The Serbian women's national team begins the final VNL tournament in the Dutch city of Apeldoorn with the clear mission of escaping last place in the competition. After a disastrous start to the tournament with eight losses in eight matches, the Serbs are under threat of relegation from the most commercial and prestigious annual competition in the world of women's volleyball.

The world champions with their big stars back on the court

That's why the news that the big stars Tijana Bošković and Aleksandra Uzelac are returning to the squad brings hope to the fans. After missing the first two tournaments of this year's VNL, Bošković - considered one of the best opposites in the world, as well as the talented Uzelac, will lead the reigning world champions in the final battle for survival.

The mission: to avoid great humiliation

Serbia begins the crucial series of matches on July 9 against the Czech Republic, followed by matches against Italy (July 10), Belgium (July 11), and Turkey (July 13). At least two wins seem mandatory for the team to avoid the last position and potential relegation.

Expectations are that with Bošković and Uzelac on the court, Serbia's game will be transformed - both in attack and in confidence and aggression. All eyes will be on whether we will see the usual Serbian fighting spirit that brought the country the world title in 2022, or if we will witness a painful failure in the year after the Paris Olympics.

Here is the full Serbian squad for the tournament in Apeldoorn:

• Setters:

  • Slađana Mirković (Slađana Mirković)

  • Rada Perović (Rada Perović)

  • Marija Miljević (Marija Miljević)

• Opposites:

  • Tijana BoškovićTijana Bošković)

  • Vanja Bukili Vanja Bukili )

• Libero:

  • Aleksandra Jegdi Aleksandra Jegdi )

  • Teodora Puši Teodora Puši )

• Middle blockers:

  • Maja Aleksi Maja Aleksi )

  • Hena Kurtagi Hena Kurtagi )

  • Minja Osmaji Minja Osmaji )

  • Masha Kirov (Maša Kirov)

• Outside Hitters:

  • Katarina Dangubic (Katarina Dangubić)

  • Bojana Milenkovic (Bojana Milenković)

  • Aleksandra Uzelac (Aleksandra Uzelac)

  • Vanja Ivanovic (Vanja Ivanović)

  • Branka Tica (Branka Tica)