Volleyball

Vietnamese athlete Hoàng Thị Kiều Trinh (No 11) tries to hit the ball during a match at the AVC Nations Cup last week in Hà Nội. Việt Nam will take part in the VTV Ferroli Cup from June 28 to July 5 in Vĩnh Phúc.

Thanh Hà

HÀ NỘI This year's VTV Ferroli Cup international women's volleyball tournament will feature strong contenders and a huge bonus for the winners, with Việt Nam hoping to beat last year's champions, Russia's Korabelka, and land at least a top two ranking.

For the first time, the long-held competition will take place in Vĩnh Phúc Province — about 60km north of Hà Nội — and will see eight teams competing in two pools from June 28 to July 5.

In Pool A, hosts Việt Nam will take on the Philippines, China's Sichuan Club and Australia, while Việt Nam's U21 team will go up against defending champions Korabelka, Chinese Taipei and Thailand's U21s in Pool B.

Việt Nam will play Australia in the opener.

The first stage will be in a round robin format. In the second round, the top teams will face off under a single elimination format. The two strongest teams will advance to the final match.

A total of US$32,000 will be handed out to the best teams and individuals in the tournament, with the winning team taking home $12,000.

The three runners-up will pocket $7,000, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively.

The Most Valuable Player and Miss Volleyball award winners will receive $500, while other individual title holders will earn $300 each.

If one of the two Vietnamese sides wins, the main sponsor of the tournament, Rapido, will present the whole team with gift vouchers worth VNĐ400 million (around $15,000).

The organising committee announces the VTV Ferroli Cup 2025 in Hà Nội. Photo courtesy of VTV

Last year, Korabelka beat Việt Nam 27-29, 15-25 and 15-25 to lift the trophy.

All matches will be live broadcast on VTV channels, website and apps.

"The participating teams this year are relatively even in quality. They will create a competitive and electrifying tournament," said Lê Trí Trường, Việt Nam Volleyball Federation general secretary.

"It is great that Korabelka come back to defend their title this year. Việt Nam can get revenge or not, depending on different factors. However, the Vietnamese team are relatively stable in terms of strength and technique. They have learnt from the loss and winning against the Russians is their specific goal."

Việt Nam are in good form after their third AVC Nations Cup last week in Hà Nội.

Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt made only one change in his 14-member line-up to play in the upcoming tournament.

Among the continental winners are MVP and Best Opposite Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền, captain and Best Outside Hitter Trần Thị Thanh Thúy, and Best Libero Trần Khánh Đang.

"After the Nations Cup ended, we only had about 10 days to prepare for the VTV Cup. We won't make many changes, only in the libero position, so our playing style will be mostly the same," said Kiệt, whose team won all six matches in the Nations Cup with only one set loss.

Warming up for SEA Games

The tournament is considered an important step for a team that have set their eyes on winning the SEA Games title for the first time in history.

The Nations Cup and VTV Cup are two of four international competitions considered as warm-ups and tests for Việt Nam prior to the main campaign of the year, which will take place in Thailand in December.

Việt Nam target the SEA Games gold medal at the next regional tournament in December. -- Photo courtesy of Vietcontent

"This year's VTV tournament is special, as Việt Nam's senior and junior teams take part in an international event together," said Trường.

"It is because we need players to sharpen their skills and prepare for the SEA Games. We will review their performance here and pick the best players for the region's largest sporting festival."

Kiệt said 20 players were working with him, but none of them have yet ensured their slot in the national team. He plans to keep adjusting his starting squad and tactics to find their best SEA Games plan.

"We have built a specific squad for each tournament. All players will have an opportunity to show their ability, so that we will find the most successful ones who will focus on the most important goal, which is the 33rd SEA Games," Kiệt said.

Two other events for the Vietnamese team after the Vĩnh Phúc competition are the SEA V.League in July on home soil and the FIVB World Championship in August in Thailand.

"In the next tournaments, we will strengthen our defence and the cohesion and understanding of the players, among a lot of other work to do," Kiệt said..

"The target of winning the SEA Games gold medal is heavy pressure on my team, the volleyball managers and the Việt Nam Volleyball Federation. However, the pressure will also be a motivation for us to try our best." VNS