Men’s VNL Power Rankings: Final 8

After 96 matches, the Men’s VNL competition produced a lot of nail-biting thrillers and compelling drama. And now, only eight competitors remain. We look at the power rankings of the eight teams and the quarterfinal matchups happening at Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland from July 19 to 23.

This year’s eight finalists are hosts Poland, United States, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Slovenia and defending champions France. There are three teams that have made it to all five editions of the VNL, namely Brazil, France and Poland.

The United States have reached the final round four times, while Japan, Italy and Slovenia have two final round appearances each. Argentina will be the only team making their debut in the Finals.

United States battle defending champions France for first semifinal berth

#1 United States vs #8 France – July 19 at 15:00 UTC | 17:00 local time
Winner will play Italy or Argentina in the SF

The United States finished on top of the standings, overtaking Japan’s spot after a straight-set win over Bulgaria to close the preliminary round with 10 wins, while France saved the last ticket with a closing win against Germany.

The United States will be making their fourth appearance in the Finals and will be looking to win their very first VNL title, after earning a bronze in 2018, and silver medals in 2019 and 2022.

France have made consistent Finals appearances in the VNL and will be looking to replicate their feat last year of winning the title after a second-place finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2021.

USA and France recently played each other on July 8 in Anaheim. The home team beat the defending champions 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 27-25). They will open the quarterfinal round on July 19 at 17:00 local time (15:00 UTC).

World champions Italy go up against Olympic bronze medallists Argentina

#4 Italy vs #5 Argentina – July 19 at 18:00 UTC | 20:00 local time
Winner will play United States or France in the SF

Reigning world champions Italy hope to improve on their fourth-place finish last year at the VNL and will face first-time VNL finalists and Tokyo 2020 bronze medal winners Argentina.

Italy have participated in all editions of the VNL, but only made it to the final round in 2022, before claiming the World Championship title. Argentina have also participated in all editions, but only managed to reach the finals this year.

Italy and Argentina have identical win records and points – nine victories and 26 points over three weeks of action.

These two squads met last June 6 in Ottawa, where the South Americans beat the Europeans 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-18). Their quarterfinal matchup is scheduled on July 19 at 20:00 (18:00 UTC).

Fan favourites Japan and Slovenia look to reach podium for first time

#2 Japan vs #7 Slovenia – July 20 at 15:00 UTC | 17:00 local time
Winner will play Poland or Brazil in SF

Japan and Slovenia hope to make their fans happy as they try to clash for the spot in the semifinals and eventually win their first VNL medal.

Japan made an impressive 10-start in the 2023 VNL to land in second place in the standings after the preliminary round. Japan have now accomplished back-to-back VNL Finals appearances but hope to land on the podium after finishing fifth last year.

Slovenia had a two-match win advantage over France to finish seventh in the preliminaries. They collected eight victories in 12 matches. They came so close to making it to the podium, finishing fourth in 2021.

These two fan favourites did not meet at the VNL 2023 preliminary round. Their quarterfinal encounter is scheduled on July 20 at 17:00 (15:00 UTC).

Poland rekindle long rivalry with Brazil in Gdansk

#3 Poland vs #6 Brazil – July 20 at 18:00 UTC | 20:00 local time
Winner will play Japan or Slovenia in the SF

Poland and Brazil have encountered in various knockout stages of the world’s biggest tournaments. At the VNL 2023, they will rekindle that rivalry in Gdansk. Both squads have reached the Finals of all VNL editions.

Poland have made it to the podium of the VNL in the last three editions. First was in 2019, when they won bronze, then finished as runners-up to Brazil in 2021. Finally, they bagged another bronze last year. This year, they placed third in the standings with 10 wins.

After two fourth place finishes in the first two editions, Brazil bounced back to win the title in 2021 against Poland. Brazil and Slovenia also have the same win and points record, but the South Americans edged the Europeans in set victories.

Their last encounter was a four-set match that went in favour of Poland 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-21) in Pasay City on July 7. Their quarterfinal clash is scheduled on July 20 at 20:00 (18:00 UTC).

The semifinals will take place on July 22 at 17:00 (15:00 UTC) and 20:00 (18:00UTC). The medal matches will be on July 23 with the bronze medal match at 17:00 (15:00 UTC) and the gold medal match at 20:00 (18:00 UTC).

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