VNL 2024: 3rd win for Slovenia in Antalya. France, Bulgaria, Italy, Argentina and Cuba ok

In 2024 Volleyball Nations League tournament in Antalya, Slovenia secured their third victory after a hard-fought match against Canada, winning 3-2 (22:25, 25:18, 25:18, 21:25, 15:10) after their previous triumphs over the Netherlands and France.
Despite several ups and downs in both sides, the team under the led of head coach Gheorghe Cretu, the team had a slow start, trailing 1-6 initially and failing to win the first set. However, they quickly found their rhythm.
In the decisive tie-break, Slovenia played with determination and secured the victory without major problems, making a decisive move at 6-6, scoring three consecutive points to lead 9-6 and eventually winning the set 15-10, led by Toncek Stern’s 23 points and maintaining an unbeaten streak with three wins. Canada’s Stephen Maar was the most prolific player of the match with 27 points.
On the same Pool, Bulgaria defeated USA with the score of 3-1 (25:21, 25:20, 21:25, 25:21) boosted them up one spot to number 19 in the FIVB World Rankings, while the USA dropped to third, relinquishing their second-place position to Italy.
Bulgarian opposite Dimitar Dimitrov led the winners with 22 points, including one ace and one winning block, while Outside hitters Asparuh Asparuhov (including 4 aces) and Georgi Tatarov also contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.
The USA were guided by opposite Jake Hanes, who scored a match-high 24 points, followed by Jordan Ewert with 13 points and Matthew Knigge with 11 points, including three aces.
In another match, France defeated Türkiye by 1-3 (27:25, 23:25, 16:25, 14:25), with Jean Patry scoring a match-high 19 points, including four aces. The reigning Olympic champions finished the week with a 3-1 record and 9 points, leaving Türkiye winless in their VNL debut.
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Italy secured their third consecutive victory in the competition defeating a bad Japan 3-1 (23:25, 25:16, 25:17, 25:17) after dropping the first set. The Italian team’s impressive performance at the net, achieving 16 blocks, was decisive to their success. Yuri Romanò and Alessandro Michieletto scored 21 and 16 points respectively, while Galassi added 12.
After losing first set too, also Argentina won their match over Germany with the score of 3-1 (21:25, 25:19, 25:21, 25:21), while Cuba down Iran with the same result, 3-1 (25:20, 14:25, 25:21, 25:21).

__________________

🏐| FIVB VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE 2024 | Saturday | May 25, 2024

| Pool 1 – Week 1 – Antalya 🇹🇷
• 14.00 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Canada 3-2 (22:25, 25:18, 25:18, 21:25, 15:10)
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – France 1-3 (27:25, 23:25, 16:25, 14:25)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – USA 3-1 (25:21, 25:20, 21:25, 25:21)

| Pool 2 – Week 1 – Rio De Janeiro 🇧🇷
• 14.00 (Local Time) | Japan – Italy 1-3 (25:23, 16:25, 17:25, 17:25)
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Argentina – Germany 3-1 (21:25, 25:19, 25:21, 25:21)
• 21.00 (Local Time) | Cuba – Iran 3-1 (25:20, 14:25, 25:21, 25:21)

__________________

🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Poland 9
2. Italy 9
3. France 9
4. Japan 8
5. Cuba 7
6. Slovenia 7
7. Canada 7
8. Brazil 5
9. Argentina 4
10. The Netherlands 3
11. Serbia 3
12. Bulgaria 3
13. Türkiye 1
14. Germany 0
15. Iran 0
16. USA 0

__________________

🏐| NEXT GAMES | Sunday | May 26, 2024

| Pool 1 – Week 1 – Antalya 🇹🇷
• 14.00 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Poland
• 17.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – USA
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – The Netherlands

| Pool 2 – Week 1 – Rio De Janeiro 🇧🇷
• 10.00 (Local Time) | Brazil – Italy
• 17.30 (Local Time) | Serbia – Germany
• 21.00 (Local Time) | Iran – Argentina

__________________

👀|QUICK LINKS
• All International news 🗞️
• VNL 2024: ALL NEWS
• VNL 2024: CALENDAR
• Multimedia
• Facebook
• Instagram

__________________