Book excerpt: The first European Championship in men’s volleyball was contested in 1948 by just six teams, and the inaugural women’s tournament took place in 1949. As the sport spread in popularity throughout the continent, so did the number of teams participating. Today, the European Championship is played under the auspices of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), of which 55 nations are members; 16 of these 55 teams are able to play for the gold in the championships. In European Volleyball Championship Results: Since 1948, Tomasz Malolepszy charts the growth and expansion of this sport in Europe with a complete statistical history of both the men’s and women’s competition. For the first time ever, volleyball fans can find detailed results, rosters, medalists, and standings for the European Championships all in a single volume. In addition, this book contains a list of interesting records, many of which have never before been published. European Volleyball Championship Results is a valuable resource for any volleyball fan, journalist, or researcher. Companion volumes to this book include European Soccer Championship Results: Since 1958, European Ice Hockey Championship Results: Since 1910, and European Basketball Championship Results: Since 1935.