The 2023 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Club World Championship is set to begin this Wednesday in Bengaluru, India. With a line-up featuring teams from Brazil, Italy, Japan, Türkiye, and the host nation India, the championship promises an intense five-day competition.
The six participating teams have been divided into two pools. The Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru will host the opening matches, with each pool having one match on the first day.
Türkiye’s Halkbank Spor Kulübü and Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds will face off in the inaugural match, marking both teams’ first appearance in the tournament. Ngapeth, representing Halkbank Spor Kulübü, acknowledges the strength of their pool opponents and expresses confidence in overcoming the challenges to secure two victories.
Following this, India’s Ahmedabad Defenders will debut against Brazil’s Itambé Minas in Pool A. This appearance is historic for the Indian team, which earned its spot through its victory in the 2023 RuPay Prime Volleyball League. Itambé Minas, making a comeback, aims to improve upon their fourth-place finish in the previous year.
The tournament also features giants such as Brazil’s Sada Cruzeiro Vôlei, a four-time winner, and Italy’s Sir Sicoma Perugia, the defending champion. Both will start their matches on Thursday.
The pool play in Bengaluru will continue until Friday, leading to the elimination rounds with the top two teams from each pool. The championship will progress to the semifinals on Saturday, followed by the medal matches on Sunday, ensuring a riveting week of volleyball action.