Czechia has won the FIVB Women’s Challenger Cup, earning a spot in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025. In the final match held in Manila, Czechia defeated Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-18). Gabriela Orvosova, the 23-year-old opposite, led with 25 points, supported by a strong team blocking performance that saw Czechia achieve 16 kill blocks. Captain Michaela Mlejnkova added 18 points, and middle blocker Magdalena Jehlarova contributed 11 points.
In the bronze medal match, Vietnam celebrated a historic victory over Belgium, winning 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17). This marked Vietnam’s first-ever medal in a world-level competition and their first win against a European team. Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen was the standout player, scoring 35 points.
The expanded format for VNL 2025 will include the 16 national teams that competed in the VNL 2024, the Challenger Cup winner, and the highest-ranked team in the FIVB World Ranking that has not yet qualified.
