FIVB World league Final Tournament

Records beaten in Belgrade Arena

Belgrade was the host of the 20th FIVB World league Final Tournament in volleyball where Brazil took its 8th title, and the finals were watched by 22.680 viewers


By RADOMIR ĐUROVIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


The Serbian capital Belgrade hosted the World League Final Tournament in volleyball for the second time. Like it did back in 2005, Brazil won the title again. This is the 8th World League trophy for 'the Carioca' team, which put them on the same postiton as the Italians, but one similarity more connects these two tournaments - their opponent in the finals. Four years ago Serbia and Montenegro lost 3:1, and this time, Serbia was defeated after a uncertain battle with the result 3:2. The third place was won by the Russian team, which defeated Cuba 3:0.

Igor Kolaković, the coach of Serbian national team, was satisfied with the result and said for WAVE magazine:

- It was a very tight score until the end and we are very sorry we didn't manage to win a gold medal. This team achieved a superb result because this is a second consecutive time we are playing in the finals. This shows the commitment and the quality of the national team. The rest of the teams had some different players but kept their basis. Only Russsia could have managed to get a higher rank.

There were only two European representations participating in Belgrade, the rest four were from the American continent. Surprisingly, Italy didn't make it to the final tournament. The eight-time World League winner was second in the A group behind the olympic champion and last year's winner - USA, but in front of Holland and China. This is the second consecutive time Italians didn't make it to the final tournament.

Many teams had tacticts and were keeping players for the European championship which will be held in Turkey next month.

- France, Italy and Poland were playing with their spare teams. They didn't have the drive to make it into the final tournament, so they kept their best players rested. On the other hand, Bulgaria and Holland used their strongest teams and still couldn't make it into the finals. European players have very long seasons behind them, so they were probably tired - says Kolakovic. When it comes to Italians, there has been a generation shift. They are introducing the young players and it takes some time to form a good team. This tournament demonstrated the quality of world volleyball. There were a couple surprises which prove that one has to cross a filter before comming to the top.

Brazilian player Sergio Duntra Santos was pronounced the Most Valuable Player, the best pointer was Serbian Ivan Miljkovic, and the best technician was the capitan of Serbian team Nikola Grbic. Other players were also recognized - Roberlandi Simon (Cuba, attacker and blocker), Vilfredo Leon (Cuba, server) and Aleksey Verbov (Russia ,libero).

Not only the brazilian players broke a record, but also the tournament audience did. Summer holidays and big temperatures did not stop the audience to come to Belgrade Arena and fill in the last seat. The finals between Serbia and Brazil was watched by 22,680 viewers, which is the new record of the final World League tournament. The previous record was also held by Belgrade Arena, in which 18,140 viewers watched the finals between Sebia and Montenegro and Brazil back in 2005. Coach Kolakovic said that the players attracted the audience with their unconditional fight, team spirit and undeniable quality.

This record was also a surprise to the general director of the Serbian Volleyball Association , Slobodan Milošević. He was expecting a great number of people to visit the tournament, but not for the record to be broken. Milošević said for WAVE magazine that he is satisfied with the tournament organization.

- Although I am a perfectionist and always thinking that things could be done better, I am satisfied with the tournament organization. We were great hosts, and we got excellent marks from the World Volleyball Federation experts. If we have the chance to be hosts again, we wouldn't change a thing.

The final tournament was held only a few days after the Universiade finished. Belgrade has once more proved itself as an excellent host, and Milošević explains what does that mean for the country.

- People saw that Serbia not only has excellent athletes, but also very clever people. We have gone through a rough period, and we have to prove ourselves constantly, so if we do every job right we'll be successful in more segments of life. We have shown that we are able to do a great job, if it is done by professionals. That's why we always have to believe in ourselves.


(Published: 20.08.2009.)