- 60 matches, 5 days, 5 cities - 30,31 August and 1,2,3 September 

- 5 Host Cities - Muenster, Dresden/Riesa, Schwerin, Leipzig 

First round of four Pools (A, B, C, D) each consisting of six teams. Single round robin to determine the ranking in each Pool. Three best ranked teams of each Pool will qualify for the next round being the Second Round. The fourth, fifth & sixth ranked teams (total of twelve teams) are eliminated and will depart from the World Championship

- 18 matches, 3 days, 3 cities - 6,7,8 September

- 3 Host Cities - Stuttgart, Bremen, Riesa

Second Round of three Pools (E,F,G) each consisting of four teams.

   Pool E Pool F Pool G

     1A       1B      1C

     2B       2A      1D

     2C      2D      3A

     3D      3C      3B

Single round robin to determine the ranking of each Pool. The three fourth ranked teams of each Pool & the worst third ranked team (total of four teams) are eliminated and will depart from the World Championship.

The eight teams remaining in the competition will continue to participate in the next three phases of the competition and will depart upon conclusion of the finals.

5 - 8 SEMIFINALS

- 2 matches, 1 day, same 2 cities - 12 September

- 2 Host Cities - Bremen, Stuttgart

5-8 SF1  (83) L79 vs L81  (for 5-8 places)        

5-8 SF2  (84) L80 vs L82  (for 5-8 places)

1 - 4 SEMIFINALS

- 2 matches, 1 day, 1 city - 13 September

- 1 Host City - Berlin

1-4 SF1 (85) W79 vs W81  (for 1-4 places)

1-4 SF2  (86) W80 vs W82 (for 1-4 places)

- 4 matches, 2 days, 1 city - 14,15 September

- 1 Host City - Berlin

14 September, 2002

(87) L83 vs L84 (to determine 7th & 8th)

(88) L85 vs L86 (to determine 3rd & 4th)

15 September, 2002

(89) W83 vs W84 (to determine 5th & 6th)

(90) W85 vs W86 (to determine 1st & 2nd)

By the number of points gained among teams of the same First Round Pool (A, B, C, D) and among the teams of the same Second Round Pool (E,F,G).

The following points will be gained by each team:

Match won           2 points

Match lost           1 point

Match forfeited    0 points

In the case of equality in the number of points gained by two or more teams, the quotient of sets, etc., of the FIVB General Regulations Article 8.3 shall apply.

- Four teams ranked 6th in each First Round pool will be ranked 21st ex aequo. Four teams ranked 5th in each First Round pool will be ranked 17th ex aequo.

- Four teams ranked 4th in each First Round pool will be ranked 13th ex aequo.

- Three teams ranked 4th in each Second Round pool will be ranked 10th ex aequo.

- One team ranked worst 3rd in the Second Round pools with be ranked 9th.

- In the semi-final and final round the classification of teams will be determined in accordance with results of the matches (won or lost).

Drawing of Lots and distribution of teams

The distribution of teams into first round Pools A, B, C and D will be as follows:

The organiser and eleven (11) best teams according to FIVB world ranking, incorporating the results of the 2001 World Grand Prix, will be seeded. The remaining twelve (12) teams will be drawn without the application of continental principles as follows:

              Pool A  Pool B  Pool C  Pool D

Seeded (ORG)  (WR1)  (WR2)   (WR3)

Seeded (WR7)  (WR6)  (WR5)   (WR4)

Seeded (WR8)  (WR9)  (WR10) (WR11)

Draw     (draw)  (draw)  (draw)   (draw)

Draw     (draw)  (draw)  (draw)   (draw)

Draw     (draw)  (draw)  (draw)   (draw)

The order of matches in the First Round is assigned by drawing of lots in accordance with the Berger Table. The organiser has the right to choose two matches in each First Round Pool. The daily timetable of matches is fixed by the FIVB considering a proposal by the organiser. The match calendar of the Second Round will be determined by FIVB considering a proposal by the organiser.