VTV Cup: Thanh Thuy, Bich Tuyen face Russian volleyball players

Russian girls return to Vietnam

At VTV Cup 2024, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team met Korabelka Club in the final. It was a match in which the home team lost 3 sets quickly when the opponent showed superiority in all aspects.

This year, Korabelka Club continues to participate in the tournament, with the reinforcement of Russian volleyball team setter Irina Filishtinskaya. The 35-year-old star was called up to the national team in 2017, participating in the World Grand Prix and the European Championship. She also recently played in a friendly match against Serbia in May.

Apart from veteran hitter Irina Filishtinskaya, Korabelka Club has kept its squad almost intact. In addition to the quality of the squad, the Russian club also has many beautiful athletes, including the reigning Miss VTV Cup, Palshina Elizaveta.

VTV Cup 9 Miss Universe 3187.jpg — Russian girls return to Vietnam to participate in VTV Cup 2025. Photo: SN

According to experts, if they play to their full potential, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team will once again reach the finals, and the opponent of coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and his team in the championship match will be none other than Korabelka.

But this time, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team will not lose as easily as in the VTV Cup 2024 final, when coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's team is more complete in terms of personnel, playing style and also understands the opponent better.

In particular, at this year's VTV Cup, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team has a very strong attack line with the "twin" pair Nguyen Bich Tuyen - Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, main attacker Nhu Quynh, middle attacker Bich Thuy...

Test for SEA Games

VTV Cup 2025 takes place from June 28 to July 5 at Vinh Phuc Stadium with 8 teams, divided into two groups. Group A: Vietnam, Philippines, Sichuan Club (China) and Australia; Group B: U21 Vietnam, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China) and U21 Thailand.

The teams compete in a round robin to determine rankings. In the next round, the first team in Group A will meet the fourth team in Group B, the first team in Group B will meet the fourth team in Group A, the second team in Group A will meet the third team in Group B, the second team in Group B will meet the third team in Group A, and then the teams that will advance to the finals will be determined.

asian football 2.JPG — Vietnam women's volleyball team confident of reaching the final. Photo: SN

Compared to the AVC Nations Cup 2025, Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet has made the only personnel change in the Libero position (Nguyen Thi Ninh Anh replaces Luu Thi Ly Ly). Coach Tuan Kiet affirmed that he will make higher professional demands on his students, because right after the VTV Cup 2025, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team will enter important international tournaments, notably the World Cup and SEA Games.

"For the first time, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team set a goal of defeating Thailand and winning the 33rd SEA Games gold medal. To achieve this goal, we focus on each tournament, and the immediate future will be the VTV Cup against tough opponents," said coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet.

List of Vietnam women's volleyball team:

Main players: Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Nguyen Thi Uyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong, Vi Thi Nhu Quynh

Middle blockers: Nguyen Thi Trinh, Tran Thi Bich Thuy, Pham Thi Hien, Le Thanh Thuy

Opposite: Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh

Set 2: Doan Thi Lam Oanh, Vo Thi Kim Thoa

Libero: Nguyen Khanh Dang, Nguyen Thi Ninh Anh