Rio 2016 stars to descend on Manila for Club World Champs

Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul 

Pomi Casalmaggiore 

PSL Manila 

Rexona-Sesc Rio 

Bangkok Glass 

The tournament will see some of the world’s top clubs clash in Manila, The Philippines from October 18-23 and will welcome Olympic and World Championship medallists as well as some of the most promising young talent from all corners of the globe.

Leading the charge will be Rio 2016 Olympic Games gold medallist and MVP Zhu Ting of China, who will line-up for Turkish side Vakifbank Istanbul. The 21-year-old is in sensational form and coach Giovanni Guidetti – who himself helped lead the Netherlands to fourth in Rio in August – will be hoping she carries that momentum across to the club game. Dutch opposite Lonneke Sloetjes will also be travelling with the side, as will the silver medallist and best blocker from Rio 2016, Serbia’s Milena Rasic.

Defending champions and Turkish rivals Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul are also coming with a full-strength squad. Rio 2016 Serbia captain Maja Ognjenovic is included, as is compatriot Tijana Boskovic. USA’s Rachel Adams and Jordan Larson-Burbach – both Olympic bronze medallists – will also be available to coach Massimo Barbolini, while Brazilian star middle blocker Thaisa Daher Pallesi and Russian wing spiker Tatiana Kosheleva will provide plenty of firepower in attach.

Volero Zurich won their first ever medal in the tournament last year, winning bronze in front of their home fans and since then have hired Zoran Terzic as coach who has bolstered the side’s ranks. Rio 2016 best middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo will be on hand for the side, alongside the likes of Fabiola De Souza and Olympic silver medallist Silvija Popovic of Serbia.

Champions League 2015/16 winners Pomi Casalmaggiore will make their tournament bow. They will look to Italian wing-spiker Lucia Bosetti for guidance, the 27-year-old. The London 2012 Olympian and 2011 World Cup winner will aim to channel the same spirit that saw them shock the world with victory in the Champions League final over heavy favourites at the time VakifBank Istanbul.

Thailand will be well represented with Bangkok Glass including three national players in their roster. Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wilavan Apinyapong and Pornpun Guedpard all featured during their World Grand Prix campaign in 2016, so will have vast experience of playing many of the athletes they will face in Manila.

Hisamitsu Springs Kobe are back at the world’s premier annual women’s tournament for the third year in a row with the team tasked to improve on the fifth-place finish they earned at both their previous outings. Japanese national team regulars Miyu Nagaoka and Yuki Ishii will be providing some quick attacks from the wing-spiker position as they look to earn a first podium place at the tournament.

Brazil’s Rexona-Sesc Rio made their World Club Championship debut in 2013 before missing out on a medal after losing to Volero Zurich in their bronze-medal clash in 2015. However, in Gabriela Guimaraes, Juciely Cristina Barreto and Fabiola Oliveira they have three of Brazil’s most talented players. Add the Netherland’s Anne Bujs to the squad and not many would bet against the side making another run at the medals.

Finally, the hosts will be aiming to show they can mix it among the best in the world, with the Manila PSL side featuring a mix of home-grown talent and international big hitters. Mika Aereen Reyes is considered one of the most promising young players in the country, with the middle-blocker ready to challenge the toughest attacks. Jovelyn Gonzaga and captain Rachel Anne Daquis will also be on hand to try and deliver a maiden title to the hosts on their tournament debut.