Belgium celebrates some extent against Sweden within the n the FIVB Challenger Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — Belgium unleashed a balanced attack to knock Sweden out of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-22 win Thursday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Belgium, which missed stars Britt Herbots and Silke Van Avermaet, overcame the European Golden League champions with Manon Stragier leading the best way with 17 points off 13 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
Britt Fransen also stepped up for Belgium with 12 points including five big blocks, while Pauline Martin was also instrumental with 11 points to forge a knockout semifinal against Puerto Rico on Saturday.
SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas women at FIVB Challenger Cup 2024
Martin believes that their service-receive and net defense were the aspects to their strong start within the qualifier for next 12 months’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL), hoping to sustain their momentum within the semis against Puerto Rico, which swept Kenya earlier.
“It was vital for us to win the serve receive that was a giant a part of the sport today, which I believe we dominated the entire game. It was an organized block defense. We kept their fundamental spikers under control and played our game and tried to not make mistakes,” the alternative spiker said.
“We haven’t scouted them (Puerto Rico) yet. I do know they’re a fairly different team from last 12 months. They’re more like a defensive team so it’s going to be really hard to attain against them so we’re gonna see and analyze their team and take it as a brand new game and opportunity,” she added.
READ: FIVB Challenger Cup: Puerto Rico ousts Kenya to advance to semis
Martin can also be looking forward to an even bigger crowd over the weekend which she had experienced within the VNL at Smart Araneta Coliseum two years ago and saw in the lads’s tournament Week 3 two weeks ago.
“The gym is just not full today. I hope it’s gonna be full on the weekend because I’ve seen the VNL men and it was quite impressive so I’m really looking forward to and hoping to see a whole lot of fans. But up to now it’s so good, everyone’s so nice to us,” Martin said.
“I used to be here two years ago once we played in Manila. It was a distinct experience so I wouldn’t really compare it but it surely’s really good, there’s a whole lot of fans and it was a fairly amazing gym and it’s incredible to see how people within the Philippines love volleyball, it’s really obvious and it’s amazing.”
Sweden was sent packing with Anna Haak and Alexandra Lazic carrying the cudgels with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
