Europeans Abroad: MVP Venno leads Al Rayyan to regional title

European volleyball players are spread all over the world during the 2023-2024 club season, playing big roles in their teams. Many of them are currently away from the continent, competing in some of the top leagues on the planet, and we’ll help you follow their journeys by providing periodic updates on how they’re doing.

Qatar

With four European players in the squad, Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC successfully defended its West Asian Men’s Club Championship title this weekend, winning the tournament held in Oman, which counted on ten clubs from seven countries in the region.

Coached by North Macedonia’s Zharko Ristoski, the team of Estonian opposite Oliver Venno and Serbians Miloš Stevanović (setter), Nikola Vasić (outside hitter) and Edin Musabegović (middle blocker) topped Kuwait’s Al-Kuwait in straight sets in the final.

Currently in his fourth season in Qatar and his second with Al Rayyan, the 33-year-old Venno was awarded as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

USA

Bulgarian middle blocker Hristina Vuchkova had a promising first week in the American Pro Volleyball Federation League, winning her first three matches with the Omaha Supernovas while contributing 32 points in those encounters.

Vuchkova debuted with the Supernovas on Monday, producing 12 points (eight kills, three blocks and one ace) in a four-set road victory against the Grand Rapids Rise. On Thursday, Omaha played on the road again, securing another 3-1 victory, this time against the Vegas Thrill, with 14 points (nine kills, five blocks) from the Bulgarian.

On Sunday, Vuchkova and her new team returned home to battle the Orlando Valkyries and won again in four sets – this time the Bulgarian was limited to six points, with five kills and one block.

Brazil

Russian outside hitter Sofya Kuznetsova helped her team Dentil Praia Clube qualify for this year’s FIVB Women’s Club World Championships with a second-place finish at the Women’s Club South American Championship.

Praia, who were the defending champions, fell to fellow Brazilians Gerdau Minas in a dramatic five-set match in the final of the tournament held in Bauru, Brazil. Kuznetsova scored 13 points in the gold medal match and was Praia’s second-best scorer in the encounter.