Matches to watch in Week 1

The elite of international volleyball is reunited in Rimini, Italy, where the 2021 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League is set to start on May 25.

Between that day and June 27, 16 of the best teams in the world in each gender will bring a lot of volleyball action to fans worldwide with as many as 248 matches – 124 for the men and the same amount for the women – set to take place in the third edition of the tournament.

All matches of the tournament will be live-streamed on Volleyball TV – sign up and don’t miss any of the action!

Each day of competition in the Preliminary Round will feature as many as eight matches and here are a few suggestions of ones to watch as international volleyball returns.

Who? China vs. Korea - Women

When? Tuesday, May 25, 14:00 GMT

Why? The opening day of the event will feature an Asian Derby and these matches have been long been known for their high pace and superior level of defensive skills. China are the reigning Olympic champions, won bronze in the first two editions of the VNL and currently sit at the top of the FIVB world rankings. Olympic champions Lin Li, Liu Xiaotong and Zhang Changning could bring some much-needed experience to a young Chinese roster. The Koreans, who rank tenth in the world and will try to secure their first top ten finish in the VNL, will look to star outside hitter and team captain Kim Yeon-Koung and veteran middle blocker Han Song-Yi.

Who? Serbia vs. Poland - Women

When? Wednesday, May 26, 14:00 GMT

Why? Serbia are the reigning world champions and the silver medallists of the Rio 2016 Olympics and enter any tournaments as automatic medal contenders, even if they have a team of young players in Rimini. Poland are a team on the rise having finished fifth at the VNL and fourth at the European Championships in 2019. Will Poland’s opposite Malwina Smarzek, the top scorer of both the 2018 and 2019 editions of the VNL, do as well again in 2021?

Who? Brazil vs. USA - Women

When? Thursday, May 27, 19:00 GMT

Why? The rematch of the 2019 VNL gold medal match between the North Americans, ranked second in the world, and the Brazilians, who are third, is an automatic pick. These teams have a long history of battling each other in the most important volleyball tournaments around the world and for some players, like Brazil’s Sheilla Castro and USA’s Jordan Larson, these battles go back to the London 2012 Olympics final. From outstanding setters in Macris Carneiro and Lauren Carlini to exceptional hitters in Tandara Caixeta and Annie Drews, these teams have all the pieces to contend in any tournament.