Ukraine and Turkey Reach Volleyball Nations League Knockout Stage for First Time
For the first time, the men's volleyball teams of Ukraine and Turkey have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Nations League. The finals will be held in Ningbo, China.
In this year's Volleyball Nations League, Ukraine and Turkey have made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. The preliminary round, spanning three weeks and held in nine different cities, concluded with the top eight teams being determined. Ukraine, playing only their second season in the Nations League, started the tournament with a loss to Japan but followed with victories over China, Cuba, Brazil, Italy, Canada, Iran, and Germany, while losing to Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Turkey. With a 7-5 record and 23 points, they finished 7th.
Turkey, with 5 wins and 7 losses, accumulated 28 points to take 6th place. The Turks began with losses to the USA and Italy, then defeated France, Canada, China, Belgium, Argentina, Serbia, Ukraine, and Iran, falling only to Poland and Slovenia.
The quarterfinals, to be held in Ningbo, China, on July 29 will feature China vs. Japan and Slovenia vs. Turkey, while on July 30 Italy will face the USA and Poland will meet Ukraine. Over the past four years, France and Poland have each won the men's Nations League twice.
China, as the host, was guaranteed a spot in the finals despite finishing last in the preliminary round. Notably, Bulgaria and Brazil, despite having the same 7-5 win-loss record as Ukraine, finished 8th and 9th respectively due to point differences, missing the knockout stage.
