For the first time, Czech women’s volleyball players qualified for the League of Nations. Eighteen national teams qualified for the elite competition next season thanks to a 3:1 victory over Puerto Rico in the finals of the Challenger Cup in the Philippines. Before that, they dealt with Argentina and also Vietnam in Manila.
The Czech Republic won the Challenger Cup at the third attempt. Five years ago in Peru, they lost to Canada in the final 2:3, in 2022 they were eliminated in the quarter-finals with Belgium. Today in the Philippines, they took the last step: they defeated Puerto Rico in sets 25:23, 25:20, 18:25 and 25:18. The Czech team managed the key dramatic ending of the first set and then stopped the development of the third set, which did not go according to their expectations.
After winning silver in the Ostrava European League final, the Czech volleyball players won three matches in three days in the Philippines. They had the upper hand in all of them and for a long time today against Puerto Rico. From their lead of 18:12, the opponent managed a six-point streak, which was helped by only fourteen-year-old all-rounder Decelise Championová. Coach Jannis Atanasopulos also tried to stop the onslaught of the Puerto Ricans for a while by making substitutions. In the end, the Czechs managed the end brilliantly, attacking Gabriela Orvošová ended the set.
Even after the change of sides, the Czech team did well and did not allow any complications. But then the opponents started to assert themselves through both poles, the Czechs did not succeed in timing and putting together a block well, and from the score of 11:11 they tried in vain to stop the onrushing opponents.
In the decisive set, the team was supported by the most experienced support Helena Havelková, who just spent the league season in Puerto Rico. She stopped the opponent’s best player Grace Lópezová twice with a block, moreover, she attacked reliably and Orvošová took charge of the end game. She finished the final game with 25 points. Captain and author of the last point Michaela Mlejnková scored eighteen times, Havelková scored 12 points.
Challenger Cup Women’s Volleyball, Qualification for the League of Nations in Manila:
Finals:
Czech Republic – Puerto Rico 3:1 (23, 20, -18, 18)
Referee: Luo Wensheng (China), Asai (Japan)
Composition and points Czech Republic: Valková 1, Havelková 12, Jehlářová 11, Orvošová 25, Mlejnková 18, Koulisiani 5, libero Dostálova/Digrinová – Kneiflová 2, Brancuská 1, Grabovská, Pavlová, Faltínová. Coach: Atanasopoulos.
Most points Puerto Rico: López 23, Santiago 18.
For 3rd place:
Vietnam – Belgium 3:1 (23, -23, 20,17),
Next ranking: 5. Kenya, 6. Sweden, 7. Philippines, 8. Argentina.
