Rio 2016: Brazil face Cameroon in women's volleyball opener

Defending Olympic women’s volleyball champions Brazil will begin their Rio 2016 campaign against newcomers Cameroon, it has been confirmed following the unveiling of the full schedule.

The Brazilians, who beat the United States in four sets in the London 2012 gold medal match, are among the big hopes for home success at the Games in August and will be favourites in Pool A.

Following their clash with Cameroon on August 6, they will then go on to face South American rivals Argentina on August 8 before a meeting with Japan on August 10 in a re-run of their London 2012 semi-final.

Brazil are due to conclude pool play with matches against South Korea and Russia on August 12 and 14 respectively.

In Pool B, world champions the US will begin their quest for glory against Olympic debutantes Puerto Rico on August 6.

The Americans will then go up against The Netherlands on August 8, Serbia on August 10, Italy on August 12 and China on August 14 in a repeat of the 2014 World Championship final.

An all-Asian affair will open the competition on August 6 as Japan meet South Korea, the same team they defeated to claim bronze at London 2012.

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s World Cup winners China will then take on The Netherlands prior to the first matches of Brazil and the US.

Rounding out day one will be Russia against Argentina, who will also be making their Olympic bow, and Serbia against Italy in an all-European showdown.

The top four teams from each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals, which are due to take place on August 16.

The semi-finals are scheduled for August 18, while the gold and bronze medal matches are set for August 20.

The event is due to be held at the iconic Maracanãzinho, with three sessions of two matches per day.

A number of the teams will arrive in Rio de Janeiro with some knowledge of at least one of their opponents, with many set to clash during the ongoing FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.