#VNL Final Six Scenarios for July 5, 2018: Who Can Clinch?

• June 4th-July 8th, 2018
• Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France | Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Capacity: 28,010)
• Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (EDT +05:00)
• Pool A Preview
• Pool B Preview
• Day 1 Recap

Schedule for July 5, 2018

• United States  vs.  Poland
• Serbia  vs.  Brazil

Scenarios for Teams to Clinch a Semifinals Berth

1. Russia (Pool B, 1-0, 3 points): After disposing of Poland 3-0 and earning the full 3 points in the standings, Russia mathematically has the best chance of clinching a place in the semifinals on Thursday. They can do this despite having a rest day. They would need either the United States to beat Poland in any amount of sets, or to lose to Poland in 5 sets.
2. France (Pool A, 1-0, 2 points): France had a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Brazil on Wednesday, but did not get the full 3 points available. Like Russia, they could earn a place in the semifinals without even playing on Thursday. If Serbia beats Brazil in 3 or 4 sets then France is in the semifinals regardless of what happens on Friday.
3. United States (Pool B, 0-0, 0 points): The United States has not played a match yet, but if they beat Poland in any amount of sets on Thursday, they will qualify for the semifinals along with Russia. Their match on Friday would be solely for seeding purposes.
4. Serbia (Pool A, 0-0, 0 points): Serbia can earn a spot into the semifinals on Thursday. Any win against Brazil will give them at least 2 points. More importantly it will mean they are guaranteed to have more wins than Brazil. Doing so will eliminate Brazil and mean the match against France on Friday is to determine seeding in the semifinals.
5. Brazil (Pool A, 0-1, 1 point): Brazil may have lost to France on Wednesday, but they were able to earn a point by taking the match to a 5th set. If they beat Serbia in 3 or 4 sets, they will have 4 points and clinch a place in the semifinals. If they win in 5 sets they need to await the results of the match between Serbia and France on Friday.
6. Poland (Pool B, 0-1, 0 points): There is no way for Poland to earn a spot in the semifinals on Thursday. If they beat the United States in 3 or 4 sets, they still remain eligible, but they will need some help. They would have to await the results of the match on Friday between the United States and Russia.