Praia Clube, representing Brazil, has once again earned the fourth position at the 2024 Women’s Volleyball Club World Championship held in Hangzhou, China. On December 22, they faced Vero Vôlei from Milan for the bronze medal, enduring a tough match where they lost 3 sets to 0, with scores of 25/23, 25/16, and 25/13.
Despite their defeat, Praia Clube demonstrated potential at the start of the match, taking the lead early on, going up 8 to 3. Yet, Vero Vôlei quickly regrouped, gaining momentum and evening the scores at 20. It was the Italian team, spearheaded by the exceptional Paola Egonu, who managed to clinch the first set 25-23. From the second set onward, Vero Vôlei showcased dominance, bolstered by solid blocking strategies to contain Praia's top performer, Sofya Kuznetsova.
The second set saw Vero Vôlei establishing control with key performances from Egonu, who went on to score 22 points overall. The Brazilian side managed to come close, with the score reaching 12-13, but Vero Vôlei surged forward to win the set 25-16.
By the third set, Praia Clube was unable to recover, falling behind immediately by 4-0. Vero Vôlei maintained their attacking prowess, eventually widening the gap to 12-3 and finishing the set decisively at 25-13. This loss marks the third time Praia Clube has competed for third place at the Club World Championships, echoing their 2018 and 2023 performances.
Meanwhile, the championship title itself was claimed by the Italian team Conegliano, who maintained their unbeaten streak by defeating Tianjin Bohai Bank, also securing their third world title. Gabi Guimarães, who was instrumental for Conegliano, played excellently, helping her team to victory with set scores of 25/21, 25/15, and 25/20.
This tournament not only highlighted the prowess of the top international teams but also the growth of club volleyball on the global stage. Praia Clube will now shift their focus back to the national league, where they hope to improve their standings, with their next match scheduled against Mackenzie on January 7, 2024, in Belo Horizonte.
These performances at the World Championship have raised expectations and inspired Brazilian volleyball fans, reaffirming their teams' resilience and competitiveness on the world stage.
