EuroVolley 2023 DOL to take place in Naples on November 16!

The truly iconic Palazzo Reale in Naples will welcome a large share of Europe’s Volleyball family in mid-November when it plays host to the eagerly anticipated Drawing of Lots for the pool stage of CEV EuroVolley 2023. On November 16, 24 teams per gender will know their fate less than a year away from the major Volleyball party that will unfold across as many as seven host countries.

Italy, Bulgaria, Israel, and North Macedonia are due to co-host the final stage of CEV EuroVolley 2023 Men. The reigning World and European champions, Italy will enjoy the home-court advantage all the way from the pool stage up to the medal matches – should they reach the final stage of the competition. The ‘Azzurri’ will be chasing further glory following their sensational success last year in Katowice – replicated in early September when they beat hosts Poland in the final match of the Men’s World Championship at the very same venue. Bulgaria are a Volleyball powerhouse that recently co-hosted together with Italy the 2015 edition of Europe’s marquee event for men’s national teams. As for Israel and North Macedonia, with each hosting one of the four preliminary pools, these two nations will welcome an event of this magnitude for the first time in their history.

Belgium, Italy, Estonia, and Germany are the four countries due to deliver the women’s competition. EuroVolley Women returns to Belgium after this country hosted the 1987 edition – as well as matches of the 2007 and 2015 tournaments together with Luxembourg and the Netherlands, respectively. Italy are the reigning European champions – they ended Serbia’s rule last year in Belgrade – and superstar Paola Egonu & Co. will certainly be looking to competing on home soil up until the quarterfinals. Estonia are hoping to capitalise on the success of last year’s EuroVolley Men in Tallinn by hosting a women’s pool this time around – with Germany welcoming back a share of Europe’s Volleyball elite for the first time since 2013.

The Drawing of Lots will involve 24 teams per gender – who have secured their participation in EuroVolley 2023 by virtue of their status as host countries, the final standing of the 2021 edition or their performance in the EuroVolley qualifiers completed earlier this year. As with previous editions, the four host countries per gender have the right to choose one team among those qualified to join the pool that they will be hosting.

The CEV and the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) have agreed on choosing an iconic venue to deliver the DOL. Palazzo Reale di Napoli, i.e. the Royal Palace of Naples, is a palace, museum, and a very popular tourist attraction and destination in central Naples. It owes its name to the House of Bourbon, which used it as their residence while they ruled the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies up until 1861.