Volleyball trial Hawkeye

Volleyball trial Hawkeye ahead of possible Olympic inclusion

By Paul Higham Twitter: @SkySportsPaulH. Last Updated: February 13, 2012 9:55pm

Volleyball: Hawkeye trialed in Poland next month

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The Hawkeye system could be used in the Olympic volleyball tournament if a trial run during the Champions League Final Four next month is successful.

European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) officials have decided to employ the tracking system during the Final Four event in Poland next month.

The move means that it could then be used for the London 2012 Olympics this summer, if proved to be a success.

The system, already in use in tennis and cricket, will be used in a similar way as tennis to rule on marginal calls on whether the ball was out or not.

CEV's press officer Federico Ferraro said that it was too early to talk about the Olympics but a successful trial at the Final Four would pave the way.

Trial

"The Hawkeye system will be used for the very first time in an international competition as even (world's governing body) FIVB never used it," Ferraro said.

"We'll see what kind of reactions we'll receive after the Final Four tournament and then we'll have to see what the FIVB think about it.

"It's too early to say if the Hawkeye system will be used at the Olympic Games in London but of course, there's a possibility for Hawkeye's introduction at some of the biggest volleyball competitions. We'll wait and see."

Captains will be given two reviews per set in Poland, where the system has already been successfully used in their own domestic league on several occasions.

"I am really positively impressed by the system," said CEV's President of the European Cups Commission Riet Ooms.

The Final Four will take place on March 17-18, with Polish team Skra Belchatow hosting having already qualified and with other three participants to be decided later this month.