The Hindu : Sport : Russia regains World title with ease

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 15, 2005

Sport

Sport

Russia regains World title with ease

M.C. Raman

JOY UNBOUND: The Russian team cannot hide its joy after winning the World junior title.

VISAKHAPATNAM: : Russia, with its superb serve and brilliant block regained the title in the 13th World junior men (under 21) volleyball championship. Russia defeated Brazil 30-28, 25-18, 25-23 in 73 minutes at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here in front of over 5000 Sunday crowd. Russia had last won the title in 1999 in Thailand.

Earlier, Cuba finished third, beating the Netherlands 25-23, 25-18, 30-28.

In both the clashes service dominated the game. Russia and Cuba turned out to be the two best serving teams in the competition. The Dutch coach Gido said in a post-match press briefing that his team found Cuba more strong in serve than Russia, which, according to him, had less number of strong servers.

After the final however, the Brazil coach Lerbach would have found fault with his statement because his team was mauled by the Russian aces. With blocker Volkov, setter Grankine Serguei, who turned the first set around in his team's favour when it was trailing 16-23, and Sivozhelez Evgeny going great guns, it was a nightmare for the Brazilians.

Brazil surges ahead

Brazil, though its attack was not effective and it found it a tough going against the strong Russian block, surged to 8-4 and 16-13 lead, thanks to Russia's errors. Till then Russia did not serve well. But the European No. 1 turned the heat on when setter Grankhine came in to serve at 16-23.

From then on Russia unleashed its awesome serve power without any mercy. That disturbed Brazil's first pass and it was forced to play the high ball. That helped Russia to go for triple and double block.

Brazil came under tremendous pressure. Still the South American squad did not give up and was leading 23-22, 24-23. But Russia came back strongly every time with good service. Kruglov spiked brilliantly, even finishing the 30 degree shots well. And he spiked to give Russia to give the first set on extra points.

Under pressure Brazil tended to be more tentative. Having lost its rhythm the team looked vulnerable. Thiago nor Marcus got bogged down by Russia's strong net defence and tended to be wayward. Brazil trailed 5-8 and 15-16 at the technical breaks in the second set and Russia took control. Danilov and Sivozhelez exposed Brazil's poor block.

Having wrapped up the second set too, Russia looked even more formidable in the third. But Brazil's game got a fillip when setter Bruno came in for Luiz in the third set. Brazil led 8-6 and 16-13. At this stage Russia unleashed its serve again through Volkov, who took the team from 19-all to 21-20. It was here Russia won the tie decisively.

Earlier, Cuba too served strongly and disturbed the Dutch game completely.

In a post-match press briefing the Brazil head coach Lerbach said that it was a match to treasure for Brazil. He and his team captain Alves Thiago said the match was in their grip but they lost. Lerbach said that his team found the Russian serve too strong and it was unexpected. He had never seen a player (Grankine) turning a match in a team's favour with serve like this. It was rare.

The Russia coach Yuiry said that his team came good at the right time.

The following won the special awards: Most Valuable Player and Best spiker: Alves Thiago

(Brazil); Best blocker and server: Ostapenko Alexei (Russia); Best scorer: Moon Sung-Min (Korea); Best digger: Putintsev Vadim (Russia); Best setter (Van Harskamp Yannick (the Netherlands); Best receiver: Brendle Thiago (Brazil).

Final placings: 1. Russia 2. Brazil 3. Cuba 4. The Netherlands 5. Iran 6. Korea 7. Serbia & Montenegro 8. USA.

Other results: Iran beat Korea 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-19; Serbia beat USA 25-15, 25-19, 25-21.

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