EuroVolleyW - Pool B Preview: Parity should make of every match one to watch

Reuniting three teams that competed in the semifinals of the 2021 CEV European Golden League and two that appeared in this year’s Volleyball Nations League, the Pool B of the CEV EuroVolley 2021 Women is expected to have a lot of parity and, in that context, every single match will matter.

European Golden League winners Bulgaria will have the benefit of playing at their home court in Plovdiv and will be looking for a third medal as hosts, repeating what they did in 1981 (gold) and 2001 (bronze). With a full line-up that features players like team captain Elitsa Vasileva, star libero and Golden League’s Most Valuable Player Zhana Todorova and setter Petya Barakova, it might be hard to bet against the Bulgarians.

Two-time European champions Poland have, in theory, the strongest roster in the pool and will rightfully aim for a second-straight semifinal appearance, but their journey at the EuroVolley should be considerably more difficult this time around without star setter Joanna Wolosz and towering middle blocker Agnieszka Kakolewska, who will both miss the tournament due to injury. In order to succeed, the Polish will depend more than ever on the offensive production of opposite Malwina Smarzek and the consistency of outside hitter Natalia Medrzyk.

Germany finished sixth in the 2019 EuroVolley and seems to be in position to challenge both Bulgaria and Poland for the top spots in the pool, especially after the return of star opposite Louisa Lippmann to the squad. Like the Polish, they competed in all three editions of the Volleyball Nations League and had some young players stand out against international opposition a couple of months ago, most notably 22-year-old outside hitter Hannah Ortmann (183 points) and 21-year-old middle blocker Camilla Weitzel (27 blocks), who also registered 21 aces each. If they can consistently deliver performances at this level, the Germans should be at the same tier of Bulgarians and Polish.

Returning to the EuroVolley after not qualifying for the event in 2019, the Czech Republic will feature a physical team on the court in which stand out outside hitter and team captain Andrea Kossanyiova (28) and middle blocker Veronika Trnkova (25), who was the best hitter of the 2021 Golden League. Returning to the podium for the first time since 1997, when they took bronze, might be a tough ask, but finishing better than eighth and improving their eight most recent performances is certainly an attainable goal.

To do that, the Czechs will probably have to get revenge for their 3-2 setback to Spain in the Golden League bronze medal match back in June when the teams meet in the opening day, August 19. Star 23-year-old outside hitter Ana Escamilla, the top scorer of the Golden League, and 18-year-old Raquel Montoro, the best server of the tournament, will both play a pivotal role in the team’s success in the EuroVolley and if they do well, the Spanish should have every right to dream about an appearance in the elimination round.

Greece is the team with the fewest amount of experience and success in the EuroVolley. Set to make just their sixth appearance among the top teams of the continent, the Greek are still in the early stages of a process that will hopefully take them to the elite of international volleyball. They might have a difficult task in such a balanced pool, but should bring some intriguing talent to the event, especially in the form of Martha Anthouli, a 17-year-old, 2.02m tall opposite.

This is a strong candidate for being the most unpredictable play of the entire tournament with at least five teams playing at a similar level, which should make each of the 15 matches very entertaining to watch.