Key matches galore in Bangkok as VNL Preliminary Phase reaches its climax

The Volleyball Nations League 2023 will reach a critical point for the women this week, with the last matches of the Preliminary Phase taking place in Asia. On Sunday, the eight national teams that will compete in the VNL Finals will be known, as well as the side that will need to fight to return for the event in 2024.

The city of Bangkok will host matches involving hosts Thailand, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Türkiye in Pool 6 and several key encounters will take place between Tuesday and Sunday.

• Watch Volleyball Nations League 2023 live on VBTV

The two matches held on Tuesday will be critical ones. Two of the five Challenger teams, which need to avoid finishing the Preliminary Phase at the bottom of the standings to continue in the VNL, Canada and Croatia will collide at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC). The Canadians are tenth with three wins (ten points) and will not only get in the mix for a spot in the Finals with a victory, but also virtually eliminate any chances of dropping from the VNL. Croatia, who are 14^th with two wins (six points), are in a tough battle with Bulgaria (15^th, with one win, five points) to avoid finishing at the bottom and could also use a win.

Later, at 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC), Thailand and the Netherlands will face each other. Ranked 13^th and 12^th respectively with the same campaign of two wins and eight points, Asians and Europeans will need to be nearly perfect this week in Bangkok in order to make a final push for the Finals and starting on the right foot would be of great help.

On Wednesday, seventh-placed Japan (five wins, 16 points) and eighth-placed Italy (five wins, 12 points) will both try to upset higher-ranked teams in order to get one step closer to the Finals. The Asians will face third-placed Türkiye (six wins, 19 points) at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC), while the Europeans will meet fifth-placed Brazil (six wins, 18 points) at 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC).

Thursday will be the first ‘full day’ of action, with three matches taking place: Croatia vs. the Netherlands at 13:00 local time (06:00 UTC), Brazil vs. Canada at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC) and Thailand vs. Türkiye at 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC).

Volleyball Nations League 2023: full schedule and results

Friday could also decide the faith of some teams in the VNL as Canada won't likely remain alive if they can’t get past Italy at 13:00 local time (06:00 UTC), Japan will possibly be able to book their place in the Finals against the Netherlands at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC) and Brazil and Türkiye will fight for better placement ahead of the quarterfinals at 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC).

On Saturday, Italy will have a good chance of improving their chances of making it to the Finals when they face Canada at 13:00 local time (06:00 UTC) while the Asian Derby between Thailand and Japan at 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC) could easily determine the faith of both teams in the VNL 2023.

Sunday will also feature what could be a pair of pivotal matches in the duel between Finals contenders Japan and Italy at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC) and the encounter between Thailand and Brazil at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC).

Several key matches will be taking place in Suwon too, with hosts Korea, Bulgaria, China, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Poland, Serbia and the United States playing in Pool 5.

The VNL Preliminary Phase will feature three weeks of competition, with each of the 16 teams playing 12 matches. The eight best-ranked national teams in the Preliminary Phase will qualify for the Final Phase, which will be held in Arlington, the United States, from July 12-16 – host country USA are already guaranteed a spot.

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