Volleyball Nations League 2022
Violetta Wagganer
Volleyball Nations League 2022: Everything You Need to Know
If you are a fan of volleyball, you are in for a treat this year. The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2022 is coming soon, and it promises to be a thrilling and competitive tournament that showcases the best teams and players in the world. But what is the VNL, how does it work, who are the favorites, and how can you watch it? Here is everything you need to know about the VNL 2022.
What is the Volleyball Nations League?
The VNL is an annual international volleyball tournament that features 16 teams each for both men and women. It was launched in 2018 by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) as a replacement for the World Grand Prix (for women) and the World League (for men). The VNL aims to provide a more modern, innovative, and exciting format for volleyball fans around the world.
The history and format of the VNL
The first edition of the VNL was held in 2018, with Russia winning the men's title and USA winning the women's title. In 2019, Russia defended their men's crown, while USA lost to Brazil in the women's final. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the VNL was cancelled. In 2021, France won their first men's title, while Italy won their first women's title.
The format of the VNL consists of two phases: a preliminary round and a final round. In the preliminary round, each team plays 15 matches against different opponents over five weeks. The top six teams from each gender advance to the final round, where they are divided into two pools of three. The top two teams from each pool qualify for the semifinals, followed by the finals.
The benefits and challenges of the VNL
The VNL offers many benefits for both players and fans. For players, it provides an opportunity to compete against high-level opponents, gain valuable experience, and prepare for other major tournaments such as the Olympics and the World Championships. For fans, it offers a chance to watch exciting matches, discover new talents, and follow their favorite teams and players throughout the season.
However, the VNL also poses some challenges for both players and fans. For players, it can be physically and mentally demanding to play so many matches in a short period of time, especially with travel and time zone changes. For fans, it can be difficult to keep up with all the matches, especially if they are not broadcasted or streamed in their region.
Who are the teams and players to watch in the VNL 2022?
The VNL 2022 will feature some of the best teams and players in the world, with some returning champions, some strong contenders, and some emerging challengers. Here are some of the teams and players to watch in both competitions.
The women's competition
Italy: The reigning champions
Italy surprised many by winning their first VNL title in 2021, beating Brazil in a thrilling final. Led by star spiker Paola Egonu, who was named MVP of the tournament, Italy also boasts a balanced and experienced squad, with players like Miryam Sylla, Cristina Chirichella, and Monica De Gennaro. Italy will be eager to defend their title and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the women's volleyball scene.
Brazil: The runners-up and perennial contenders
Brazil came close to winning their first VNL title in 2021, but fell short in a five-set thriller against Italy. However, Brazil is still one of the most successful and consistent teams in the women's volleyball history, having won two Olympic gold medals, three World Championships, and 12 World Grand Prix titles. Brazil has a talented and versatile roster, with players like Tandara Caixeta, Gabi Guimaraes, Ana Beatriz Correa, and Macris Carneiro. Brazil will be hungry to bounce back from their loss and claim their first VNL title in 2022.
Serbia: The bronze medalists and European powerhouses
Serbia secured their second consecutive VNL bronze medal in 2021, beating Turkey in the third-place match. Serbia is also the reigning European champion and the Olympic silver medalist, making them one of the strongest teams in the continent and the world. Serbia has a formidable lineup, with players like Tijana Boskovic, Brankica Mihajlovic, Milena Rasic, and Maja Ognjenovic. Serbia will be aiming to improve their performance and challenge for the gold medal in 2022.
Turkey: The hosts and rising stars
Turkey finished fourth in the VNL 2021, losing to Serbia in the bronze medal match. However, Turkey showed great potential and promise throughout the tournament, beating some of the top teams like USA, Brazil, and Italy. Turkey will host the final round of the VNL 2022 in Ankara, giving them a home advantage and a chance to make history. Turkey has a young and dynamic team, with players like Ebrar Karakurt, Hande Baladin, Eda Erdem Dundar, and Cansu Ozbay. Turkey will be hoping to use their home crowd support and their momentum to reach the podium in 2022.
The men's competition
France: The historic winners
France achieved a historic feat by winning their first VNL title in 2021, beating USA in a dramatic final. France also became the first team to win both the VNL and the World League, the predecessor of the VNL. France has a talented and cohesive team, with players like Earvin Ngapeth, Jean Patry, Kevin Le Roux, and Benjamin Toniutti. France will be confident and motivated to defend their title and cement their status as one of the best teams in the world.
USA: The silver medalists and world leaders
USA finished second in the VNL 2021, losing to France in a nail-biting final. USA is still one of the most dominant and consistent teams in the men's volleyball scene, having won two Olympic gold medals, one World Championship, and two World League titles. USA has a deep and balanced squad, with players like Matt Anderson, Taylor Sander, Max Holt, and Micah Christenson. USA will be determined to redeem themselves and win their second VNL title in 2022.
Poland: The bronze medalists and defending world champions
Poland claimed their first VNL medal in 2021, beating Brazil in the third-place match. Poland is also the current world champion and the European silver medalist, making them one of the strongest teams in the world. Poland has a powerful and experienced team, with players like Wilfredo Leon, Bartosz Kurek, Mateusz Bieniek, and Fabian Drzyzga. Poland will be aiming to challenge for the gold medal and add another trophy to their collection in 2022.
Italy: The hosts and former Olympic champions
Italy finished fifth in the VNL 2021, missing out on the final round by a narrow margin. However, Italy is still one of the most decorated and respected teams in the men's volleyball history, having won three Olympic silver medals, three World Championships, and eight World League titles. Italy will host the final round of the VNL 2022 in Rome, giving them a home advantage and a chance to impress. Italy has a skilled and charismatic team, with players like Ivan Zaytsev, Osmany Juantorena, Simone Giannelli, and Roberto Russo. Italy will be hoping to use their home crowd support and their passion to reach the podium in 2022.
How to watch and follow the VNL 2022?
If you are interested in watching and following the VNL 2022, you have several options to do so. Here are some of the ways you can enjoy the VNL 2022.
The schedule and venues of the VNL 2022
The VNL 2022 will start on May 31 and end on July 3. The preliminary round will be held in various cities around the world, while the final round will be held in Ankara for women and Rome for men. Here is a table that shows the dates and venues of the VNL 2022.
| Week |
|---|
| Dates |
|---|
| Venues |
|---|
| 1 |
| May 31 - June 5 |
| TBD |
| 2 |
| June 7 - June 12 |
| TBD |
| 3 |
| June 14 - June 19 |
| TBD |
| 4 |
| June 21 - June 26 |
| TBD |
| 5 |
| June 28 - July 3 |
| TBD |
| Final Round (Women) |
| July 6 - July 10 |
| Ankara, Turkey |
| Final Round (Men) |
| July 13 - July 17 |
| Rome, Italy |
The official website and social media of the VNL 2022
The official website of the VNL 2022 is https://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl, where you can find the latest news, results, standings, statistics, photos, videos, and more about the tournament. You can also follow the official social media accounts of the VNL 2022 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, where you can get updates, highlights, interviews, and interact with other fans and players.
The broadcasters and streaming platforms of the VNL 2022
The VNL 2022 will be broadcasted and streamed by various media partners around the world, depending on your region and preference. Here is a list of some of the broadcasters and streaming platforms that will cover the VNL 2022.
- USA: NBC Sports Network, Peacock TV
- Canada: CBC Sports, FloVolleyball
- Brazil: Globo, SporTV
- Italy: RAI Sport, DAZN
- Turkey: TRT Spor, S Sport
- France: L'Equipe, Sport en France
- Poland: Polsat Sport, Ipla TV
- Russia: Match TV, Okko Sport
- China: CCTV, Tencent Sports
- Japan: Fuji TV, DAZN
- Korea: KBS N Sports, Naver Sports
- International: Volleyball TV (subscription required)
You can also check the full list of broadcasters and streaming platforms for the VNL 2022 on the official website.
Conclusion
The VNL 2022 is a must-watch event for any volleyball fan, as it features some of the best teams and players in the world competing for glory and pride. The VNL 2022 will offer exciting matches, high-quality volleyball, and plenty of drama and emotions. Whether you watch it live or online, you will not want to miss any moment of the VNL 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the prize money for the VNL 2022?
The prize money for the VNL 2022 is $1 million USD for each gender. The winners will receive $500,000 USD, the runners-up will receive $300,000 USD, and the third-place teams will receive $200,000 USD.
How many teams qualify for the Olympics from the VNL 2022?
The VNL 2022 does not serve as a qualification tournament for the Olympics. The teams that qualify for the Olympics are determined by other tournaments such as the Continental Qualifiers and the Intercontinental Qualifiers.
Who are the current world rankings for volleyball?
The current world rankings for volleyball are updated by the FIVB every month based on the results of various tournaments. As of June 2021, the top five teams for each gender are as follows:
- Women: China (1), USA (2), Brazil (3), Turkey (4), Serbia (5)
- Men: Brazil (1), Poland (2), USA (3), Russia (4), France (5)
Who are the best players in volleyball?
This is a subjective question that depends on personal preference and criteria. However, some of the players that are widely regarded as some of the best in volleyball are as follows:
- Women: Paola Egonu (Italy), Tandara Caixeta (Brazil), Tijana Boskovic (Serbia), Zhu Ting (China), Jordan Larson (USA)
- Men: Wilfredo Leon (Poland), Matt Anderson (USA), Ivan Zaytsev (Italy), Yuji Nishida (Japan), Wallace De Souza (Brazil)
How can I play volleyball?
If you want to play volleyball, you need to find a suitable court, a net, a ball, and some teammates and opponents. You can join a local club, a school team, or a recreational league to play volleyball regularly. You can also learn the basic skills, rules, and strategies of volleyball by watching online tutorials, reading books, or taking lessons from a coach. Volleyball is a fun and healthy sport that can improve your physical and mental well-being.