Crucial Week: Paris 2024 Olympic Spots on the Line in Ljubljana

The final phase of the race to qualify for Paris 2024 is set to unfold in Ljubljana from Tuesday to Sunday. The Slovenian capital will host five of the six men's national teams still vying for four coveted Olympic slots in the intense last week of the Volleyball Nations League 2024 Preliminary Phase.

Italy Virtually Secured but Still Fighting

Italy, the reigning world champions, with 369.30 FIVB World Ranking points and sitting comfortably atop the VNL standings, are on the brink of qualification. However, Simone Giannelli and Alessandro Michieletto must wait a few more days for their participation in Paris to be officially confirmed. They will face a challenging set of matches against Poland, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Türkiye at the Stožice Arena.

Slovenia's Historic Push for First Olympic Appearance

With 335.05 ranking points, Slovenia is determined to secure their first-ever Olympic spot. Running second in this heated race, Slovenia will compete against Argentina, Cuba, Italy, and Serbia, hoping to capitalize on their home advantage. Tonček Štern, the top scorer in VNL 2024, will be a key player to watch as he continues his impressive form.

Argentina’s Strategic Moves

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalists Argentina start the week with a 50-point cushion over the nearest competitor outside the qualification zone. They need strong performances against Slovenia, Türkiye, Poland, and Bulgaria. Argentina boasts the best setter (Luciano De Cecco), the best defender (Santiago Danani), and the best blocker (Nicolas Zerba) in the VNL stats.

Serbia vs. Cuba: A Decisive Clash

Separated by less than a point in the World Rankings, Serbia (251.55) and Cuba (250.64) are set for a crucial duel on Thursday that could significantly impact their Olympic aspirations. Serbia’s matches against Türkiye, Poland, and Slovenia, and Cuba’s fixtures against Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Poland will be pivotal.

"It's all about staying focused and playing our best volleyball," said Serbian captain.

Poland, Bulgaria, and Türkiye’s Roles

Already guaranteed a spot in the VNL Finals, Poland will play with the freedom of champions but still desire to dominate. Bulgaria and Türkiye, meanwhile, are out of the race for Paris but will participate to gain experience and possibly act as spoilers in the remaining matches.

This week in Ljubljana will determine which teams earn their places in both the VNL Finals in Łódź and the 2024 Paris Olympics, promising high stakes and thrilling volleyball action.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova