TEXT Matt Fleming
PHOTOS Courtesy of FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League

Nothing beats watching some of the world’s most talented sports players up close and personal in a competition with high stakes. And that’s just what Macao Magazine experienced at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League (VNL) Macao 2019 tournament, held at the Macao Forum between May 28 and 30.

Four teams took part in the Macao pool of the tournament, with the action being fast-paced and dramatic over the three days. China was victorious in the team’s three games played against Belgium, Korea and Thailand. Korea also beat Belgium, Belgium defeated Thailand and, to square it up, Thailand triumphed over Korea.

The VNL sees its preliminaries and finals held in 20 cities around the world every year, with 12 ‘core’ teams and four ‘challengers’ taking part. The final will be held in Nanjing on 7 July. The USA won last year’s inaugural tournament, which replaced the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, with Turkey finishing second and China third.

Macao has now held 23 editions of the world-class international women’s volleyball competition since 1994. In the Macao pool last year, Serbia won all their games, with China, Poland and Thailand winning one each. See the drama on the Macao Forum court in these action-packed photos.