The crème de la crème back on the Swiss Riviera
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Montreux, Switzerland, March 16, 2016 – Volleyball fans around the world can look forward to an exciting Montreux Volley Masters when the competition takes place from May 31 to June 5. With six teams among the top 15 of the FIVB World Ranking, the most prestigious invitational tournament in volleyball promises six exhilarating competition days.
Reigning FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup champions China are among the favourites this year. Lang Ping’s side, however, will have to prove themselves against World Cup runners-up Serbia, 2015 Montreux Volley Masters winners Turkey, 2015 Asian Championship bronze medallists and Montreux Masters debutants Thailand, 2015 European Championship runners-up the Netherlands, and an up-and-coming squad from Belgium, who will all be chasing gold. Not to mention the Brazilian U23s, who were 2015 world champions in their category.
The Swiss, who are back at the tournament after a one-year absence, will field a young but talented side who will aim to acquire experience playing against some of the best teams in the world.
China, Turkey, Belgium and the Brazil U23s will play in Group A. Serbia, Thailand, the Netherlands and Switzerland are in Group B. The teams play a single round-robin qualification stage from Tuesday, May 31 to Friday, June 5, with three games on schedule daily (16.30, 18.45 and 21.15 CET).
In close cooperation with the FIVB, a new game format (with sets to 21 points) will be tested at the Montreux Volley Masters. An interactive LED net – the first ever net of its kind in Europe – and the Challenge System will also be in place for the tournament.
After setting up courtside LED panels and a giant screen last year, the Montreux Volley Masters is now focusing on a new entertainment and catering concept with a redesigned decor, street food and food trucks to be ready to welcome spectators from May 31 to June 5.
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VTV Binh Dien Cup women’s volleyball tournament to be held in Vietnam from March 19-27
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Bangkok, Thailand, March 16, 2016 – The VTV Binh Dien Cup International Women’s Volleyball Tournament will kick off its 10th edition campaign in Ninh Binh province of Vietnam between March 19 and 27, marking the first volleyball competition to be held in 2016 in Vietnam.
Five foreign teams have confirmed their participation in this event comprising Fujian Club (China), Jiangsu Juniors (China), Malaysia, Thailand Juniors and title-holders 4.25 Sports Club (DPR Korea). They will be pitted against the Vietnam’s top three teams consisting of Thongtinlienviet (Vietnam national champions), VTV Binh Dien (hosts and second ranked team), Vietinbank (third ranked team).
The nine-day competition is divided into two pools of four teams apiece. Pool A features Thailand Juniors, VTV Binh Dien, Jiangsu Juniors and Malaysia, with 4.25 Sports Club, Fujian, Thong tin LVPB and Vietinbank being drawn in Pool B. The eight teams will contest the pool round-robin preliminaries, with only top two teams competing in the cross semi-finals. The two winning teams will then set up the final showdown.
Thailand Juniors will take on Malaysia in their opening match on March 19 at 5pm local time, followed by the curtain-raisers between hosts VTV Binh Dien and Jiangsu Juniors at 8.30pm.
March 25 will be the rest day, while the awards presentation and the closing ceremony will take place on March 27. The champions will receive US$15,000, while the first and second runners-up take home US$10,000 and US$6,000.
Last year, 4.25 Sports Club of DPR Korea stamped their authority over the tournament by pulling off a dramatic 3-1 win over Lien VietPost Bank of Vietnam, while Astana Club of Kazakhstan finished third place.