VNL 2024: Slovenia remain undefeated! Bulgaria, Poland, Italy, France and USA ok
2 min read
Slovenia continues their undefeated path in 2024 Volleyball Nations League, defeating Brazil 2-3 (25:27, 25:23, 24:26, 25:21, 12:15) in Fukuoka, Japan in what was the first time they have beaten the three-time Olympic champions in an official match, thus solidifying their ranking and bolstering their chances for the Olympic Games. This victory is their sixth victory in as many games in this edition of VNL.
Slovenia started strong, quickly gaining a 16-12 lead, but the rivals managed to recover and briefly take the lead. However, Slovenia’s resilience made the difference as they secured the first set with a crucial point from Klemen Čebulj. The second set saw a close battle, ending in Brazil’s favor, but Slovenia’s steady performance prevailed in the third set, finishing with a block by Čebulj, again.
The fourth set was a tough fight, with Brazil evening the score to 2-2. Despite Brazil’s advantage, at least on paper, Slovenia keep their concentration and dominated the decisive fifth set, clinching their sixth VNL 2024 victory.
Tonček Štern led the team with 29 points, well supported by captain Tine Urnaut who added 19. Adriano Xavier was Brazil’s top scorer with 21 points.
On the same Pool, Bulgaria also won their game against Iran at tie break, 3-2 (20:25, 25:22, 25:23, 20:25, 15:11), while Poland literally destroyed hosts Japan with a clear 0-3 (17:25, 15:25, 20:25).
In Ottawa, Canada, Italy needed four sets to down Cuba, 1-3 (21:25, 25:22, 19:25, 13:25), like France over The Netherlands, 3-1 (25:20, 20:25, 25:19, 25:22), and USA against Serbia, also 3-1 (23:25, 25:15, 25:23, 25:14).
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🏐| FIVB VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE 2024 | Friday | June 7, 2024
| Pool 3 – Week 2 – Fukuoka 🇯🇵
• 12.00 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – Iran 3-2 (20:25, 25:22, 25:23, 20:25, 15:11)
• 15.30 (Local Time) | Brazil – Slovenia 2-3 (25:27, 25:23, 24:26, 25:21, 12:15)
• 19.20 (Local Time) | Japan – Poland 0-3 (17:25, 15:25, 20:25)
| Pool 4 – Week 2 – Ottawa 🇨🇦
• 11.00 (Local Time) | Cuba – Italy 1-3 (21:25, 25:22, 19:25, 13:25)
• 16.30 (Local Time) | France – The Netherlands 3-1 (25:20, 20:25, 25:19, 25:22)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | USA – Serbia 3-1 (23:25, 25:15, 25:23, 25:14)
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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Poland 18
2. Italy 18
3. Slovenia 15
4. France 14
5. Japan 13
6. Brazil 13
7. Canada 10
8. Cuba 10
9. Argentina 9
10. The Netherlands 9
11. USA 9
12. Germany 7
13. Serbia 6
14. Bulgaria 5
15. Iran 2
16. Türkiye 1
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🏐| NEXT GAMES | Saturday | June 8, 2024
| Pool 3 – Week 2 – Fukuoka 🇯🇵
• 12.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – Iran
• 15.30 (Local Time) | Poland – Brazil
• 19.20 (Local Time) | Japan – Slovenia
| Pool 4 – Week 2 – Ottawa 🇨🇦
• 11.00 (Local Time) | Cuba – France
• 16.30 (Local Time) | Canada – USA
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Serbia – Argentina
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