Expect fireworks right on opening day of the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup as Sweden and Belgium clash in a knockout match on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Champions of the European Golden League in Ostrava a few weeks ago, Sweden brings a formidable team led by league Most Valuable Player Isabelle Haak, who turns 25 next week.
Belgium, which defeated Romania in straight sets to earn the bronze in the European league, parades a squad featuring star outside hitter Britt Herbots, 24, and middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet, who just turned 25.
The Swedes and Belgians clash at 5 p.m. after the showdown between Puerto Rico and Kenya at 3 o’clock in the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
European Golden League silver medalist Czech Republic, led by outside hitter Michaela Mlejnkova, battles the South American Volleyball Confederation’s Argentina, which placed third in the 2019 Challenger Cup, at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Coming off a gold medal finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup, Southeast Asia powerhouse Vietnam tests the mettle of Alas Pilipinas Women, who bagged bronze in the same tournament to post their first podium finish in a continental event.
The FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup is a knockout tournament featuring eight teams from five continental confederations vying for a spot in the elite FIVB Volleyball Nations League next year.
The survivors of the first two match days advance to Saturday’s semifinals, with the battle for third place and the gold medal match set Sunday.
Puerto Rico was among the first to qualify for the Women’s VCC, topping the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation, or NORCECA, International League Final Four last year.
Kenya boasts of the top-ranked women’s team in the African Volleyball Confederation and the squad led by captain and veteran middle blocker Trizah Atuka will make a stop in the Philippines before its stint in the Paris Olympics.