In a remarkable opening day at the 2023 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Club World Championship in Bengaluru, India, Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds achieved a stunning victory. The team outplayed Türkiye’s Halkbank Spor Kulübü in Pool B, setting a strong pace for a semifinal spot. Meanwhile, in Pool A, Brazil’s Itambé Minas defeated the Ahmedabad Defenders, the first Indian team in the tournament.
The Sunbirds, reigning Asian champions, faced Halkbank’s formidable lineup, including stars Earvin Ngapeth and Nimir Abdel-Aziz, but emerged victorious with a 3-0 win. Cuban player Alain Junior ‘AJ’ De Armas was pivotal in the Sunbirds’ success, scoring 15 points.
The day also saw Brazil’s Itambé Minas defeat Ahmedabad Defenders, making a strong case in Pool A. Michael Sanchez Bozhulev, a Cuban opposite in the Brazilian team, significantly contributed to Minas’ win. With the top teams from each pool advancing to the semifinals, the tournament promises intense competition ahead
Pool A
- Ahmedabad Defenders vs. Itambé Minas 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 19-25)
Pool B
- Halkbank Spor Kulübü vs. Suntory Sunbirds 0-3 (23-25, 23-25, 16-25)
