Estonian volleyball cup matchups decided in draw

The matchups for Estonia’s volleyball cup competitions are set after Thursday’s draw at Tallinn’s Kalev Sports Hall. The finals will take place on December 16 at Unibet Arena, where the defending champions will seek to retain their titles.

In the men’s round of 16, Advokaadibüroo Premium/Rae vald will face Structura/Tartu vald, EstNor/Kiili will meet Eesti Maaülikool/Embach, BMF/Rakvere VK will play Tallinna Ülikool, and the winners will advance into a quarterfinal bracket that includes Barrus Võru Võrkpalliklubi, Selver/TalTech, Bigbank Tartu, Audentes/Solarstone and Pärnu Võrkpalliklubi.

The women’s round of 16 features Viimsi/Tallinna Ülikool against TalTech/Nordaid, Gerardo’s Toys/Neemeco against TÜ/Bigbank, Barrus/Võru Võrkpalliklubi against Rae Spordikool/Viaston, and Viljandi Metall against Audentese SGT.

This year’s competition includes 11 men’s teams and eight women’s teams. Pärnu Volleyball Club are the men’s holders, while Rae SK/Viaston defend the women’s title. The tournament will again award a smaller cup, with quarterfinal losers continuing in that competition except for top-flight clubs.

A change to the men’s format means quarterfinals will consist of one match at the lower-ranked team’s home venue. Earlier rounds and semifinals use home-and-away ties. If teams split those matches, a 15-point golden set will decide the winner, with a two-point margin required.