Brazil's loss to Poland in the final of the men's volleyball world championship on Sunday was a blow to the South Americans, but should boost the sport in two years at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Poland upset three-time defending champion Brazil 3-1 in Katowice to end an astounding three-week tournament in Poland that drew more than 500,000 fans - including 62,000 for the tournament's opening match in Warsaw's national stadium.
Poland won its only other men's volleyball title in 1974, and then took Olympic gold in 1976.
Ary Graca, a Brazilian who heads volleyball's world governing body the FIVB, tells The Associated Press that "I have no doubt volleyball is going to be a big success at the Olympics." He suggested it will be among the hottest tickets in Rio.