Slovenian Volleyball Players Aim for Olympic Points in Nations League

The Slovenian men's national volleyball team is set to commence its sixth appearance in the elite Volleyball Nations League (VNL) today in Linji, China. Facing the host nation China in their opening match, the team, led by coach Fabio Soli, will also compete against Poland, Cuba, and Japan in the first tournament round.

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At this moment, we don't have a complete picture of the opponent's lineup, so our main focus must be on our game. It will be important to utilize everything we have trained in recent weeks on the court, and to take everything possible from the first match.

This year's VNL holds particular significance as it marks the beginning of point accumulation for the world rankings, a critical factor in qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Slovenia currently holds a strong sixth position in these rankings. Coach Soli emphasized the importance of securing points from the outset, acknowledging that the team's current form may not be perfect but stressing the need to capitalize on every opportunity.

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We know that our form is not yet perfect at the moment, but we must understand that the difference will be made by taking everything possible from the first match. That is the only focus I want in my team. We don't need to look too far from ourselves, we need to think about how to prepare for the match today and tomorrow and then give our best on the court. We must be prepared to suffer.

In the absence of long-time captain Tine Urnaut and Žiga Štern, veteran player Alen Pajenk will wear the captain's armband for the first time. Pajenk expressed confidence in the team's readiness, despite the inherent uncertainties of the first tournament. He highlighted the team's objective to play for a win in every match, focusing on their own performance and preparation to start the VNL campaign strongly against China, anticipating a challenging but winnable opening encounter.

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There are always some unknowns in the first tournament, as you don't know exactly how prepared individual teams are. We have come with the strongest lineup we currently have, and we will play for a win in every match, as points are already being collected for our main goal, Los Angeles. Against China, we expect a difficult match and loud support from the home crowd, but we will do everything to open the tournament with a victory.