VNL 2022 – Quarterfinals Preview

After 3 weeks of competition, 96 matches between 16 world’s top teams, the 2022 Volleyball Nations League preliminary round has finally ended, with 8 teams qualifying to the final round in Ankara, Turkey. In this article, we are going to have a preview on the quarterfinals which will be played on 13 July and 14 July.

Brazil vs Japan

Brazil did not face Japan in the preliminary round of VNL 2022. The last time they played against each other was in the group stage of Tokyo 2020, when Brazil won the game in straight sets.

In the preliminary round of VNL 2022, Brazil was ranked #2, only losing to Italy and USA. Meanwhile, Japan was ranked #5. Japan has won all the matches played in week 1 and week 2, but they have lost all four matches played in week 3. It is also worth noting that they are the only team to beat team USA in the preliminary round.

The match will be played on 13 July, 15:00 (UTC +03:00).

USA vs Serbia

USA have won Serbia in straight sets in the preliminary round of VNL 2022. In this competition, they have performed very well, losing only one match to Japan in the preliminary round and was ranked #1 in the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Serbia was ranked #6 and has won 8 matches in the preliminary round.

The match will be played on 13 July, 18:30 (UTC +03:00).

Italy vs China

Italy has only lost 2 matches in the preliminary round of VNL 2022, and was ranked #3 in the leaderboard. Among the two matches that Italy have lost, one of them is against their quarterfinal opponent China, when they lost the match 1-3.

Meanwhile, under a new coach and without their star player Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning, China have won 8 matches in the preliminary round of the competition and was ranked #4 in the leaderboard.

The match will be played on 14 July, 15:00 (UTC +03:00).

Türkiye vs Thailand

Host Türkiye did not play against Thailand in the preliminary round of VNL 2022. The last time two teams played against each other was in the preliminary round of 2021 VNL, when Türkiye won the match 3-1. The host has won 7 matches in the preliminary round and was ranked #7 in the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Thailand has won 5 matches in the preliminary round and was ranked #8 in the leaderboard. Their setter Pornpun Guedpard was leading in the leaderboard of Best Setters, having an average of 39.58 sets per match.

The match will be played on 14 July, 18:30 (UTC +03:00).

(Featured image source: Internet)

(Written by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)