China triumph in nail-biting showdown; Ukraine, USA, Croatia take opening day wins

The 2024 WPV Sitting Volleyball Final Qualifiers for Men, presented by Delin Company, commenced with three compelling clashes between teams in the same zone, namely Europe, Asia and Pan America, followed by the matchup between Japan and Croatia at the Dali International Olympic Centre on Wednesday.

The first matchup pitted European powerhouses Ukraine against Poland, with both teams eager to assert their dominance early in the tournament.

In a display of strength, Ukraine emerged victorious with a resounding 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-14) triumph over their Polish counterparts. Ukraine’s power proved too formidable to overcome even though Poland put up an excellent effort in the tightly contested second set.

Meanwhile, China faced off against Iraq in a captivating all-Asian duel. With the home crowd rallying behind them, the hosts battled fiercely against a determined Iraqi side, ultimately clinching a hard-fought 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-9) victory.

The North American showdown between the USA and Canada ended up in the hands of the former with a convincing 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-19) victory. Although the Canadians kept score close in each set, the Americans maintained their composure and ultimately emerged victorious.

With Croatia and Japan both determined to make an impact on opening day, it was Croatia that asserted their dominance with a commanding 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19) win. The Croatians’ performance reflected their superiority as they outplayed their opponents on all fronts. Japan fought hard to post a comeback, but their rivals remained unfazed, displaying their skill and cohesion to secure the win.