VNL 2023: 2nd week is over!Poland take world champions Italy down. Tie break win for Cuba and Serbia, and big win for Brazil over France

Click here for ALL photogalleries from Orleans…ah no. Why? Ask our friends from Volleyball World (if you are able to contact them….)!

Second Week of 2023 Volleyball Nations League is over with last four games.

In Pool 3 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with a very strong performance from captain Kurek, Poland moved up to fourth place in the current standings after their big victory against Italy, securing their sixth victory in the competition.
Coming from a difficult three-set loss to the United States on Saturday, today they take reigning world champions Italy down 3-1 (25:19, 28:26, 18:25, 25:20).
Polish captain and star opposite Bartosz Kurek was unstoppable offensively, leading all scorers with 20 points all in attack, while
outside hitter Wilfredo Leon also contributed with 16 points including two aces and middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski, with 14 (eight kills, two aces, four blocks).
Italy’s most prolific players were outside hitter Daniele Lavia and opposite Yuri Romanò, with 18 points each, and outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto, who scored 14.

On the same Pool, the hosts The Netherlands were defeated by Serbia after a thrilling tie break (25:22, 21:25, 25:21, 33:35, 9:15).

In Pool 4 in Orleans, France, a huge battle between two challenger teams fighting for survival ended at tie break. Cuba defeated Bulgaria by 3-2 (23:25, 25:19, 25:20, 16:25, 18:16) to celebrate the second win of their rookie VNL season and rise to 12th place in the standings with a 2-6 win-loss record and five points. Bulgaria have six now points, but on a 1-7 win-loss record.
Opposite Jesus Herrera was the most prolific player of the match with 27 points including six aces, while outside Aleksandar Nikolov was Bulgaria’s most top scorer with 23 points. His teammate Aleks Grozdanov made six winning blocks.

On the same Pool, in front of full-packed stands in Orleans, Brazil disappointed the home fans with a four-set victory over hosts France. In an exciting game, opposite Alan Souza led the South Americans to a 3-1 (24:20, 26:24, 19:25, 25:23) win. After the end of the second week, Brazil are third in the current standings with a 6-2 win-loss record and 19 points, below current leaders Japan (8-0 and 22) and second-placed USA (7-1 and 21). Reigning Olympic and VNL defrnding champions France are still below the cut-off for the Finals, in 10th place with 3-5 and nine points.
Alan Souza contributed 24 points through 59% in attack and 3 winning blocks, while outside hitter Ricardo Lucarelli was also decisive in the game scoring 15 points including 3 aces. Opposite Stephen Boyer led France’s scorers with 17 points.

__________________

🏐| 2023 VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE

— June 25, 2023 —

Pool 3 – Week 2 – Rotterdam 🇳🇱

• 12:30 (Local Time) | Italy – Poland 1-3 (19:25, 26:28, 25:18, 20:25)

• 16:00 (Local Time) | The Netherlands – Serbia 2-3 (25:22, 21:25, 25:21, 33:35, 9:15)

Pool 4 – Week 2 – Orléans 🇫🇷

• 13:00 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – Cuba 2-3 (25:23, 19:25, 20:25, 25:16, 16:18)

• 17:30 (Local Time) | Brazil – France 3-1 (25:20, 26:24, 19:25, 25:23)

__________________

🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Japan 22
2. USA 21
4. Brazil 19
3. Slovenia 18
5. Argentina 16
6. Italy 15
7. Poland 14
8. The Netherlands 14
9. Serbia 11
10. France 9
11. Iran 8
12. Bulgaria 6
13. Cuba 5
14. Canada 5
15. China 5
16. Germany 4