Can Türkiye go three in a row?
While lower on the odds list, the remaining teams have their chances and are certain to give their best in the most important competition of the year. World’s number 13 Belgium are aiming at a historic first Olympic appearance. Number 16 Bulgaria hope to make it the Games for the second time, after their 1980 bronze. 2023 South American Championship runners-up and number 19 in the world Argentina will try to make it three in a row, after competing at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Earlier this season, Puerto Rico won the 2023 NORCECA Final Four to qualify for Volleyball Challenger Cup 2024. Now the world’s 22nd-ranked team will try to qualify for their second Olympics, after appearing at Rio 2016. And last, but not least, Seoul 1988 Olympic silver medallists Peru, currently number 29 in the world, will attempt to secure their eighth Olympic participation and first since Sydney 2000.
The tournament in Tokyo serves off at 10:00 local time (01:00 UTC) on Saturday with an all-European clash between Belgium and Bulgaria. The first competition day also offers Türkiye’s encounter with Puerto Rico at 13:00 (04:00), the classic South American derby between Brazil and Argentina at 16:00 (07:00), and hosts Japan’s opening game against Peru at 19:25 (10:25).
