[kingkong1]

I think it would be fair to say that among the collective games that deal with a ball, football, basketball & volleyball are by far the most popular sports in the world.

More than by the raw number of participants and fans – which is huge - but by their penetration in a bigger number of countries (cricket, rugby, Am Football, hockey, baseball also have millions of followers but their incidence is much more localized).

The three sports undisputedly are - I'd say - the kings of team ball sports in terms of planetary penetration.

And we shouldn’t be afraid to say that Brazil – man & women wise - frankly dominates in two of them & has had respectable performances in the third.

That’s essential in order to explain the penetration of Brazil in the world of sports & its popularity as a country in general.

Let’s forget the old glories and concentrate only in the last 15 years.

FOOTBALL:

World Cups (in 4 disputed):

1994 WC champion
1998 WC runner-up
2002 WC champion

Copa Américas (in 6 disputed):

1995 CA runner-up
1997 CA champion
1999 CA champion
2004 CA champion
2007 CA champion

Confederations Cup (in 6 disputed):

1997 CC champion
1999 CC runner-up
2005 CC champion
2009 CC champion

OBS: Country with the most titles in the period [3]

Copa Libertadores de América (in 15 disputed):

1994 LAs runner-up
1995 LAs champion
1997 LAs champion
1998 LAs champion
1999 LAs champion
2000 LAs runner-up
2002 LAs runner-up
2003 LAs runner-up
2005 LAs champion
2006 LAs champion
2007 LAs runner-up
2008 LAs runner-up

OBS: Country with the most titles [6] in the period (along with Argentina)

Intercontinental Cup & CWC (in 16 disputed):

1995 IC runner-up
1997 IC runner-up
1998 IC runner-up
1999 IC runner-up
2000 CWC champion
2000 CWC runner-up
2005 CWC champion
2006 CWC champion

OBS: Country with the most titles [3] in the period (along with Argentina)

That means 18 world & continental titles in 15 years.

OBS: WE ARE NOT EVEN GOING TO MENTION THE DEEDS OF THE RUNNER-UP OLYMPICS & WORLD CUP WOMEN’S BRAZIL NATIONAL TEAM IN THE LAST YEARS IN WHICH MARTA WAS DECLARED BY FAR THE BEST PLAYER OF THE WORLD & VERY PROBABLY THE BEST PLAYER EVER

VOLLEYBALL:

In order to understand Brazil’s present (and already long) domination in world volleyball we’ll have to go back to the last 26 years.

In the FIVB official site we can follow that evolution (highlights in blue):

1983
On July 19, the Brazil vs. USSR challenge at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã stadium attracts nearly 100,000 spectators.

1984
The 19th Congress of the FIVB is held in Long Beach, California; and, after 37 years at the helm, the founding French President Paul Libaud steps down and becomes Honorary President. A Mexican lawyer, Dr. Rubén Acosta H., is elected as the new President.

The USA win the Men's Olympic gold and the Chinese Women’s team also claim gold.

At the Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Brazilians (silver medallists) attract attention with their ability to make jumping serves. The idea is not new (Argentina had already tried it at the 1982 World Championship), but no one has ever seen it used so effectively before.

After Los Angeles, it is no longer possible to block a serve, and referees became more permissive in evaluating defence.

The first International Volleyball Cinema Festival is held in Perugia.

December 15: FIVB moves its quarters to a temporary office in Lausanne while preparing its permanent headquarters in this city.

1985
May 28: for the first time, a Volleyball representative (FIVB President Dr. Acosta) is named for an IOC Commission - the prestigious Olympic Movement Commission.

World Cup in Tokyo: Victory goes to the USA Men, while China confirms its dominance among the women.

December 28-31: the first Women's World Gala is played in China, (two matches in Beijing and Shanghai). A world All-Star line-up challenges the Olympic Champion China, which wins both matches and the Hitachi Cup.

1986
In Paris, USA win the Men's World Championships. China claim the women's gold medal in Prague.
Beach Volleyball receives official status by the FIVB.

1987
From February 17-22, the first Beach Volleyball World Championship is played in Ipanema, Brazil.


1990
The first edition of the men's World League gets underway, a revolutionary idea for a team sport, with US$1 million prize money, professional organization and wide TV broadcasting in a multi-location competition reaching all corners of the world.

The playing formula for the World Championship is changed. After the qualification phase, play proceeds by direct elimination matches right up to the finals for first to eighth place.

Italy wins the first US$1 million World League in Tokyo, Japan, before a crowd of 10,000 spectators. Italy upset Brazil in Rio de Janeiro and becomes the first Western European country to win the Men's Volleyball World Championship. USSR win the women's world title against China in Beijing.

1991
The first edition of the Women's World Championship for Clubs is played in Brazil. Winner is Sadia Sao Paulo.

Italy wins the second consecutive World League with US$2 million prize money for the teams. The final is in Milan in front of 12,000 spectators against Cuba.


1992

Barcelona applauds the first Olympic victory by the Brazil Men and Cuba Women. After Barcelona, the tiebreak is modified. At 16-16, play continues until one team has a two-point advantage.

The World League increases Prize Money to US$3 million and for the third time Italy win, in front of 9,000 spectators in Genoa against the Netherlands.

Brazil triumphs in the men's Super Four and Cuba in the women's.


1993

The first edition of the World Grand Prix with US$1 million in Prize Money, the women's version of the World League, is played entirely in Asia and the Final is won by Cuba against China.

The World League final is held in São Paulo and Brazil win the title.

During the 101st IOC session in Monte Carlo on September 18, Beach Volleyball is admitted as a gold medal discipline to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Debut of another major event: the Grand Champions Cup is to be played every four years in Japan, alternating on odd years with the World Cup; participants will be the continental champions. First gold medal winners are Italy Men and Cuba Women.

1994
The fifth edition of the World League offers record Prize Money of $6 million. Italy win for the fourth time, beating Cuba in the Final.

The World Congress in Athens approves new rules to go into force officially on January 1, 1995: The possibility of contacting the ball with any part of the body, including the feet; the service zone extended to the whole 9-meter back line; elimination of the "double hit" fault on the first touch of a ball coming from the opponent's court; and the permission to touch the net accidentally when the player in question is not trying to play the ball.

The Italians win the Men's World Championship for the second time in a row, equalling a previous USSR award.

At the Women's World Championship in Brazil, 26,000 spectators in Belo Horizonte attend the matches, setting a new record for women's event. Later on in São Paulo, 12,000 spectators watch Cuba win its second world title, this time in a Final against Brazil.

1995
Volleyball is 100 years old. The anniversary is observed throughout the world with awards ceremonies, tournaments, and special stamp issues and postmarks. The FIVB celebrates the event by bringing together "100 years of Volleyball in 100 days" in a special calendar of events and publishes a magnificent book, "100 Years of Global Link."

The World League is again won by the Italians. In the World Grand Prix, a surprise victory goes to the United States.

Italy win the Men's World Cup for the first time and Cuba the women's event for the third time in a row. In the World Gala, the Italian Men beat the All Stars and receive the Centennial Cup from IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

1996
The Atlanta Olympic Games makes Beach Volleyball the latest Olympic Medal Sport. A newly built 8,000-seat stadium in the historic area of Clayton County struggles to accommodate the enthusiastic crowds. Volleyball competitions have two ad hoc facilities; the Atlanta convention centre and the Georgia University Hall in Athens. Netherlands and Italy show Volleyball at its best and, after five strenuous sets, the team led by the Van de Goor brothers gives Netherlands their first gold medal in Volleyball history.

1998
The Men and Women's World Championships for the first time go to Japan, and the best Championships in Volleyball history take place. After matches in 14 cities watched by over 500,000 spectators, and the highest TV ratings in Japan since the 1964 Japanese Olympics gold for women, the Italians, led by Giani and Gardini, make history with their third consecutive crown, defeating Yugoslavia. Cuba Women, led by Regla Torres, set the same record of three crowns for women, defeating Russia.

The Congress makes a historic change in the rules, adopting the "Rally Point System" of 25 points for each of the first four sets and a 15-point fifth tiebreak set for a two-year testing period. Other changes immediately adopted are the colour ball, Libero player and allowance of interactive coaches.

2000
The Italians win their eighth World League pennant in 12 editions defeating Russia.

Cuba Women defeat Russia once more, 3-2, and win their third consecutive Olympic gold, setting an all-time record.

Following the phenomenal success of Beach Volleyball during the Sydney Olympics, the IOC Executive Committee declares Beach Volleyball an official part of the Olympic programme.

Karch Kiraly of the USA and Regla Torres of Cuba are crowned as the 20th Century Best Volleyball Players.

Italy Men (1990-98) and Japan Women (1960-1965) are declared the 20th Century Best Volleyball Teams.

The 20th Century Best Volleyball Coaches titles are awarded to Yasutaka Matsudaira, Japan Men (1964-1974), and Eugenio George, Cuba Women (1990-2000).
2001 Beach Volleyball is confirmed as a full Olympic program sport.2002
The FIVB World Congress in Buenos Aires adopts a Code of Conduct and rules against conflicts of interest and introduces height limit competitions (185 cm for men, 175 cm for women).

Italy win the FIVB Women’s World Championship for the first time in Berlin.

2003
Brazil Men win all 11 games in Japan to claim the FIVB World Cup for the first time. China Women do likewise to win their first World Cup title.

2004
China’s Women win the Olympic Volleyball title in Athens for the second time following their victory 20 years earlier in Los Angeles. Brazil’s Men also win for the second time, their first Olympic title being claimed in 1992.

2006
Dr. Rubén Acosta is unanimously reelected as President of the FIVB by delegates representing 196 of the FIVB’s 219 National Federations at the 30th FIVB World Congress in Tokyo, Japan.

The Brazilian Men defend their World Championship crown by beating Poland in the final in Tokyo. Russia’s Women win their sixth World Championship and their first since 1990.

2007
Brazil’s Men defend their FIVB World Cup title in Japan, while the Italian Women win their first World Cup title.

Brazil claim the World League for the fifth straight year and sixth time overall. They pick up a winner's cheque for US$1 million.

The Netherlands win the World Grand Prix in Ningbo, China, their first trophy in major FIVB competition. The Europeans become the sixth team to win the renowned annual women’s title and snap Brazil’s run of three straight triumphs.

2008
The FIVB opens it new premises of “Château Les Tourelles” in May, a gorgeous building by Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The 31st FIVB World Congress takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in June.

USA Men win the World League before crowning a magnificent year with Olympic gold in Beijing.

The Brazilian Women do the double as well: Olympic gold following first place in the World Grand Prix.

Dr. Rubén Acosta makes official his announced retirement from the Presidency of the FIVB at the end of the World Congress. It is agreed that Mr. Jizhong Wei of China, FIVB First Executive Vice President, is to take over the leadership of the organisation as President, unanimously elected until the next elections in 2012, according to the Congress decision to follow again in four years’ time the Olympiad cycle.

http://www.fivb.org/TheGame/ChronologicalHighlights.htm

Not to mention that Brazil men has just won the 2009 World League…

http://www.fivb.org/EN/Volleyball/Co...ings.asp?Tourn=

…& the women are on their way (at least are the favourites) to win this year’s Grand Prix in Japan.

http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co...?Tourn=WGP2009

We can see through the present men’s ranking that Brazilian supremacy wasn’t threatened even by the US men gold medal in Beijing & the World League title in 08:

http://www.fivb.org/en/volleyball/Ra...en_2009_01.asp
http://www.fivb.org/en/volleyball/Ra...en_2009_04.asp

Now at the women’s:

http://www.fivb.org/en/volleyball/Ra...en_2009_01.asp
http://www.fivb.org/en/volleyball/Ra...en_2009_08.asp

Additional links:

http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co.../Standings.asp
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co...inal.asp?sm=31
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co.../Standings.asp
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co...sp?sm=29&sm=62
http://www.fivb.org/en/Volleyball/Co...ings_page1.asp
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co...sp?sm=29&sm=63
http://www.fivb.org/Athens2004.asp
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/co...sp?sm=29&sm=64
http://www.fivb.org/EN/Volleyball/Co...2003/index.asp
http://www.fivb.org/EN/Volleyball/Co.../Standings.asp

The overall Brz domination is obvious.

BASKETBALL:

And last but not least the sport that was the 2nd one in Brazil before the irruption of the silver and golden volleyball generations of the 1980’s on, of which Wikipedia gives us a quite comprehensive overview:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_...asketball_team

And where we see Brz winning world titles & displaying world class players like Oscar, Hortênsia, Marcel, Janeth, Leandrinho, Ubiratan, Varejão, Wlamir, Rosa Branca & so many others.

In short: Brazil’s world dominance in football, volleyball & the high level of its basketball simply shows that we don't just live out of soccer as many people see us .

Those modalities put us in the vanguard of the 3 main team ball sports in the planet.

Very probably nº 1.

[Cool Rob]

Originally Posted by kingkong1

Let’s forget the old glories and concentrate only in the last 15 years.

^^ Now that’s an authoritative post!

An astonishing fact:
At points in 2005, Brazil held the World Cup, Copa America, Confederations Cup, Club World Cup, Libertadores, FIFA U-20 Title and FIFA U-17 Title. This is complete and utter domination of a sport to the point that I don’t believe it can ever be repeated by any country.

[Mengão86]

You are stretching it a bit with basketball. Let's see what Brazil does in the upcoming Copa America.

[kingkong1]

Originally Posted by Mengão86

You are stretching it a bit with basketball. Let's see what Brazil does in the upcoming Copa America.

I know Brazil went through a long bad spell in the last years.

But little by little & with the experience of the NBA athletes I'm sure we'll get back there again.

Anyway as far as the 3 main ball sports in the world we're pretty well with football & volleyball, agree?

[Mengão86]

Yep.

One could make the case that we are more dominant in volleyball than football.

[kingkong1]

Originally Posted by Mengão86

Yep.

One could make the case that we are more dominant in volleyball than football.

Quite possibly.

[kingkong1]

Originally Posted by Cool Rob

^^ Now that’s an authoritative post!

An astonishing fact:
At points in 2005, Brazil held the World Cup, Copa America, Confederations Cup, Club World Cup, Libertadores, FIFA U-20 Title and FIFA U-17 Title. This is complete and utter domination of a sport to the point that I don’t believe it can ever be repeated by any country.

Yes, it's astonishing.

Nonetheless that's not even the Golden Age of Brazil in the sport.

In terms of titles is just the second, and at the most the 4th in terms of football quality (58 through 70 was the first, 38 through 50 was the second, 78 through 86 the third).

But the point here is that NOT ONLY in football but also in volleyball (which with the addition of basketball is one of the three most popular sports on Earth) Brazil rules.

That means: in terms of sports two thirds of the fun of the whole globe is being provided by a historically obscure nation of the Southern hemisphere.

The ONLY nation that successfully practices the three sports in which the ball is round (i.e., normal), has the size of a head (therefore imaginative ) & rolls in stadiums that fit 100 000 people (consequently popular).

And that's why those sports are THE 'global' sports by excellence.

1983

On July 19, the Brazil vs. USSR challenge at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã stadium attracts nearly 100,000 spectators.

http://www.fivb.org/TheGame/ChronologicalHighlights.htm

On Aug. 21, 1951, the Globetrotters played an exhibition game in front of 75,000 people in the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskb...072904aah.html

133,961 watched the Hampden leg of the 1970 semi-final clash between Celtic and Leeds united. Celtic won but went on to lose to Feyenord after extra time in Milan.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...tch_in_england

Numbers might not be exactly correct - but that's about it.

[kingkong1]

At the Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Brazilians (silver medallists) attract atenion with their ability to make jumping serves. The idea is not new (Argentina had already tried it at the 1982 World Championship), but no one has ever seen it used so effectively before.

http://www.fivb.org/TheGame/ChronologicalHighlights.htm

In the following video several examples of the jumping serve ‘inaugurated’ years before by the 1983 Brz silver generation:

YouTube - joga volei bonito

YouTube - joga volei bonito

That generation also introduced the ‘Star Trek’ serve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7I5...layer_embedded

Brazilian volleyball shaking the structures.

[old_carioca_in_nyc]

Not only "ball" sports!!!

I am not a fan of auto racing, but we always have Brasilians winning Indianapolis 500 - Emerson Fitipaldi, etc etc - Castro-Neves,

and formula 1 - Ayrton Senna, Felipe Massa etc etc etc!!!!!

[celito]

Originally Posted by old_carioca_in_nyc

Not only "ball" sports!!!

I am not a fan of auto racing, but we always have Brasilians winning Indianapolis 500 - Emerson Fitipaldi, etc etc - Castro-Neves,

and formula 1 - Ayrton Senna, Felipe Massa etc etc etc!!!!!

I am glad you didn't mention Rubens Pe' de Chinelo .