Sensational victory for Czechia over host China, a successful start for Olympic champion Italy, and dramatic five-set battles marked the first competitive day of the Women's Volleyball Nations League. A total of nine matches were played across the three tournaments of the first week – in Nanjing, Quebec, and Brazil – with all 18 teams opening their participation in the competition.
The biggest surprise came in Nanjing, where Czechia achieved an impressive 3:0 (25:20, 25:20, 26:24) victory over host China. The European team showed mature play and did not allow the Chinese women to use the support of their home crowd, recording a prestigious win.
In the same tournament, Poland started with a difficult 3:2 (25:20, 22:25, 25:23, 18:25, 15:13) victory over Belgium, while Serbia triumphed over Thailand with a 3:0 (26:24, 25:22, 25:19) win.
The Bulgarian national team opened its participation against Olympic champion Italy and lost 0:3 (22:25, 16:25, 25:27). Marcello Abbondanza's volleyball players put up serious resistance in the first and especially in the third set, when they were just a few points away from extending the match. In the decisive moments, however, the class and experience of the Italians tipped the scales in their favor, despite the absence of some key players.
In Brazil, the host started with a 3:1 (25:17, 25:15, 25:27, 25:23) victory over the Netherlands, while Turkey had to go through a five-set battle against the Dominican Republic for a final 3:2 (17:25, 25:20, 25:16, 23:25, 15:11) win. The success of the Turkish women deserves attention, as the team participates in the first week without part of its regular squad and relies on a significantly rejuvenated group of players.
In Quebec, the USA demonstrated significant power in their 3:0 (25:16, 25:17, 25:23) victory over Ukraine, Japan turned around to beat France 3:1 (23:25, 25:12, 25:22, 25:13), and Germany dealt with host Canada after a 3:1 (28:26, 22:25, 25:18, 25:18) win.
Results from the first day
| City | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nanjing | Belgium - Poland | 2:3 (20:25, 25:22, 23:25, 25:18, 13:15) |
| Nanjing | Thailand - Serbia | 0:3 (24:26, 22:25, 19:25) |
| Nanjing | China - Czechia | 0:3 (20:25, 20:25, 24:26) |
| Quebec City | Ukraine - USA | 0:3(16:25,17:25,23:25) |
| Quebec City | France - Japan | 1:3(25:23,12:25,22:25,13:25) |
| Quebec City | Canada - Germany | 1:3(26:28,25:22,18:25,18:25) |
| Brazil | Dominican Republic - Turkey | 2:3(25:17,20:25,16:25,25:23,11:15) |
| Brazil | Italy - Bulgaria | 3:0(25:22,25:16,27:25) |
| Brazil | Brazil - Netherlands | 3:1(25:17,25:15,25:27,25:23) |
Standings after the first day
| No. | Team | M | W | L | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:0 | 3 |
| 2 | Italy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:0 | 3 |
| 3 | Czech Republic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:0 | 3 |
| 4 | Serbia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:0 | 3 |
| 5 | Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:1 | 3 |
| 6 | Brazil | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:1 | 3 |
| 7 | Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:1 | 3 |
| 8 | Turkey | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:2 | 2 |
| 9 | Poland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3:2 | 2 |
| 10 | Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2:3 | 1 |
| 11 | Dominican Republic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2:3 | 1 |
| 12 | Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1:3 | 0 |
| 13 | Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1:3 | 0 |
| 14 | France | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1:3 | 0 |
| 15 | Thailand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0:3 | 0 |
| 16 | China | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0:3 | 0 |
| 17 | Bulgaria | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0:3 | 0 |
| 18 | Ukraine | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0:3 | 0 |
The standings are still provisional after only one match played, but the USA's leading position is indicative of the convincing start by the Americans. Czech Republic became the pleasant surprise of the first day, while Bulgaria will seek its first points in its next appearance on the court.
What's coming up today
| City | Match |
|---|---|
| Nanjing (China) | Czech Republic - Poland |
| Nanjing (China) | China - Thailand |
| Brasilia (Brazil) | Turkey - Netherlands |
| Quebec City (Canada) | Ukraine - Germany |
| Brasilia (Brazil) | Brazil - Dominican Republic |
| Quebec City (Canada) | Canada - USA |
The second competition day offers several intriguing matches. In Nanjing, Czech Republic will try to solidify the impressions from their victory over China against the strong team of Poland, and the hosts will seek a mandatory success against Thailand.
In Brazil, Turkey faces the Netherlands in a new serious test for its rejuvenated squad, while host Brazil will meet the Dominican Republic.
In Quebec, Germany will pursue a second consecutive victory against Ukraine, and the USA will face host Canada.
For Bulgaria, it's a rest day, which will give Marcelo Abbondanza and his staff the opportunity to analyze their performance against Italy before the next challenge in the tournament.
Even after the first day, the Nations League showed why it is the most competitive national tournament in world volleyball. The big sensation from the Czech Republic, the stable start of the favorites, and the dramatic five-set clashes promise an extremely competitive battle for places in the final eight.
