FIVB Challenger Cup: Belgium knocks out Sweden with sweep

Belgium celebrates a point against Sweden in 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 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 factors to their strong start in the qualifier for next year’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL), hoping to sustain their momentum in the semis against Puerto Rico, which swept Kenya earlier.

“It was important for us to win the serve receive that was a big part of the game today, which I think we dominated the whole game. It was an organized block defense. We kept their main spikers under control and played our game and tried not to make mistakes,” the opposite spiker said. 

“We haven’t scouted them (Puerto Rico) yet. I know they’re a pretty different team from last year. They are more like a defensive team so it’s going to be really hard to score against them so we’re gonna see and analyze their team and take it as a new game and opportunity,” she added.

READ: FIVB Challenger Cup: Puerto Rico ousts Kenya to advance to semis

Martin is also looking forward to a bigger crowd over the weekend which she had experienced in the VNL at Smart Araneta Coliseum two years ago and saw in the men’s tournament Week 3 two weeks ago. 

“The gym is 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 lot of fans. But so far it’s so good, everyone’s so nice to us,” Martin said.

“I was here two years ago when we played in Manila. It was a different experience so I wouldn’t really compare it but it’s really good, there’s a lot of fans and it was a pretty amazing gym and  it’s incredible to see how people in 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.