Slovenia Storms Past Turkiye to Rise in VNL Rankings
Slovenia kicked off their second week in the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with an emphatic statement, routing Turkiye 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-18). The win boosts Slovenia to second place in the current standings, now holding a strong 4-1 record with 11 points—just behind undefeated Poland.
Led by opposite Toncek Stern with 14 points and two aces, Slovenia was dominant across the board, excluding blocks. Outside hitters Rok Mozic and rising 21-year-old Rok Bracko each added 12 points, with Bracko boasting a sharp 65% attack success rate.
Despite the absence of some key players, Slovenia’s chemistry and execution were near flawless. “We are happy to play the kind of volleyball we love,” Bracko shared, highlighting their coach-driven strategy. The team now gears up for a physically intense clash with Bulgaria.
Cuba Battles Fatigue, Beats Germany in Four Sets
After enduring travel delays and minimal rest, Cuba powered through to secure a 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-21) win over Germany. The Caribbean squad now sits in 10th place with a 2-3 record and 6 points, edging ahead of Germany in the standings.
Jose Gutierrez led the charge with 20 points, including a blazing match-ending ace. His 68% attack efficiency was key to Cuba’s turnaround. Fellow scorers Jose Masso, Javier Concepcion, and Marlon Yant all hit double digits.
“Despite being tired, we stayed positive and fought hard,” said Concepcion, praising the team’s resilience and looking ahead with optimism for better results this week.
France Fires on All Cylinders to Shut Down Ukraine
Defending champions France made quick work of Ukraine with a straight-set victory (25-23, 25-21, 25-17), marking a strong start to Week 2. This win propels France to sixth in the standings at 3-2 with 8 points.
Theo Faure topped the charts with 18 points, including four aces and two blocks, while Trevor Clevenot contributed 16 with consistent all-around play.
“We had to push hard in the first set, and from there our serve and block made the difference,” noted Antoine Pothron, who added 11 points.
Watch all matches live on VBTV.
- VNL M: Bulgaria Shocks Japan with Stunning 3-0 Victory at Home
- ITA W: Kami Miner Signs with Vero Volley Milano
- VNL M: Slovenia, Cuba, and France Shine in Week 2 Openers
- FRA M: Matias Sanchez Joins Montpellier
- POL M: Finnish Coach Tommi Tiilikainen Takes Helm at PGE Projekt Warszawa
