What started in Salt Lake City, Utah as a modest volleyball tournament with a few foreign teams has evolved into a 32-team international invitational featuring top teams in u17 and u22 divisions from around the world. In recent years the sleepy little town of Pula has witnessed a volleyball showdown between youth and junior national teams from Russia, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Denmark.  Add to that a mix of club and country federation teams from Romania, Germany, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Puerto Rico. USA regional HP, youth national, junior national, and collegiate national teams have all traveled across the globe to compete against some of the best youth volleyball teams in the world.

In the words of tournament founder Cory Solomon, “The goal in this event has always been for the American teams to match up with foreign teams, rather than other American teams, in as many matches as possible.”

Competitive international volleyball. That’s what you get at the European Global Challenge.  All teams, regardless of their nationality, stay in close quarters at the beach front Hotel Pula to encourage a cultural exchange between players and coaches.  The hotel is perfectly positioned within walking distance to both the competition arena and the crystal blue coastline.

The tournament kicks off with an opening ceremony honoring past Olympians in attendance from various countries at the edge of the one of the last remaining fully intact Roman Colosseums in the world dating back to 68 AD.  Daily tournament play is combined with historic sightseeing and beach relaxation.

If you’re a volleyball fan who loves to travel, there’s no better place in the world to be in July than Pula.  The 13th annual European Global Challenge will return to Pula July 4th – 15th, 2017.  Pre-tours will take place throughout Europe in preparation for the tournament.