Powerhouses Conegliano and Vero Volley Milano to face in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship's semi-finals
Review
The two European sides taking part in the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Hangzhou, China, have qualified for the semi-finals, and one of them will surely be in the final, as the reigning CEV Champions League Women title holders, A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano, will be facing Numia Vero Volley Milano in the penultimate act of the competition.
Conegliano extended their winning streak in all competitions to 21 matches, as they swept their opponents in emphatic fashion to secure the first place in Pool B, without even dropping a set, confirming their credentials as the team to beat in this edition of the competition, where they are aiming to clinch their third title at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.
There was no question about Conegliano’s push for the semi-finals, as they beat Brazilian side Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia (25:20; 25:15; 25:15), Vietnamese side LP Bank Ninh Binh (25:16; 25:8; 25:15) and Japanese side NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki (25:21; 25:20; 25:19).
Conegliano’s fantastic depth was their main asset, as they could rotate players, with the best overall scorer in the pool phase being Swedish ace Isabelle Haak, who had 28 points. Brazilian side Dentil Praia Clube Uberlandia was the second team to progress from the group, with two wins, dominating both NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki and LP Bank Ninh Binh.
In Pool A, hosts Tianjin Bohai Bank secured the first place, with three wins in three matches, including a clear 3:0 win over Numia Vero Volley Milano (25:21, 25:22, 25:23). Despite Paola Egonu having 22 points and Nika Daalderop adding 10 more points, the Italian side had to settle for the second place in the pool, after securing two wins in their next two matches.
The runners-up of last season’s CEV Champions League Women clinched a 3:0 win over Gerdau Minas (25:17; 25:22; 27:25) and a 3:0 win over Zamalek SC (25:9; 25:13; 25:18).
On Saturday, the two Italian side will collide once again, rekindling their rivalry, this time for a place in the final of the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship. Conegliano have won the last nine matches against Vero Volley Milano, dropping only nine sets over that span.
The other semi-final will see Tianjin face Dentil Praia Clube, with the title being awarded on Sunday, after the big final.