The final preliminary stage of the Volleyball Nations League 2025 descends upon Chiba, Japan, this week, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. Six national teams – top-ranked Brazil, hosts Japan, Argentina, Germany, Türkiye, and the United States – gather at the Chiba Port Arena, each with their eyes firmly fixed on securing a coveted berth in the Finals, set to take place in Ningbo, China, from July 30 to August 3. This week represents the last opportunity for these teams to earn the points needed to join the elite eight.
The competitive landscape in Chiba is diverse. Brazil, currently leading the league standings, appear to be in a comfortable position for qualification. However, the intense nature of VNL means nothing is mathematically certain until the final match concludes. Their campaign has been fueled by the impressive offensive output of opposite Alan Souza and the strategic setting of Fernando `Cachopa` Kreling, complemented by libero Maique Nascimento`s defensive solidity. An interesting development is the potential return of star outside hitter Ricardo Lucarelli, who could provide a significant boost to their already potent lineup.
“The atmosphere in our team has been really good,” Lucarelli commented. “Being the oldest player in the team now, it`s been great to see everyone working together. We`re happy with what we`ve done so far, but it`s not enough. This is going to be a tough week and we want to show our best game again.”
Hosts Japan, currently sitting within the qualification zone, will look to leverage home-court advantage and the energy of their passionate fans. They aim to build upon their strong performance, which saw them take silver in the previous edition. Opposite Kento Miyaura has been a key offensive player. The expected return of star outside hitters Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi adds considerable firepower and tactical options, arriving just in time for the crucial final push.
Head coach Laurent Tillie acknowledged the challenge: “I think this is the toughest pool of the VNL this year. Brazil are in a great spot to qualify, and there are four other teams here fighting to do the same, so it should be interesting.”
Argentina holds the precarious position of currently occupying the final qualification spot. Their success has been underpinned by strong defensive work from libero Jan Martínez, who leads the VNL in digs, and efficient setting from Matías Sánchez. The timely integration of Tokyo Olympic medalists Bruno Lima (opposite) and Santiago Danani (libero) provides valuable experience and proven capability. As Luciano Palonsky, an outside hitter, noted on their journey so far:
“It`s going to be a tough week, but we`re hoping for the best. I thought we could have won at least two more matches over the first two weeks, but we also won some tough ones, which took us to the place we are right now.”
Just outside the current top eight, Germany presents a significant challenge. They feature the league`s top scorer, opposite Filip John, who has been exceptionally productive. Libero Leonard Graven contributes strongly to their reception and defense. The potential return of veteran opposite Georg Grozer could further enhance their attacking options, making them a formidable opponent for any team in this pool. Setter Jan Zimmermann outlined the team`s objective:
“We`re looking at this week match by match. There are four teams with four victories right now, so it`s going to be hard for us to make it to the Finals. We believe we`d need three victories to qualify and we`ll try to get them.”
The United States squad, positioned lower in the standings, comprises a youthful roster gaining international experience. While qualification requires a strong performance and favorable results elsewhere, the team is focused on development and momentum. Outside hitter Cooper Robinson has been their leading scorer. Setter Micah Ma`a highlighted the team`s perspective on the preliminary phase:
“We have a young group this season and we`ve mixed lineups almost every match. And the good part is that everyone is excited. We`ve used each stop as a checkpoint to build some momentum throughout the summer, and hopefully, we can make it to the VNL Finals. It`s been fun to be a part of this group, and we`re excited to compete for a spot in the final eight.”
Making their second consecutive VNL appearance, Türkiye faces the dual objective of pursuing a slim chance at the Finals while primarily working to secure their place in the 2026 tournament. Outside hitter Efe Mandiraci has stood out offensively, supported by setter Murat Yenipazar. The arrival of opposite Adis Lagumdžija, returning for Week 3, is anticipated to inject new energy and attacking power. Lagumdžija expressed the team`s determination:
“It`s good to be back with the team… I hope we can change things now and level up our game. This is going to be the most difficult week in the VNL for us, but we`ll try to do our best. We know we can play really good volleyball, so now we need to learn how to compete at the highest level.”
Schedule Highlights
The action in Chiba commences on Wednesday with a compelling South American derby between Brazil and Argentina, a match that immediately underscores the high stakes. The week proceeds with multiple matches daily through Sunday, featuring crucial encounters such as Türkiye vs. USA, Germany vs. Japan, Argentina vs. Japan, Brazil vs. Japan, Türkiye vs. Brazil, and Germany vs. USA, before concluding with Türkiye vs. Argentina, Germany vs. Brazil, and USA vs. Japan on the final day.
Alongside Chiba, the final preliminary week also features matches in Gdańsk, Poland, and Ljubljana, Slovenia, where other teams will simultaneously be making their final pushes for Finals qualification or league survival. The results from all three venues will collectively determine the ultimate standings.
As the final whistle blows on Sunday, the VNL 2025 preliminary phase will conclude, and the roster of the final eight teams heading to China will be confirmed. For the teams competing in Chiba, this week transcends mere matches; it is a high-pressure examination of resilience, skill, and tactical execution, determining whether their VNL journey extends into the Finals or concludes here in Japan. The stakes are unequivocally high, promising intense and compelling volleyball action.
