlands | 0–3 | Russia | 9–15 | 5–15 | 2–15 | | | 16–45 |
| 9 Nov | 15:30 | Brazil | 3–0 | Peru | 15–5 | 15–5 | 15–7 | | | 45–17 |
| 9 Nov | 18:30 | Dominican Republic | 0–3 | Japan | 1–15 | 13–15 | 0–15 | | | 14–45 |

#### Pool F

Venue: Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Cuba | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 1 | 15.000 | 239 | 135 | 1.770 | Finals |
| 2 | China | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | 248 | 196 | 1.265 | Finals |
| 3 | Italy | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0.889 | 202 | 217 | 0.931 | 5th–8th places |
| 4 | Croatia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 0.833 | 268 | 293 | 0.915 | 5th–8th places |
| 5 | South Korea | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 0.538 | 213 | 281 | 0.758 | |
| 6 | Bulgaria | 5 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 0.385 | 197 | 245 | 0.804 | |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 7 Nov | 12:30 | China | 3–0 | Italy | 15–3 | 15–8 | 15–5 | | | 45–16 |
| 7 Nov | 15:00 | Cuba | 3–0 | South Korea | 15–8 | 15–2 | 15–5 | | | 45–15 |
| 7 Nov | 18:00 | Croatia | 3–1 | Bulgaria | 15–9 | 16–14 | 11–15 | 17–15 | | 59–53 |
| 8 Nov | 12:30 | China | 0–3 | Cuba | 6–15 | 8–15 | 11–15 | | | 25–45 |
| 8 Nov | 15:00 | Italy | 2–3 | Croatia | 15–10 | 13–15 | 15–8 | 12–15 | 12–15 | 67–63 |
| 8 Nov | 18:00 | South Korea | 1–3 | Bulgaria | 5–15 | 15–12 | 6–15 | 12–15 | | 38–57 |
| 9 Nov | 13:00 | Croatia | 0–3 | Cuba | 11–15 | 14–16 | 6–15 | | | 31–46 |
| 9 Nov | 15:30 | China | 3–0 | Bulgaria | 15–12 | 15–8 | 15–2 | | | 45–22 |
| 9 Nov | 18:30 | Italy | 3–0 | South Korea | 16–14 | 16–14 | 15–8 | | | 47–36 |

### Final round

Venue: Osaka Chuo Gymnasium, Osaka

#### 5th–8th places

| 5th–8th semifinals | 5th–8th semifinals | 5th place | 5th place |
| 11 November | 11 November |
| Netherlands | 0 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 12 November | 12 November |
| Italy | 3 | 12 November | 12 November |
| Italy | 3 | Croatia | 0 |
| 11 November | 11 November | | Croatia | 0 |
| 11 November | 11 November | Italy | 3 |
| Japan | 0 | Italy | 3 |
| Croatia | 3 | | |
| Croatia | 3 | 7th place | 7th place |
| | | 12 November | 12 November |
| | | Japan | 1 |
| | | Netherlands | 3 |

##### 5th–8th semifinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 11 Nov | 10:30 | Netherlands | 0–3 | Italy | 7–15 | 4–15 | 14–16 | | | 25–46 |
| 11 Nov | 18:30 | Japan | 0–3 | Croatia | 13–15 | 5–15 | 9–15 | | | 27–45 |

##### 7th place match

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 12 Nov | 15:30 | Japan | 1–3 | Netherlands | 12–15 | 15–3 | 10–15 | 8–15 | | 45–48 |

##### 5th place match

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 12 Nov | 10:30 | Croatia | 0–3 | Italy | 7–15 | 10–15 | 8–15 | | | 25–45 |

#### Finals

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| 11 November | 11 November |
| Russia | 0 |
| Russia | 0 | 12 November | 12 November |
| China | 3 | 12 November | 12 November |
| China | 3 | China | 0 |
| 11 November | 11 November | | China | 0 |
| 11 November | 11 November | Cuba | 3 |
| Brazil | 1 | Cuba | 3 |
| Cuba | 3 | | |
| Cuba | 3 | 3rd place | 3rd place |
| | | 12 November | 12 November |
| | | Brazil | 1 |
| | | Russia | 3 |

##### Semifinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 11 Nov | 13:00 | Russia | 0–3 | China | 4–15 | 4–15 | 9–15 | | | 17–45 |
| 11 Nov | 15:30 | Brazil | 1–3 | Cuba | 10–15 | 15–4 | 11–15 | 10–15 | | 46–49 |

##### 3rd place match

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 12 Nov | 13:00 | Brazil | 1–3 | Russia | 15–13 | 5–15 | 11–15 | 13–15 | | 44–58 |

##### Final

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 12 Nov | 18:30 | China | 0–3 | Cuba | 4–15 | 14–16 | 12–15 | | | 30–46 |

## Final standing

| Rank | Team |
| | Cuba |
| | China |
| | Russia |
| 4 | Brazil |
| 5 | Italy |
| 6 | Croatia |
| 7 | Netherlands |
| 8 | Japan |
| 9 | South Korea |
| 9 | Peru |
| 11 | Bulgaria |
| 11 | Dominican Republic |
| 13 | Germany |
| 13 | Kenya |
| 13 | Thailand |
| 13 | United States |
* 1998 Women's World champions
* Cuba 3rd title
* Team roster
* Yumilka Ruíz, Marlenis Costa, Mireya Luis, Lilian Izquierdo, Regla Bell, Indira Mestre, Regla Torres, Liana Mesa, Taismary Agüero, Ana Fernández, Mirka Francia, Martha Sánchez
* Head coach
* Antonio Perdomo

## Awards

* Most valuable player
    Regla Torres
* Best scorer
    Barbara Jelic
* Best spiker
    Ana Fernández
* Best blocker
    Regla Torres
* Best server
    Elles Leferink
* Best digger
    Hiroko Tsukumo
* Best setter
    Maurizia Cacciatori
* Best receiver
    Hiroko Tsukumo
* Best coach
    Antonio Perdomo
* Most Creative Coach
    Nobuchika Kuzuwa