Defending champions Serbia triumph in preparation tournament

Just a few days away from starting the defense of the titles they won in the last two editions of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship, Serbia earned important victories before heading to Thailand and came out on top in a preparation tournament held in China, where they overcame three other national teams that are also set to compete at the 2025 World Championship.

The Serbians reunited with Canada and continental rivals the Netherlands and Bulgaria for a three-day tournament in Shenzen and finished first after producing victories over the three opponents between Saturday and Monday. Now all four teams head to Thailand, as the World Championship is going to be held from August 22 to September 7.

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The team coached by Zoran Terzić played Bulgaria in their first match in Shenzen, on Saturday, and counted on an impressive 25 points (23 kills, two aces) from team captain and star opposite Tijana Bošković to win 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 25-12). Outside hitter Aleksandra Milanova and middle blocker Hristina Vuchkova scored nine points each for Bulgaria.

On Sunday, with Bošković rested, outside hitter Aleksandra Uzelac stepped up and led the Europeans against Canada, producing 21 points (16 kills, three aces, two blocks) in their four-set (25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21) victory. Outside hitter Hilary Johnson scored 15 points (13 kills, one block, one ace) for the North Americans.

The Serbians met the Netherlands in what ended up being the tournament’s unofficial final on Sunday and saw Uzelac deliver 22 points (18 kills, two blocks, two aces) and Bošković add 16 (14 kills, two blocks) in their 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21) victory. Captain Nika Daalderop was the Dutch top scorer, with 13 points (ten kills, three blocks).

The Dutch ended up in second place after beating Canada in straight sets and Bulgaria in four. The Bulgarians won a five-set battle against the Canadians and ranked third.

Serbia will be in Pool H at the World Championship and are set to play Japan, Ukraine and Cameroon in the first round of the tournament. The Dutch are in Pool A, where they will have Thailand, Sweden and Egypt as opponents. Bulgaria and Canada are both in Pool E, alongside Türkiye and Spain.

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