The FIVB Men’s Volleyball Club World Championship is set to commence at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bangalore starting from December 6 (Wednesday). This year's tournament, featuring six teams, will witness Italy’s Sir Sicoma Perugia striving to defend their title from their victorious debut. Joining the challenge are Turkey’s Halkbank Spor Kulubu, Brazil’s Sada Cruzeiro Volei and Itambe Minas, Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds, and India’s Ahmedabad Defenders.
Sir Sicoma and Halkbank secured their spots through the 2022-2023 CEV Champions League, while the Brazilian teams earned their positions by securing first and second ranks in the South American Men’s Club Championship.
The Sunbirds earned their place after clinching victory in the Asian Men’s Club Championship, and the Defenders are representing hosts India after their triumph in the 2023 Prime Volleyball League earlier this year.
Speaking before the competition, Defenders’ Srajan Shetty expressed, “It’s a great opportunity for Indian players to play against some of the best in the world. It will be an experience that we won’t get anywhere in India. I can learn a lot.”
Captain Wilfredo Leon from Sir Sicoma conveyed their team's enthusiasm, stating, “We have come here with a lot of ambitions and positive energy to keep the gold. But we will have to see if other teams will allow it.”
Spanning five days, the tournament concludes with the final on December 10 (Sunday), featuring two pools of three teams each participating in round-robin matches. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals.
Volleyball Club World Championship 2023 pools:
Pool A: Ahmedabad Defenders, Itambe Minas, Sir Sicoma Perugia
Pool B: Sada Cruzeiro Volei, Suntory Sunbirds, Halkbank Spor Kulubu
Volleyball Club World Championship 2023 Live Streaming: For Indian viewers, the Volleyball Club World Championship 2023 will be live-streamed on FanCode and televised on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3 TV channels.
Here's the full schedule and timings for the Volleyball Club World Championship 2023 in India Standard Time (IST):
December 6, Wednesday
- Pool B: Halkbank Spor Kulubu vs Suntory Sunbirds - 5:00 PM
- Pool A: Ahmedabad Defenders vs Itambe Minas - 8:30 PM
December 7, Thursday
- Pool B: Sada Cruzeiro Volei vs Suntory Sunbirds - 5:00 PM
- Pool A: Sir Sicoma Perugia vs Itambe Minas - 8:30 PM
December 8, Friday
- Pool B: Halkbank Spor Kulubu vs Sada Cruzeiro Volei - 5:00 PM
- Pool A: Ahmedabad Defenders vs Sir Sicoma Perugia - 8:30 PM
December 9, Saturday
- Semi-final 1 - 5:00 PM
- Semi-final 2 - 8:30 PM
December 10, Sunday
- Bronze medal match - 5:00 PM
- Final - 8:30 PM