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Lars Hamer

Players at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Arena have praised the new venue, saying the bigger and better facilities allowed for the best possible preparation.
When this year’s edition began on Wednesday, it was the first time it had not been held in the Hong Kong Coliseum since it came to the city in 2018.
Paris Olympic champions Italy beat Thailand 3-0 on Thursday to reclaim their position at the top of the league, before China emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Bulgaria.
“Both venues are beautiful,” Italy’s outside hitter Alice Degradi said. “But I have very beautiful memories from the Coliseum, because we were losing 2-1 against China [in 2023], and when we beat them, we qualified for the finals.
“I have that place in my heart, we have good memories there, but we want to create new ones here.”

However, Degradi said that in terms of the facilities on offer to the elite players, Kai Tak was the clear winner, a view echoed by her Thai counterpart, Ajcharaporn Kongyot.
“For me, everything is good, but I like this hall better,” Kongyot said.
“The Coliseum was too small; here we have bigger changing rooms, bigger facilities. It’s more comfortable, which means we can prepare better.
“Also, the Coliseum [stands] were too high. The low and wide stands here make it easier to see the ball – if stands are too high, it’s hard to see.”
On Sunday, the tournament’s final day, favourites Italy will experience the stadium with a partisan crowd that will be cheering for their Chinese opponents.
“We know that everybody wants to beat us, because we’re number one at this moment,” middle blocker Sarah Fahr said.
“I’m really looking forward to these two matches [against Japan on Friday and China on Sunday], because it’s gonna be fun, especially against China, because, of course, all the fans are not gonna cheer for us any more.”
China will need to up their game from Thursday night if they are going to beat the reigning Nations League champions.
Against world No 19 Bulgaria, the world No 6 side almost blew the match.
With the scores set at 24-22 and China on match point, the 2016 Olympic champions conceded four on the bounce and were forced into a deciding fifth set.
Despite trailing for most of it, China won the fifth set 16-14 to take the game 3-2.


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Volleyball

Women’s Nations League volleyball: players praise Kai Tak Arena but will miss Coliseum

Italy’s Alice Degradi (right), spiking here against Thailand, said she had “very beautiful memories” of the Coliseum. Photo: Panda/Takumi Images

Thailand’s Ajcharaporn Kongyot (left) said Kai Tak was a more comfortable venue. Photo: Panda/Takumi Images

Women’s Nations League volleyball: Japan recover from 2 sets down to beat Thailand 3-2

Japan got their act together in time to ward off an upset by the Thais. Photo: Panda/Takumi Images

World No 14 team Thailand won the first two sets. Photo: Panda/Takumi Images

Hong Kong fencer Cheung Ka-long shown red card, but teammate then wins first Asian title

Cheung Ka-long was adjudged to have hit China’s Mo Ziwei in his head intentionally. Photo: Handout

Cheung Ka-long reposted a story from a supporter onto his social media after the loss. Photo: Instagram 

Hong Kong foilist Ryan Choi won his maiden regional title in Bali. Photo: Handout

Sport

China

Hong Kong

Facilities are bigger and better at new venue, says Italy’s Alice Degradi after her team reclaim top spot


Facilities are bigger and better at new venue, says Italy’s Alice Degradi after her team reclaim top spot.


Kai Tak Sports Park

Women’s Nations League volleyball: players praise Kai Tak Arena but will miss Coliseum

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Facilities are bigger and better at new venue, says Italy’s Alice Degradi after her team reclaim top spot

Facilities are bigger and better at new venue, says Italy’s Alice Degradi after her team reclaim top spot