Lausanne, Switzerland, February 1, 2018 – At a joint press conference together with the FIVB, the Montreux Volley Masters announced Volleyball titans Italy, Russia, Turkey, Poland to return to the Montreux Volley Masters, while Cameroon will make history as the first African team to compete at Montreux Volley Masters to take place from September 4 to 9.
Volleyball at its finest. That is what Volleyball fans can expect of the 33rd edition of Montreux Volley Masters. The organisers of the most prestigious invitational tournament in women’s Volleyball once again scored a coup to bring the best of the best in women’s Volleyball to the Swiss Riviera.
At a joint press conference together with the international Volleyball federation FIVB, the executives of the Montreux Volley Masters announced the remaining five teams of the 2018 Montreux Volley Masters: Volleyball titans Italy, Russia, Turkey, and Poland as well the rising nation Cameroon are to fight for glory at the oldest invitational tournament in women’s Volleyball. Reigning Olympic champs China, defending Montreux Volley Masters and FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix titleholders Brazil, and hosts Switzerland had already confirmed their participation last year.
Georges-André Carrel, living Swiss Volleyball legend and President of the Steering Committee of the Montreux Volley Masters, is convinced this year’s edition of the most prestigious tournament in Volleyball will have everything a Volleyball fan looks forward to. “In my opinion, we have one of the strongest compositions in the history of the Montreux Volley Masters. Brazil, China, Italy, and Russia are true Volleyball giants. The tournament once again brings the crème de la crème to the shores of Lake Geneva.”
Carrel is sure the teams are once again going to spoil Swiss and international sports fans with Volleyball at its finest. “Brazil, China, Italy, Turkey, Russia, and Cameroon will be in the last stage of their preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championships in Japan, the big highlight of the year. Therefore, the fans can look forward to hard-fought games as the teams will not spare themselves. We might even get the opportunity to get a foretaste of the World Championship gold medal game.”
On the other hand, Carrel cannot wait to witness the big debut of the rising Volleyball nation Cameroon – the first-ever African team to compete at the Montreux Volley Masters. “Cameroon have celebrated two historic years lately. After their first appearance at Olympic Games in 2016, the team claimed their first-ever African Championship title and consequently booked their ticket to their 3rd FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. This team are poised to challenge the big nations of international Volleyball.”
While it is the first-ever participation of reigning African Volleyball champions Cameroon, Rio 2016 gold medallists China are setting a record with their 27th participation at the Montreux Volley Masters. Seven-time Montreux Volley Masters titleholders Brazil, on the other hand, are going to celebrate their 17th participation. But the two favourites for the 2018 Montreux Volley Masters crown will have to bring their A-game at the most prestigious invitational tournament. Because FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship record-winners Russia, 2017 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Grand Prix silver medallists Italy, and 2017 CEV European bronze medallists as well as 2015 Montreux Volley Masters champs Turkey are poised to shine just three weeks before the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championships.
FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F°, on the other hand, emphasised the leading role of the Montreux Volley Masters in the growth of Volleyball: “The Montreux Volley Masters is one of volleyball’s most long- standing traditions and I thank the organisers for what they have done for the sport in the past and what they continue to do today. The Montreux Volley Masters is very important to the volleyball family and we have all worked hard to keep the tournament in the international calendar. The tournament has also developed considerably in recent years embracing the innovations and technology that we at the FIVB put forward for our volleyball and beach volleyball events.”
And so Swiss as well as international Volleyball fans will get their money worth when the biggest giants in Volleyball will cross their swords at the 33rd holding of the most prestigious invitational tournament in Volleyball.