EuroVolleyW: Russia tries to make it three in a row against Belgium

Less than three months after starring in one of the best matches of the 2021 Volleyball Nations League, a thrilling five-setter in the second day of the tournament, Russia and Belgium are set to meet again, this time at the CEV EuroVolley Women 2021. The match between Russians and Belgians, in Belgrade, Serbia, is the earliest of the eight duels scheduled for Monday.

The recordist of continental titles with 19 (13 as Soviet Union) and one of the favorites to take gold this year, Russia has been living up to the expectations so far, winning their two first matches in the tournament against France and Azerbaijan with just one set dropped.

Head coach Sergio Busato might not have some of his most experienced hitters as Nataliya Goncharova, Irina Voronkova, Irina Koroleva and Irina Fetisova in the squad this time around, but 17-year-old Arina Fedorovtseva has stepped up her game and quickly became one of the faces of the tournament.

The Russian rising star has produced 39 points in two matches to lead the team’s scoring efforts in Belgrade. More impressively, she’s been on fire from the service line, leading the tournament with 13 aces – 11 of which against Azerbaijan on Sunday.

Belgium also have their scoring machine and she answers by the name of Britt Herbots. The top scorer of the Volleyball Nations League, the 21-year-old outside hitter hasn’t missed a beat in the EuroVolley and has tallied 40 points in her first two matches in the tournament.

Middle blocker Marlies Janssens and outside hitter Celine van Gestel have been offering some strong support to Herbots too, adding 21 and 20 points across the two matches respectively.

Belgium had a strong debut in the EuroVolley, downing Azerbaijan in three sets, but couldn’t handle defending champions Serbia and fell in straight sets. A victory against the Russians would put the Belgians back on track in Belgrade.