World League 2007

Setters
Paweł Zagumny, Łukasz Żygadło, Grzegorz Pilarz
Middle blockers
Łukasz Kadziewicz, Daniel Pliński, Wojciech Grzyb, Marcin Możdżonek, Łukasz Perłowski
Outside hitters
Sebastian Świderski, Michał Winiarski, Piotr Gruszka, Michał Bąkiewicz, Bartosz Kurek, Zbigniew Bartman
Opposites
Mariusz Wlazły, Grzegorz Szymański, Robert Prygiel
Liberos
Piotr Gacek, Krzysztof Ignaczak

Setters
Manuel Coscione, Marco Nuti, Giordano Mattera
Middle blockers
Luigi Mastrangelo, Luca Tencati, Andrea Semenzato, Marco Cosimo Piscopo, Andrea Sala
Outside hitters
Simone Parodi, Alessandro Paparoni, Alberto Cisolla, Matej Cernic, Cristian Savani, Matteo Martino
Opposites
Mauro Gavotto, Lorenzo Perazzolo, Alessandro Fei
Liberos
Alessandro Farina, Cristian Casoli

Setters
Ivan Ilić, Branimir Perić, Vlado Petković
Middle blockers
Andrija Gerić, Novica Bjelica, Dragan Stanković, Marko Podrascanin, Dejan Radić
Outside hitters
Bojan Janić, Aleksandar Mitrović, Milos Niki, Nemanja Dukić, Nikola Kovacević
Opposites
Ivan Miljković, Dejan Bojović, Tomislav Dokić, Sasha Starović
Liberos
Marko Samardzić, Nikola Rosić

Setters
Antti Esko, Mikko Esko, Joni Markkula
Middle blockers
Tuukka Anttila, Miika Heikkinen, Jukka Lehtonen, Matti Oivanen, Konstantin Shumov
Outside hitters
Teppo Heikkilä, Olli Kunnari, Ilkka Sammelvuo, Tuomas Sammelvuo, Antti Siltala, Urpo Sivula
Opposites
Matti Hietanen, Mikko Oivanen, Olli-Pekka Ojansivu
Liberos
Jarmo Kaaretkoski, Tapio Kangasniemi

Setters
Le Marrec Loïc, Pujol Pierre, Takaniko Toafa
Middle blockers
Vadeleux Romain, Sol Jean-Philippe, Hardy-Dessources Gérald, Montméat Vincent, Kieffer Oliver
Outside hitters
Kapfer Xavier, Slavev Bojivar, Antiga Stéphane, Geiler Loic, Samica Guillaume, Kilama Florian
Opposites
Rouzier Antonin, Castard Ludovic, Granvorka Frantz
Liberos
Exiga Jean-françois, Lemay Julien

Setters
Li Chun, Jiang Fudong, Jiao Shuai
Middle blockers
Yu Dawei, Liang Chunlong, Wang Haichuan, Guo Peng, Cui Xiaodong
Outside hitters
Shen Qiong, Hu Song, Cui Jianjun, Fang Yingchao, Sui Shengsheng
Opposites
Tang Miao, Zhong Weijun, Yuan Zhi
Liberos
Ren Qi, Chu Hui

Setters
Luciano De Cecco, Ignacio Bernasconi, Santiago Orduna
Middle blockers
Aníbal Gramaglia, Franco Giachetta, Rodrigo Aschemacher, Diego Stepanenko
Outside hitters
Gustavo Scholtis, Gastón Giani, Leandro Concina, Lucas Ocampo, Rodrigo Quiroga, Pablo Bengolea
Opposites
Marcos Milinkovic, Martín Hernández, Lucas Chávez, José Luis González
Liberos
Martín Meana, Facundo Santucci

Nobuharu Saito, Hiroaki Kawaura, Shinya Chiba, Shunichi Shimano, Hiroyuki Kai, Ryuji Naohiro, Takahiro Yamamoto, Yusuke Imada, Takaaki Tomimatsu, Osamu Tanabe, Yoshihiko Matsumoto, Kota Yamamura, Yuta Abe, Ryu Morishige, Katsutoshi Tsumagari, Yusuke Ishijima, Yu Koshikawa, Kosuke Tomonaga

The FIVB World League 2007 on ESPN
The FIVB is proud to announce the agreement partnership with ESPN to broadcast the World League and the World League finals 2007. The USA Volleyball Federation and FIVB signed with ESPN, which will bring the best that Volleyball has to offer to 100 million households in the United States and rest of the American continent. The finals are being played in Katowice, Poland from 11-15 July.
ESPN is today the leading sports broadcast network in America with their channels ESPN, ESPN 2 and espn.com. The ESPN channel, available in several languages, reaches over 100 million homes across 47 countries.

fivb.org

Setters
Marcelo Elgarten (Marcelinho), Ricardo Garcia, Bruno Mossa Rezende
Middle blockers
Eder Carbonera, André Heller, Sidnei dos Santos Junior (Sidão), Gustavo Endres, Rodrigo Santana (Rodrigão)
Wing-spiker
Samuel Fuchs, Gilberto Godoy Filho (Giba), Murilo Endres, André Luiz da Silva Nascimento, Anderson Rodrigues, Nalbert Bitencourt, Roberto Minuzzi Jr, Thiago Soares Alves, Dante Guimaraes Amaral
Liberos
Sérgio Dutra Santos, Alan Barbosa Domingos

Setters
Michael Munday, Brock Davidiuk, Josh Howatson, Scott Koskie
Middle blockers
Brett Youngberg, Steve Brinkman, Murray Grapentine, Nathan Toews
Wing-spiker
Louis-Pierre Mainville, Christian Bernier, Daniel Lewis, Pascal Cardinal, Mark Dodds, Fred Winters, Alexandre Gaumont Casias, Nicholas Cundy, Paul Duerden
Liberos
Chris Wolfenden

Setters
Kwang-Woo YOU, Young-Min KWON, Tae-Woong CHOI, Byung-Il SONG
Middle blockers
Hee-Jin KO, Hyun-Yong HA, Young-Soo SHIN, Bong-Woo YUN, Kyoung-Min HA, Yung-Suk SHIN
Wing-spiker
Hak-Min KIM, Sung-Min MOON, Kyung-Soo LEE, In-Seok SONG, Chul-Woo PARK, Yo-Han KIM, Dong-Jin KANG
Liberos
Oh-Hyun YEO, Bu-Sik CHOI

Setters
Georgi Bratoev, Andrey Zhekov, Konstantin Mitev, Ivan Zarev
Middle blockers
Hristo Tsvetanov, Krasimir Gyjdarski, Nikolay Nikolov, Teodor Bogdanov
Outside hitters
Ivan Kolev, Kostadin Stoykov, Matej Kaziyski, Metodi Ananiev, Plamen Konstantinov, Todor Aleksiev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Vladimir Aleksandrov
Opposites
Bojan Yordanov, Danail Milushev, Valentin Bratoev, Vladimir Nikolov
Liberos
Teodor Salparov, Vladislav Ivanov

Raidel Poey Romero, Tomás Aldazabal M., Jorge Luis Sánchez Salgado, Yasser Portuondo, Miguel A. Dalmau, Keibir Gutierrez Torres, Ariel Gil, Pavel Pimienta Allen, Michael Sánchez Bozlueva, Rolando Jurquin Despaigne, Yadier Sanchez Sierra, Pedro Iznaga Ortiz, Roberlandy Simón Aties, Raydel Hierrezuelo Aguirre, Oriol Camejo Durruty, Raydel Corrales Pouto, Odelvis Dominico Speek, Yoandri Díaz Carmenate, Fernandez Pedro Lopez

Setters
Abdalla Ahmed (ABDALLA), Ashraf Abouel Hassan (ASHRAF), Mohamed El Mahdy (ELMAHDY)
Middle blockers
Abdellatif Ahmed (LATIF), Mohamed Elnafrawy (ELSAYED), Hossam Shaarawy (HOSSAM), Aly Elian (HUSSEIN), Mohamed Seif Elnasr (M.ALI)
Wing-spiker
Hamdy Awad (ELSAFI), Mohamed Gabal (GABAL), Ahmed Abd Elnaeim (SALAH), Saleh Youssef (S.FATHY), Mahmoud Abdel Aziz (ABDEL AZIZ), Mahmoud Ismail (MANSOUR), Mohamed Badawy (MONEIM), Mahmoud Abdelkader (RAOUF), Mohamed El Daabousi (DAABOUSI)
Liberos
Wael Al Aydy (ALAYDY), Ahmed Elhefnawy (A.KAMAL)

Setters
Serguei Grankine, Vadim Khamuttskikh, Oleg Samsonychev
Middle blockers
Alexander Volkov, Alexey Kazakov, Alexander Abrosimov, Alexey Kuleshov
Outside hitters
Alexander Korneev, Taras Khtey, Pavel Abramov, Yuriy Berezhko, Roman Danilov
Opposites
Semen Poltavsky, Maxim Tereshin, Evgeny Matkovski
Liberos
Alexander Yanutov, Alexey Verbov, Vitaly Evdoshenko
Alexei Ostapenko (unknown)

Setters
Lloy Ball, Richard Brandon Taliaferro, Kevin Hansen
Middle blockers
Phillip Eatherton, David Lee, Ryan Millar, Thomas Hoff, Delano Thomas
Outside hitters
James Polster, William Priddy, Riley Salmon, Gabriel Gardner, David McKienzie, Sean Rooney, Nils Nielsen
Opposites
Brook Billings, Clayton Stanley
Liberos
Richard Lambourne

Quote from "Adri"

Nalbert Bitencourt back in the Brazilian selection? How come?

I found this news on 17.02.2007

Nalbert is coming back from beach-volleyball. The previous captain of Brazilian national team disclosed, that he can return to the team. Nalbert left national team after gaining gold medal in Olympics 2004 in Athens.
He can see very small possibility to play PANAM and Olympics in beach-volleyball: "the possibilities to obtain vacant place are very small". The two double better pairs of the world (Ricardo/Emanuel and Márcio/Fábio Luiz) will play Olympics and therefore I am opened to this change, because my objectives are the Olympic Games in China and the Pan-American Games - said Nalbert, 33 years. The only titles missing in Nalbert golden collection are titles from Panam and Italian A1 league.
I did not speak with Bernardinho yet. But the coach said: "If Nalbert find some club to play and get fit, he has change to come back into national team."

Yes, he played in Turkey. His team (Fenerbahce Istanbul) is on 3rd place in final ranking of Turkish volleyball league for the 2006/07. But I don't know nothing about his play. Maybe someone...?

Pool A
Canada - Finland 3:1 (18:25 25:20 28:26 25:18 )
The Canadians, currently ranked 12th in the world, dispatched of 33rd-ranked Finland in four sets by scores of 18-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-18 tonight in their first of two matches at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ont.
A combination of a strong Finnish block and a Canadian offence that was far from cruising along at full steam caused two 5-1 Finland runs early in the first set and they maintained that advantage for a 25-18 win.
Canada battled out of a 9-6 hole as Steve Brinkman ignited the Canadian blocking game to give it its first two-point lead of the match at 18-16. Solo rejections by Duerden and Louis-Pierre Mainville followed as Canada leveled the match with a 25-20 set two victory.
Lead changes were the theme of the pivotal third, as both teams battled hard for the swing set. Canada erased a 12-9 deficit as Brinkman again jump-started his team, this time with four consecutive points while serving. Finland climbed out of a 19-16 hole with Konstantin Smirnov serving five-straight of his own. Canada surged back ahead 24-22, but was unable to finish off the Finns until captain Murray Grapentine won several key points. The crowd erupted at the John Labatt Centre as Brinkman and Fred Winters combined on the final block for a 28-26 win.
The Canadians kept on flowing through the fourth set, as a 6-1 run propelled them to a 13-6 lead. It was all Canada from there too as it closed out Finland with a 25-18 win for the country's first victory in World League play since it last participated in 2000.
Mainville, Duerden, Winters and Brinkman all scored 14 points for Canada, while veteran Olli Kunnari, playing in his 100th international match, led Finland with 13.

Canada: Lewis 4, Koskie 2, Duerden 14, Brinkman 14, Grapentine 11, Winters 14, Bernier L and Mainville 14, Davidiuk, Youngberg, Casias 3
Finland: Esko M 6, Sammelvuo T 10, Hietanen 10, Kunnari 13, Shumov 11, Oivanen Ma 2, Kangasniemi L and Esko A, Oivanen Mi 3, Sivula 1, Lehtonen 6

Korea - Brazil 0:3 (17:25 23:25 26:28 )
Korea team got the World champion Brazil and made a mostly good fight. Brazil's well-known speedy attacks and strong serves dominate overall game.
Brazil setter's brilliant ball distribution and the speed play are the major factors of the success today while Korea can't catch up with the leading scores. Brazil's all 6 players are armed with strong serves. Even though Korea team's Park Cheol Woo struggled at the initial stage, finally Korea gave the first set to Brazil with the big score difference. From the 2nd set Korea team had settled down serve receptions stably so that the game's getting more competitive. It was reconfirmed that Brazil has a stable service reception and speedy attack as the World Champion. Korean team tried to reverse the atmosphere at the 3rd set and made it almost equal game leading the score by turns 26:26, however, several critical mistakes allowed to give the final winning to Brazil even after the tight chase. Korean player who are newly selected for this game need to improve their skill how to manage the game saving mistakes.

Korea: Young-Min KWON 2, Hyun-Yong HA 6, Kyung-Soo LEE 11, Chul-Woo PARK 13, Yo-Han KIM 5, Kyoung-Min HA 4, Oh-Hyun YEO L and Hak-Min KIM 2, Sung-Min MOON 7, In-Seok SONG, Yung-Suk SHIN
Brazil: Bruno 2, Eder 8, Samuel 16, Murilo 14, Nalbert 5, Rodrigão 9, Alan L and Marcelinho, Anderson 2

Pool C
Cuba - Egypt 3:1 (25:17 25:20 22:25 25:21)
Determined to achieve a triumph in the first weekend of the intercontinental round, the home team gave a great spectacle to the cheering crowd, silenced only partially when Cubans lost the third set.
Cuban starting line-up was with Rolando Jurquín, Oriel Camejo, Roberlandy Simon, setter Yoandri Diaz, Odelvis Dominico and Michael Sánchez, a.k.a. “The Russian”.
Egypt opened the match with Mohamed Gabal, Wael Al Aydy, Hassan Ashraf Abouel, Saleh Youssef, Mohammed Badawy, Mohammed Elnafrawy and Hossan Shaarawy
Cuba commanded from the beginning, thanks mainly to setter Díaz, who ruled the attack and gave some poise to the game. Spiker Raidel Corrales’s attacks were lethal from the sides, drilling the ball between the opposite’s defences.
The situation remained the same in the second set, with the Island giving up three more points, but always keeping the lead. Their block was also very efficient, but they showed some nerves in the serve.
Egypt surprised everyone beating Cuba in the third set, which started with a tremendous block from center Simon. But soon after, the visitors took a lead and never gave it up, in spite of Cuban’s come back, late in the set.
Cuban serve kept awful in the fourth set, but they still were better than their rivals, and finally won the match: this was the first victory for Orlando Samuells in his return as Cuba’s Head Coach, after years coaching abroad.
Both teams will play again Friday night in Havana, in their second match of the intercontinental round.

Cuba: Rolando Jurquín 8, Oriel Camejo 13, Roberlandy Simon 21, Yoandri Diaz 7, Odelvis Dominico 7, Michael Sánchez 8, Keibir Gutierrez L and Pavel Pimienta, Pedro Iznaga 5, Raydel Hierrezuelo 7
Egypt: Mohamed Gabal 12, Ashraf Abouel Hassan 4, Saleh Youssef 11, Mohamed Elnafrawy, Mohamed Badawy 10, Hossam Shaarawy 11, Wael Al Aydy L and Mohamed El Mahdy, Mahmoud Ismail, Aly Elian, Mohamed Seif Elnasr 1, Mohamed El Daabousi 2

Pool D
Poland - China 3:0 (25:20 25:16 25:21)
Poland was playing with almost the same team as in the World Championships. The only difference was Robert Prygiel, coming back after 3 years of absence on World League matches and currently the oldest (31) player on Polish team. He is replacing Poland’s best spiker - Mariusz Wlazly, whose knee injury may put him out of all of this year’s WL matches.
The first set started with a point for point fight, with only one point difference on the Polish side till the first TTO. This advantage grew to 16:12, due to good counter attacks of Poles and lack of such in China Team. Youth, swiftness and trying hard was not enough to catch up and the visitors fell to Szymanski’s serve, which ended the set 25:20 for Poland.
From the beginning of the 2nd set the China Team started to take more risk in their serve and both teams went head to head. In the 2nd TTO, after the failed serve of Jianjun Cui, the scoreboard showed 16:13 for White-and-Reds. From this point on it was only getting better for Poles. They launched more attacks from the middle, with the Chinese not having a clue how to answer and finished with a crushing advantage of 25:16.
In the first two sets Poland Team had a good attack efficiency of over 50% - much worse on the China Team’s side which, apart from that, didn’t manage to score a single point from blocks and serves. The beginning of the 3rd set was simply a repetition of the previous ones. Mistakes on the Polish side, however, allowed the China Team to gain an advantage of 8:7 and their first block point immediately after the TTO. After the 2nd TTO China’s three point advantage quickly melted down to a 16:16. The White-and-Reds took the lead with 20:19 and didn’t let it go until the end of 25:21.

Poland: Winiarski 15, Gruszka 9, Zagumny 2, Grzyb 9, Kadziewicz 7, Szymański 10, Gacek L and Bąkiewicz
China: Xiaodong Cui 5, Jianjun Cui 7, Dawei Yu 2, Qiong Shen 11, Fudong Jiang, Yingchao Fang 12, Qi Ren L and Song Hu, Zhi Yuan , Peng Guo, Chun Li

fivb.org

Pool A
Canada - Finland 1:3 (25:19 22:25 24:26 19:25)
Both Head Coaches stressed in the post match press conference after yesterday’s match that they believed their teams had better volleyball still in them to play. With Finland able to get the quick jump on Canada in yesterday’s match, only to let it slip away, there was much anticipation that both teams would be looking for some improvement in their game today.
As expected, the 12th ranked Canadians came out to start the match with a lot more fight, but Finland’s result from yesterday was their fate today as they dropped the match in 4 sets 25-19, 22-25, 24-26 and 19-25 at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ont.
Both teams’ attack was in order, exchanging kills and remaining within a point of each other before Canada was able to gain a 3-point advantage to go up 17-13 in set one. A combination of uncharacteristic errors by the Finnish and all-round strong defense and offence by the Canadians earned them set one 25-19.
The Finns were not about to give in keeping it close once again in the second set. Deadlocked at 20-20, Finland took over and opened a 22-21 gap off a momentum shifting block by #6 Captain Tuomas Sammelvuo. It would seem to be the back-breaker for Canada as they gave set two to Finland 25-22.
Much like the first two sets, it was a tightly contested match-up. Both teams were looking for something and for Canada it was a huge crowd-pleasing block by #15 Fred Winters on Finland’s #13 Mikko Oivanen. Finland would not be intimidated by this and would turn the table to lead 21-23. The Canadians would fight back to tie it at 23-23, but Finland’s middle blocker #14 Konstantin Shumov silenced the Canadian crowd with consecutive kills as Finland took the third set 26-24.
While Finland seemed to be the more spirited team in set 4, Canada silently remained in the game up by two 17-15. Eventually, Finland’s will to end this match would be the difference as they would go on a 7-point unanswered run that would eventually seal the deal as #14 Konstantin Shumov won the set and the match from the middle 25-19.
Captain Tuomas Sammelvuo led Finland with 18 points (14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 service aces) while Alex Gaumont Casias was tops for Canada with 18 points of his own on 15 kills, 2 blocks and 1 service ace.

Canada: Lewis 6, Koskie 2, Brinkman 6, Grapentine 7, Winters 16, Casias 18, Bernier L and Mainville 1, Duerden, Davidiuk, Youngberg
Finland: Esko M 5, Sammelvuo T 18, Hietanen 6, Kunnari 12, Shumov 12, Oivanen Ma 7, Kangasniemi L and Esko A, Oivanen Mi 6, Sivula, Lehtonen 6

Korea - Brazil 2:3 (25:23 19:25 29:27 23:25 15:17)
No one could foretell who’s going to beat the game today until the time out. It was a breathtaking game which couldn’t be expectable. Korea got the 1st set and Brazil took it after by turns. Eventually, Brazil ended it up with the set score 3-2.
Even though Brazil won the game eventually, Korea team lead the game over those 5 sets. Korea’s high attacks and powerful toss work made a success thanks to speedy set play at the 1st set. Then, Brazil eagerly chased up at the 2nd set with its own strong services and blockings. However, Korea took it over again playing see-saw in score. Nonetheless Korea’s Moon Seong Min showed very neat and overwhelming service points consecutively at the 4th set, Brazil got its pace back to the game keeping it alive their typical set play. At last, Brazil’s Murino and Eder finalized the game with the powerful services. Korea who meets the World Champion, Brazil at home made a good fight from the first to the end presenting a very exciting game to the home fans.

Korea: Young-Min KWON 1, Hyun-Yong HA 8, Kyung-Soo LEE 21, Chul-Woo PARK 20, Yo-Han KIM 5, Kyoung-Min HA 8, Oh-Hyun YEO L and Hak-Min KIM 3, Sung-Min MOON 14, In-Seok SONG 1, Yung-Suk SHIN 1
Brazil: Marcelinho, Eder 11, Murilo 21, Anderson 18, Rodrigão 10, Minuzzi 17, Alan L and Bruno, Samuel 5, Nalbert 10

Pool B
USA - France 2:3 (25:13 19:25 17:25 26:24 13:15)
Led by powerful hitting from Bojidar Slavev and Romain Vadeleux and the consistent serving of Pierre Pujol, the French Men’s Volleyball Team shook off a 13-25 first-set loss to defeat the U.S. Men, 3-2 (13-25, 25-19, 25-17, 24-26, 15-13), in their opening World League match on Saturday at the Chiles Center Arena.
A boisterous crowd of approximately 2,350 did its best to encourage the U.S. team to victory, which reacted with passionate, if not always consistent, play.
Slavev led France with 18 points on 15 kills, two blocks and one ace. Romain Vadeleux added 13 points on 10 kills and three blocks.
Gabe Gardner (San Clemente, Calif.) led the U.S. Men with 20 points on 16 kills and four blocks. Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added 19 points on 14 kills, four aces and one block. Ryan Millar added 15 points on 11 kills, three blocks and one ace.
As promised, U.S. Coach Hugh McCutcheon changed his lineup frequently. Every U.S. player on the 12-man roster saw playing time with the exception of outside hitter Jim Polster (Laguna Niguel, Calif.).
The deciding fifth set was a battle royal with the two teams battling back and forth. France seemed to have the edge with a 13-10 lead. But Gabe Gardner’s tip gave the serve back to the United States and Priddy responded with his fourth ace of the match.
France tried to ice Priddy by calling a timeout, but the U.S. Men tied the score at 13-13 on Gardner’s block of Samica.
But Rouzier came to France’s rescue with a kill that Kevin Hansen couldn’t dig. The United States’ attempted block of Rouzier went out of bound and the match was over.
Set 1 was dominated by the United States, which seemed to catch France off guard. Priddy had all three aces of his aces in the set, including the winning point. Gardner had six kills in the set and Priddy had five.
Team USA led 8-5 at the first technical timeout. With the United States leading 9-6, Priddy took the serve after David Lee’s kill and opened with an ace. Lee’s stuff block and another Priddy ace forced France to call a timeout with the score 12-6. The “icing” worked and Priddy sent his next serve out of bounds.
However, by then the damage was done to France and it never got closer than five points to the U.S. lead. The United States hitting percentage in the first set was 67 percent while France’s was 12 percent.
France came back in Set 2 to take an 8-6 lead into the first technical timeout. The United States pulled to an 11-11 tie, but could not take the lead as Frantz Granvorka’s kill and Guillaume Samica’s dink gave the French the next two points.
With the French leading 18-15, Pujol served for the next five points and put the game out of reach.
Team USA fell behind 4-1 in the third set and never led. France led 8-5 at the first timeout and 16-10 at the second. The U.S. hitting percentage was 16.
The fourth set saw the U.S. Men with a 23-21 lead. Crowd noise forced France to call a timeout and this time, the icing worked as Oliver Kieffer got the serve back with a kill. France’s stuff block tied the score at 23-23 and it was the United States’ turn to call timeout.
With the scored tied again at 24-24, Samica’s serve went long and France’s final block went out of bounds for the 26-24 U.S. victory.

USA: Rooney 6, Taliaferro 1, Lee 7, Priddy 19, Millar 15, Gardner 20, Lambourne L and Eatherton 3, Salmon 1, Hansen 1, McKienzie 2
France: Slavev 18, Vadeleux 13, Antiga, Granvorka 9, Pujol 4, Kieffer 10, Exiga L and Rouzier 9, Samica 12

Pool C
Russia - Serbia 3:0 (29:27 25:14 25:21)
World League 2007 starting match, which also is the first official match with a new coach of Russian National Team, Russia confidently won Serbia 3:0 (29:27,25:14, 25:21).
The teams began the game having in their compositions considerable amount of young players or players, who wasn’t in the compositions of their National Teams before. Especially Serbian Team lacked experienced players.
Having advantage in two points at the beginning of the first set, Russian National team continued to lead. But Stankovic’s successful blocks in the end of the set allowed to the Serbian team to even the score 24:24. Nevertheless more experience host team succeeded in winning the set 29:27.
In the second set the advantage of the Russian team become more evident. Owing to the confident and reliable play of experienced setter Khamuttskikh, who returned to the team after two year break, it was hard to beat back his partners’ attacks. Brilliant Ostapenko;s actions on the block led to the defeat of the Serbian team 25:14.
From the first ball in the third set Serbians Team, led by its setter Petkovic, tries to catch up with Russians, it seceded in having the even game till the score 21:21. Than with beautiful deceiving blow of Russian National Team’s debutant Matkovski, ace on Volkov;s serve and the end of the set 25:21 and of the match was in Russian Team’s favor.

Russia: Korneev 13, Volkov 11, Berezhko 12, Khamuttskikh 2, Ostapenko 8, Tereshin 10, Verbov L and Grankine, Danilov, Matkovski 2
Serbia: Bojovic 10, Bjelica 4, Kovacevic 7, Stankovic 10, Petkovic 2, Nikic 9, Samardzic L and Peric, Dukic, Dokic, Radic

Cuba - Egypt 3:0 (25:18 25:22 25:19)
Cuban national team delighted his cheering crowd with a categorical triumph 3-0 over Egypt, in their second game of the 18th World League.
With a certainly better performance, the home team laid on Michael Sánchez’s attacks and beated the fighting visitors 25-18, 25-22 and 25-19, at Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva Hall.
Sanchez, a.k.a “the Russian”, was the key player for the Cubans, stabbing the rival’s defence with an astonishing array of spikes, from both sides of the court. Almost unstoppable, Sanchez took the best of his setter, and drove the blockers and the crowd crazy.
Still victims of a shy receive and a poor serve, the Cubans took an early lead and kept it almost all the first set. But the Egyptians were no piece of cake, and handled the pressure very well. Anyway, “The Russian” sealed the initial victory, while Captain Pavel Pimienta yelled supportive from the bench.
Cuban starting line-up was almost the same than yesterday: Oriel Camejo, Roberlandy Simon, setter Yoandri Diaz, Odelvis Dominico, Sánchez and Pedro Iznaga, who opened tonight instead of Rolando Jurquín.
Egypt opened with Wael Al Aydy, Hassan Ashraf Abouel, Saleh Youssef, Mohammed Badawy, Mohammed Elnafrawy and Mohamed Gabal, whose attacks were applauded by members of the Egyptian embassy in Havana, and a bunch of noisy and joyful students. They lost starter Hossan Shaarawy, injured.
Visitors threatened again in the third set, like yesterday, but tonight the history was different: Cuba got back and finally won the set and the match.

Cuba: Oriol Camejo 7, Roberlandy Simon 7, Yoandri Diaz 4, Odelvis Dominico 4, Michael Sánchez 21, Pedro Iznaga 10, Keibir Gutierrez L and Pavel Pimienta
Egypt: Mohamed Gabal 12, Ashraf Abouel Hassan 2, Saleh Youssef 8, Mahmoud Ismail 2, Hossam Shaarawy 6, Mohamed Seif Elnasr 2, Wael Al Aydy L and Mohamed El Mahdy, Mohamed El Daabousi, Mohamed Elnafrawy 5

Pool D
Bulgaria - Argentina 3:0 (25:22 25:21 25:19)
With 3 missing bronze medalists – Vladimir Nikolov, Evgeni Ivanov and Plamen Konstantinov, Bulgaria was facing the challenge of putting in starting line two absolute beginners – Nikolay Nikolov and Metodi Ananiev. However 6000 spectators in Varna cheered up those two guys and they played on smooth level. Boyan Yordanov was the hero of the night with 19 points for hosts. His left hand made every ball a killer spike. Europe’s 2006 best player Matey Kaziyski was backing Yordanov.
The toughest set was the first. Argentina took the lead 3:0 and was ahead until the 13th point. Bulgaria managed to break latino-youngsters at 21:18 and finished the se 25:22.
Several equalizers were done in the second part, but at the second technical break Martin Stoev’s boys took the lead. Host coach even experimented putting on the field 6 new players with only libero Teodor Salparov from Japan 2006.
Third set was for the crowd. Bulgaria - knowing that is already winning, Argentina – that is no way to win. Both teams did their best performance and again Bulgaria closed it - 25:19.

Bulgaria: Tsvetanov 3, Zhekov, Yordanov 19, Kaziyski 12, Nikolov N. 3, Ananiev 9, Salparov L and Gaydarski 4, Stoykov 1, Aleksandrov 4, Zarev
Argentina: Scholtis 13, De Cecco 3, Concina 10, Giachetta 3, Hernandez 6, Meana L and Bernasconi, Chavez 4, Aschemacher 5, Bengolea

Poland - China 3:2 (24:26 25:20 23:25 25:16 15:13)
Motivated by their loss of the 1st and 3rd set the Polish team mauled the Chinese 25:16 in the 4th set and won the whole match 3:2 (24:26 25:20 23:25 25:16 15:14).
Both teams came out on the Cort with the same line-ups as yesterday. The 1st set started with three straight points for the Chinese, who, comparing to Friday performance improved their receiving and met the first TTO with Poland close by (7:8 ). Their better attacks from the middle and digs forced coach Lozano to call for a TO, but China’s Team kept their distance of 16:14 and caused a second TO on Polish side at 19:14. This proved to be a turning point for Poles who gained 5 straight points on good serves. Fighting head-to-head the China Team eventually closed it out with a 26:24 win.
Polish team started the 2nd set more motivated and made it up to 8:4. The China Team was getting close by, so coach Lozano made changes and Robert Prygiel entered the court after his three-year absence in WL matches, together with Lukasz Zygadlo. This proved successful and the White-and-Reds built their advantage up to 20:14 and 22:16, with Winiarski’s finishing blow scoring 25:20.
The beginning of the 3rd set saw China on the lead, but only until Gruszka’s spike changing the score to 5:5 and a first point from block on Polish side. The Chinese had problems with reception and the Poles pulled away to 14:8. Coach Zhou changed the Team Captain with his youngest (18 ) player Weijun Zhong (No.1) , who caused some confusion on the other side of the net and scored one ace. After his successful single block China Team took the lead and held it tight until a win of 25:23.
The Polish team came out to the 4th set with an incredible determination and after a series of successful serves and an ace by Gruszka it was 6:1. They kept riding that wave and had an advantage of 12:3 over China Team in the 6th minute of the set, when suddenly half of the lights went out in Mosir Hall. After that forced ten minute break the game continued. The White-and-Reds didn’t loose their momentum and Coach Jianan had to ask for a TO at 14:3. It was no use and the 2nd TTO was at 16:5. China’s side of the net was a shooting gallery for Poles, who were unstoppable and maintained the huge difference of eleven points. They got their first set ball at 24:14, but got a little nervous and finished the defenseless China off 25:16 a moment later.
In the tie-break the China Team tried to do their best, but couldn’t answer to powerfully hitting Poles, who kept a steady distance of at least 3 points until the Chinese got closer at 13:12 and 14:13. But that was all the visitors could do and had to fall to Gruszka’s final attack.

Poland: Winiarski 22, Gruszka 18, Zagumny 1, Grzyb 1, Kadziewicz 10, Szymański 6, Gacek L and Pliński 13, Prygiel 8, Żygadło, Bąkiewicz
China:Xiaodong Cui 3, Jianjun Cui 15, Dawei Yu 9, Qiong Shen 5, Fudong Jiang 3, Yingchao Fang 13, Qi Ren L and Weijun Zhong 6, Song Hu 4, Zhi Yuan 12, Peng Guo 4, Chun Li 1

Pool B
USA - France 3:1 (25:22 25:22 22:25 25:20)
After losing its last two matches against France, the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team got a little payback in Sunday’s FIVB World League match as it defeated France 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20) before a crowd of approximately 2000 at the Chiles Center Arena.
The U.S. Men did less substituting on Sunday than they did on Saturday, relying instead on their scoring leaders from Saturday. Reid Priddy led Team USA with 19 points on 15 kills, three blocks and one ace. Gabe Gardner added 18 points on 16 kills, one ace and one block.
France was led by Oliver Kieffer with 17 points on 11 kills and six blocks. Guillame Samica scored 15 points on kills and Frantz Granvorka scored 12 points on 10 kills and two blocks.
It took both teams time to build momentum, as France attacked for six percent in the first game compared to 13 percent for the United States.
But the United States relied on powerful serving to help bring them back and finished with five aces.
After falling in the first two sets, France rallied in the third set. With the score tied 15-15, Vincent Montmeat got the serve and scored the next four points. France never trailed again.
The fourth set saw the United States take a 21-15 lead. France pulled back to within four points at 24-20 before French setter Pierre Pujol hit his serve long, giving Team USA the victory.

USA: Rooney 7, Taliaferro 9, Lee 9, Priddy 19, Millar 9, Gardner 18, Lambourne L and Eatherton, Salmon 6
France: Slavev 3, Rouzier 6, Vadeleux 4, Pujol 3, Samica 15, Kieffer 17, Exiga L and Antiga 4, Granvorka 12, Montmeat 4, Geiler 1

Pool C
Russia - Serbia 3:1 (25:21 25:23 21:25 30:28 )
The host of the court manages to win young and as his game showed very promising Serbian Team. Thought till the last ball nobody could predict the end of the battle 3:1 (25:21, 25:23, 21:25, 30:28 ).
In the first set of second match Russia – Serbia the advantage of host team was evident. Although good amount of mistakes at a serve didn’t allowed them to have big score difference. Besides Kovacevic acted very efficiently in attack and at a serve. Primarily due to his efforts in the middle of the set Serbia won four points one after another and evened the score 14:14.
Nevertheless block of the Russian Team didn’t let them to achieve more. Russia won with the score 25:21.
In the second set Serbian Team acted much more efficiently and even was ahead in the beginning 7:5. In about even game big number of unforced mistakes of the opponent team guaranteed Russians victory, score 25:23.
Serbian Team increased pressure in the beginning of the third set, and in spite of Russians yielding all the time in the score, their coach V. Alekno didn’t change the composition. The guests achieved noticeable advantage 17:12, when Ostapenko (Russia) came to the serve. His partners succeeded in winning back three points. But Serbians caught luck and to the end of the set managed to win 25:21.
The lack of the mistakes guaranteed the advantage of the Serbian Team in the fourth set. Russians manage not to be behind the opponents due to effective attacks of Matkovski, Berezhko and Abramov. The moment was conclusive, when Russia won two points and evened the score 18:18. Further none of the teams managed to draw away from the opponent more than one point but luck was on the host’s side 30:28.

Russia: Korneev 7, Volkov 4, Berezhko 16, Khamuttskikh 5, Ostapenko 11, Matkovski 21, Verbov L and Abramov 3, Grankine, Danilov 2, Abrosimov
Serbia: Peric 1, Bojovic 16, Bjelica 10, Kovacevic 14, Stankovic 13, Nikic 11, Samardzic L and Petkovic 3, Dokic 1, Radic 1

Pool D
Bulgaria - Argentina 3:0 (25:14 25:19 25:23)
Bulgaria scored second win 3:0 (25:14, 25:19, 25:23) in a row against Argentina in World League’s Pool D. In front of Bulgaria’s president Mr. Georgi Parvanov, Sports Minister Vessela Lecheva, Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin, mayor of Varna Kiril Yordanov and 5000 people more, bronze boys from Japan 2006 smashed any attempt of struggle from gauchos’ side. Even without most of its top players on the bench, Bulgarian team left no mercy for Argentina youngsters.
Knowing gaucho’s week sides from the first day and having two incredible scorers in line – Matey Kaziyski and Boyan Yordanov coach Martin Stoev used the match as a test for his young players. He started with two new players from first day – Ivan Zarev and Todor Aleksiev. Nevertheless it was no worries for Bulgaria to crash the opponents at 25:14.
A little more tough was for hosts to win the second part. Even without their central blocker Anibal Gramaglia gauchos found a way to deny some of Bulgarian spikes and keep not far away behind in the score sheet. Even though after 14:11 more experienced team – hosts, took what it deserves – the victory 25:19.
Third set was dedicated for experiments by Bulgaria’s coach Martin Stoev. He put Kostadin Stoykov as opposite and all substitutes on field. De Cecco and Hernandes’ attempts to bring Argentina back in the match for at least a set lead only to smaller advantage for the opposite team. Guest came near at 14:13 and kept close distance till the end of the set. But that was the best result from their efforts – 25:23 and 3:0 for Bulgaria.

Bulgaria: Tsvetanov 6, Yordanov 14, Kaziyski 8, Nikolov N. 3, Aleksiev 8, Zarev, Salparov L and Zhekov, Gaydarski 5, Ananiev 5, Stoykov 4, Aleksandrov
Argentina: Scholtis 11, De Cecco 3, Concina 4, Giachetta 3, Aschemacher 4, Hernandez 4, Meana L and Bernasconi 1, Chavez 3, Bengolea, Ocampo 2

Ranking after 1st weekend WL

Pool A
1. Brazil 2 4
2. Canada 2 3
3. Finland 2 3
4. Korea 2 2

Pool B
1. USA 2 3
2. France 2 3
3. Italy
4. Japan

Pool C
1. Cuba 2 4
2. Russia 2 4
3. Serbia 2 2
4. Egypt 2 2

Pool D
1. Bulgaria 2 4
2. Poland 2 4
3. China 2 2
4. Argentina 2 2

Pool A
Brazil - Finland 3:1 (25:17 25:14 20:25 25:19)
In an expected outcome, Brazil won Finland in the second round of the 2007 World League, playing at Aecim Tocantins Gymnasium, in Cuiabá. The team coached by Bernardo Rezende played the first time at home in the competition and bet the finnish team by 3-1 (25-17, 25-14, 20-25 and 25-19), getting its third victory in pool A. In the firt round, Brazil won South Korea twice and leads the pool with six points.
In the first set, Brazil showed its best game. However, Finland, who had won one game against Canada in the last round, didn´t play well. The brazilian team took advantage of this and closed the set in a block of the middle-blocker Eder: 25-17.
The second partial developed in the same way as the previous one. Playing in high speed and counting with the good diversification of the setter Bruno, Brazil had no trouble to bring to an end the set: 25-14 in an attack of the middle-blocker Rodrigão. The third set was different. The finnish team played better than Brazil and won: 25-20.
In the fourth parcial, the Olympic Champion come back to the game and close the match: 25-19. The best scorer of the match was the wing-spiker Murilo of Brazil, with 24 points. In this saturday, Brazil will play against Finland again, at the same time and local.

Brazil: Bruno, Eder 5, Samuel 18, Murilo 24, Nalbert 11, Rodrigão 17, Alan L and Marcelinho, Anderson Finland: Esko M 3, Sammelvuo T 8, Kunnari 11, Oivanen Mi 14, Shumov 4, Oivanen Ma 3, Kangasniemi L and Hietanen 1, Esko A, Sivula, Lehtonen 4

Korea - Canada 3:1 (26:24 26:24 20:25 25:23)
Korea made a success to lead the game for the first 2 sets getting involved in the game devotionally. Although they were loosened down slightly at the 3rd set, the spirit of victory stood on their side.
Korea led the game for the first 2 sets. Korea has been improved a lot after the previous week against Brazil. Lewis succeeded 2 consecutive service-aces trying to turn over the table at the 1st set. However, Korea kept up the score to the end. Especially, Korea team, Lee Kyung Soo played his role very well as an outstanding spiker whenever the team confronted downs. This game was going very tightly even showing several unreasonable mistakes which means both teams were so eager for the victory. Canada came from behind and won the 3rd set while Korea lost the leading pace for a moment. Nonetheless Canada has kept chasing up Korea to the last minute, Korea was able to stick to the victory at the final set thanks to the libero's excellent job, timely substitution strategy from the bench as well as cheerful supports from the fully seated stand.

Korea: Young-Min KWON 4, Hyun-Yong HA 5, Kyung-Soo LEE 19, Chul-Woo PARK 18, Yo-Han KIM 12, Kyoung-Min HA 13, Oh-Hyun YEO L and Hak-Min KIM 1, Sung-Min MOON 2, In-Seok SONG, Yung-Suk SHIN
Canada: Lewis 13, Koskie, Youngberg 7, Brinkman 5, Winters 18, Casias 23, Bernier L and Mainville, Cardinal, Munday

Pool B
USA - Japan 3:1 (25:17 23:25 27:25 25:19)
The U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team held off a charge from an improved Japanese team and defeated Japan 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 27-25, 25-19) in their FIVB World League match on Friday at the Resch Center before a crowd of approximately 1,885.
Gabe Gardner (San Clemente, Calif.) paced the United States with 22 points (17 kills, four blocks, one ace), Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) added 19 (16 kills, 2 aces, one block) and Ryan Millar (Palmdale, Calif.) scored 12 (nine kills, three blocks). Yusuke Ishijima had 23 points, all on kills, for Japan and Yu Koshikawa added 13 kills for 13 points.
With the victory, the United States improves to 2-1 to lead World League Pool B. Japan falls to 0-1. In the other Pool B match on Friday, host Italy defeated France 3-2.
After Team USA won the first set and Japan won the second, the third set proved crucial to the U.S. victory. The U.S. Men led the third set 8-5 at the first timeout. But Japan never gave up and kept the score close. However, it could not close the door.
With Japan at set point 24-23, Gardner had a kill to tie the score.
Japan’s kill gave it set point again at 25-24, but it was followed up with a blocking error that tied the score again.
On the next serve from Sean Rooney, Japan was called for an attack error that gave the United States the edge. Priddy followed up with a kill for the victory.
“I just think we got really lucky to get that call and get another chance,” Priddy said. “I think we took advantage of an opportunity.”
U.S. Coach Hugh McCutcheon said the U.S. Team had good individual performances, but did not shine as a group.
“I thought the team played fair. It was not our best effort,” he said. “I thought our guys fought hard to win the third set.”
Japan was playing in its first World League match and Coach Tatsuya Ueta said it was too early to tell how good his team could be.
“It’s too early to evaluate the team. However, it is crucial to find out who will step up for us,” he said.
The U.S. Men never trailed in the first set and led 8-6 at the first timeout. Coming out of the timeout, David Lee served for three straight points to put the United States ahead 11-6. Japan never recovered.
Japan came back in Set 2, finding some timely hitting from Yusuke Ishijima, who had six kills in the set and Yu Koshikawa who had four. The U.S. Men held an 8-7 lead at the first timeout, but Japan scored the next two points on blocks and took a 9-8 lead. A block by Gardner and Lee tied the score and Priddy’s ace gave Team USA a 10-9 lead.
But the U.S. Men’s misplay, followed by a kill from Ishijima put Japan back in charge at 11-10. Japan never trailed again, although the U.S. Men kept the score close and tied it several times.
The U.S. Men raced to an 8-3 victory in the fourth set and never looked back.

USA: Rooney 8, Taliaferro 5, Lee 8, Priddy 19, Millar 12, Gardner 22, Lambourne L and Eatherton, Salmon 6, Billings
Japan: Kawaura 2, Naohiro 2, Matsumoto 7, Ishijima 23, Koshikawa 13, Tomonaga 1, Tanabe L and Chiba 6, Shimano, Imada, Tomimatsu 4

Italy - France 3:2 (25:20 25:20 22:25 15:25 17:15)
What can you ask more from a debut? Italy clinched a very important success in Florence beating France at the tie break after a very tied match. After the first two sets well controlled by the Azzurri, Giampaolo Montali’s team suffered the physical french reaction but their pride, well supported by the crowd, was the key to close a game that showed their strength but their weakness as well.
In the first set Italy took the lead with a good attacking efficiency rate. Savani, Mastrangelo and some French unforced errors put Italy ahead in the score after the first technical time-out. Montali played a sensible role switching the players in order to put some pressure on the French first line. Philippe Blain team tried a comeback with some intresting attacking combination but a great attacking performance by Savani and a couple of very effective blocks by Sala gave Italy the opportunity to close ahead at the second technical timeout. France capitalized the positive momentum of Romain Vadeleux but the Azzurri were able to maintain the lead in a first period comfortably well controlled by Montali’s team. Blain called a second time out but the good quality in recovering balls allowed Gavotto to close the set 25-20.
France took the lead in the second set with some promising attacking combination. With 5-1 on the scoreboard, Italy returned finalizing their best attacking performance. A good receiving skill, allowed Giampaolo Montali’s team to come back and take the lead immediately after. Ahead 10-9 a wonderful “lob” by Savani and a dirty spike by Cernic made more solid the Italian advantage. With Italy ahead 13-10, Samica signed the hope of a French comeback with a block that ended an well disputed point. Italy reached the second technical timeout ahead 16-13. But then Montali’s team controlled the game to close win the second set with the same score of the opening period.
In the third set Montali changed the setter with Nuti on to take the place of Mattera. France took the lead of a very tied period. Italy payed a large number of unforced errors in attack. France were 5 points ahead with Italy on the runaway to find the final comeback. But the third “doubt” in a row by the touch-judge put France in the best position to close the set 22-25.
The touch judge decision became the turning point of the fouth set. France reached the first technical timeout ahead 8-4 in the score. Italy came back but their attacking solutions became not effective like in the first two periods. Point by point Philippe Blain’s team reached the second technical time-out changing the “momentum” of the game. Ahead 20-13, the French team had the green light to achieve the “tie break” with Italy suffering their physical dominance: 15-25 the score.
Montali’s team recalled their pride and took a break 6-3 at the very beginning of the final set. Italy took the lead 8-4 finding in Savani and Cernic the right men to celebrate the third success in the 2007 World League.

Italy: Mastrangelo 9, Mattera 1, Savani 23, Gavotto 17, Sala 9, Cernic 16, Farina L and Nuti, Paparoni, Perazzolo 2
France: Slavev 4, Vadeleux 2, Granvorka 12, Pujol 8, Samica 16, Kieffer 12, Exiga L and Kapfer, Rouzier 1, Montmeat 16, Geiler 10

Pool C
Serbia - Egypt 3:0 (25:23 25:19 32:30)
In the first match of the second Weekend of the World League Intercontinental Round, the host team was strong against Egypt, and fought their first victory by the name of Serbia. Tonight, in Vrsac, both teams tried to show their best, since Serbia has very young team, and Egypt is playing only their second World League. They sought to gather as much experience as it was possible.
In the first set, Serbian team was stronger in the block, as well as in the attack, but started to serve pretty nervously. This helped Egypt to make some pressure, and to play very close game. However, the Serbs were calm in the finish of that set, and secured the lead with 25:23. Nikola Kovacevic was the most efficient scorer in the first set with six points.
The beginning of the second set belonged to the guests from Egypt. The young Serbian team found it very hard to continue scoring, and on the other side of the net Mohamed Badawy shoved many attacking skills. Serbian Head Coach Igor Kolakovic decided to change something, so he brought in junior player Sasa Starovic, instead of Dejan Bojovic. At this point, the Serbian team on the field averaged 22 years, playing with two junior team members. On the other side, Egypt had a lead, 11:7, 16:13, 19:17, but Serbia was not willing to stop. Kovacevic’s service was extremely strong, and he led other youngsters to win that set – 25:19.
The third set was also very tight, but Sasa Starovic made the difference. Egypt did their best at the moment, but Serbia wanted this win. It wasn’t easy for them, but at the end they made it, saving two set chances for Egypt. Serbia had 24:22, but couldn't do it then. Both teams were concentrated on defending, but at the end, the hosts were more lucky and finished at 32:30 for the maximum win of 3:0.

Serbia: Bojovic 3, Kovacevic 17, Stankovic 12, Petkovic 1, Nikic 11, Podrascanin 6, Samardzic L and Peric, Janic, Starovic 13
Egypt: Mohamed Gabal, Ashraf Abouel Hassan 2, Saleh Youssef 8, Mohamed Elnafrawy 3, Mohamed Badawy 17, Hossam Shaarawy 5, Wael Al Aydy L and Ahmed Abd Elnaeim 13, Mohamed El Mahdy 1, Aly Elian, Mahmoud Abdelkader, Mohamed El Daabousi

Pool D
Poland - Argentina 3:1 (23:25 27:25 25:17 25:23)
Polish team presented its “12” quite different from what we could see in last week’s matches – coach Lozano replaced four players. The 1st set started with single points for the Argentinean team, with a few mistakes on Polish side and the first TTO 8:4 for visitors. Poles tried to minimize the difference, but were still surprising their audience by making basic mistakes in block and reception. 2nd TTO saw Argentina pulling away with 16:11. The overall level of the game wasn’t satisfactory at all – both teams scored mainly on the opponent’s errors. The scoreboard showed 19:23 and Polish block still didn’t exist and just one counter attack did its job, which made coach Lozano call for TOs – all in vain. 23:25.
Poland came out to the 2nd set seeming determined – 3 points in a row were for them. Not for long though. Argentineans were coming close by and equaled the result three times, eventually overcoming Poland 8:7. It was a point for point fight with the advantage switching sides almost every two serves. Captain Gustavo Sholtis was Argentina’s best in attack, while on the Polish side 211cm tall Marcin Mozdzonek troubled his opponents by good blocking. The end of set was very nervous. Both teams were going tightly head to head from their 19th point and none could gain the advantage. After a failed set ball on Polish side and 25:25 Lozano called for a TO. The White-and-Reds struggled to win 27:25.
Polish team improved their defensive actions and started the 3rd set much better. Thanks to good attacks (especially by Winiarski) they quickly grew a 10:4 gap between them and the Argentineans, who, on the other hand, helped by firing their shots out of the field. 2nd TTO was 16:9 - an advantage which the Argentineans could not jump over. Poland was catching more and more wind in its sails. Polish team’s captain Piotr Gruszka launched very deceptive and clever attacks. Argentina got runned over 25:17. Winiarski was the king of the field – in both spike, dig and reception.
The overall level of the game improved much in the 4th set. Both teams fought hard for every point, going almost equal in points from the beginning till the end of 25:23. Polish team seems to have bad luck with its opposites, as another one of them caught an injury. This time it was Bartosz Kurek, Poland’s youngest player (19 – also on his shirt number), replaced by the oldest – Robert Prygiel.

Poland: Winiarski 13, Zagumny 1, Prygiel 12, Kadziewicz 12, Swiderski 3, Możdżonek 11, Ignaczak L and Gruszka 14, Kurek 9
Argentina: Scholtis 21, De Cecco 2, Concina 3, Aschemacher 6, Giachetta 2, Hernandez 16, Meana L and Stepanenko 3, Bernasconi 3, Chavez, Bengolea, Ocampo 7

Bulgaria - China 3:1 (25:16 19:25 25:22 25:17)
Bulgaria proved its world class in volleyball beating China 3:1 (25:16, 19:25, 25:22, 25:17). Applauded by more than 3500 people, including future head of Bulgarian church Mitropolit Kiril and the Mayor of Varna Kiril Yordanov, Martin Stoev’s boys had t suffer the road to the victory but finally they celebrated it.
Fast rally in the first set for Bulgaria and the result was 10:5 just in few minutes. Power serve and mighty spikes from Kaziyski and Yordanov broke guests’ reception and it looked like it would be as easy as against Argentina last weekend. The advantage of Martin Stoev’s team was so huge that even Vladimir Nikolov who is still suffering from injury was put in. With no defense and resistance against Bulgaria won the set 25:16.
Incredible was the change China made in just 2 minutes break between the sets. Bulgarians thought that they’ve done it and loosen it up. That was their biggest mistake. Flexible defense, power serve and quite smooth setting lead the Asians ahead after 18:13. Hosts tried to change it but it seemed it is too late to break the China engine – 25:19.
Third set was the decisive one. It was a fight for leadership, a battle of mistakes and most of all – some brilliant moves by both teams. Bulgaria after all managed to rise its block. It seemed that was the ingredient that was missing. The most excellent play by Qiong Shen and Yingchao Fang were not enough for Asian to keep the tempo 25:22.
Boyan Yordanov and Matey Kaziyski were the engine for the victory but the defensive line was the wheels. In the forth set Bulgaria took easy advantage at 6:3 and slowly turned it into a sweet victory. And Krasimir Gaydarski finished it at 25:17.

Bulgaria: Tsvetanov 9, Zhekov 5, Yordanov 15, Gaydarski 12, Kaziyski 13, Ananiev 2, Salparov L and Nikolov N. 1, Nikolov V. 2, Stoykov, Aleksiev 8, Zarev
China: Xiaodong Cui 6, Jianjun Cui 1, Dawei Yu 8, Qiong Shen 13, Fudong Jiang 1, Yingchao Fang 15, Qi Ren L and Weijun Zhong 2, Zhi Yuan 3, Peng Guo 4, Chun Li

Pool A
Brazil - Finland 3:0 (25:15 25:19 25:20)
The Brazilian team confirmed its favouritism winning Finland by 3-0 (25-15, 25-19 and 25-20), at Aecim Tocantins Gymnasium, in Cuiabá. With this result, Brazil reaches its fourth victory at 2007 World League and continues unbeaten, leading the pool A.
With a replete gymnasium, with 11 thousand fans, the team coached by Bernardo Rezende didn´t disappointed and won the first set in an attack of the wing-spiker Minuzzi: 25-15.
In the second partial, Brazil kept its speedy game and overcame again the Finnish team. Brazilian players escaped from the strong blockers of Finland and closed the set with an another attack of the wing spiker Minuzzi: 25-19.
In the last set, the Brazilian team didn´t have problems to finish the game. Rewarding the support of the fans, the Olympic Champion won the European team: 25-20.

Brazil: Marcelinho, Anderson 13, Nalbert 8, Gustavo 8, Rodrigão 10, Minuzzi 12, Alan L and Bruno, Eder 5, Samuel 1, Thiago 1
Finland: Esko M 2, Sammelvuo T 9, Kunnari 5, Oivanen Mi 8, Shumov 2, Oivanen Ma 6, Kangasniemi L and Esko A, Heikkila, Sivula 1, Lehtonen 1

Korea - Canada 3:0 (25:19 25:23 25:19)
Korea displayed well-organized teamwork as the top of Asia. Korea team has settled down far much more stably than when they had Brazil and run the game smoothly to win.
Canada was trying to turn the score several times though, finally Korea (ranking 19th) keep the score and turns the rank by beating Canada (ranking 12th) for this week in Jeonju, Korea. Korea continually led the score except in the middle of the 2nd set. While Canada team struggled by making mistakes, Kim Yo Han was good at effective serving, Lee Kyung Soo supported the leading score with his own powerful attack and Kwon Young Min played nimbly whenever needed. Just like previous day, home fan’s enthusiastic support and cheer might be a very helpful to Korea team.

Korea: Young-Min KWON 1, Hyun-Yong HA 10, Kyung-Soo LEE 16, Chul-Woo PARK 13, Yo-Han KIM 11, Kyoung-Min HA 5, Oh-Hyun YEO L and Sung-Min MOON 2, In-Seok SONG, Yung-Suk SHIN
Canada: Mainville 1, Koskie 3, Youngberg 2, Brinkman 5, Winters 7, Casias 18, Bernier L and Cardinal 6, Munday 1

Pool B
USA - Japan 3:1 (20:25 25:22 25:22 25:18 )
The U.S. Men’s National Team didn’t make it easy on itself, but with timely serving from Gabe Gardner, it overcame some inspired play by Japan to win its second FIVB World League match 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18 ) on Saturday at the Resch Center.
The victory improves the United States’ World League record to 3-1 and it keeps the Pool B lead. Japan falls to 0-4 in Pool B.
Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) led the U.S. team with 18 points on 16 hits and two blocks. Riley Salmon (League City, Texas) and Gabe Gardner (San Clemente, Calif.) each added 14 points and Ryan Millar (Palmdale, Calif.) had 11.
Yu Koshikawa scored 16 points for Japan on 15 kills and one block. Ryuji Naohiro added 15 points, Yusuke Ishijima scored 11 and Yoshihiko Matsumoto had 10.
Japan’s play was much improved over Friday’s match with stronger net play and consistent digging. But it couldn’t find an answer for Gardner’s play in the fourth set.
With the United States trailing 11-14 in the fourth set, Gardner got the serve and didn’t give it back for the next eight points until the U.S. was leading 19-14.
Along the way he notched two aces and had another serve that Japan misplayed. Salmon and Millar also combined for two blocks and Millar had another on his own during the run.
“It’s always fun for a server when you get to go on a run like that,” Gardner said. “But if it weren’t for my teammates’ great play, I wouldn’t have gotten to that point.”
U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) didn’t start Gardner in the match as he continues to examine the best U.S. players and rotations. However he was pleased with the spark that Gardner provided when he started the second and third sets.
“It was wonderful,” McCutcheon said. “We have to be happy for Gabe that we have found a position for him at opposite that makes the best use of his talents.”
Team USA started Brandon Taliaferro at setter, middle blocker Phil Eatherton, outside hitter Reid Priddy, middle blocker Ryan Millar, outside hitter Riley Salmon, opposite Brook Billings and libero Rich Lambourne.
Team Japan started outside hitter Ryuji Naohiro, middle blocker Takaaki Tomimatsu, middle blocker Yoshihiko Matsumoto, outside hitter Yusuke Ishijima, outside hitter Yu Koshikawa, setter Kosuke Tomonago and libero Osamu Tanabe.
Neither team led by more than one point in the first set until the score was tied 12-12. With Japan’s Yu Koshikawa serving, the U.S. Men hit twice in the net to fall behind 14-12. Riley Salmon’s kill brought the U.S. Men back to within one point, but Ryuji Naohiro answered with his own kill. The United States followed with a net violation and two straight hitting errors, putting Japan ahead 17-13.
Set 2 started out much better for the U.S. Men as Billings and Salmon turned up the heat with two kills each as the U.S. took an 8-4 lead at the first technical timeout. However, Japan’s stronger net play combined with U.S. serving errors kept Japan in the set and the U.S. lead was 16-14 at the second timeout. But Japan never rallied and had some errors of its own to give Team USA the set win.
Team USA never trailed in the third set, taking an 8-6 lead at the first timeout and 16-14 at the second. Japan kept the score close, but could never gain a tie or lead.

USA: Taliaferro 2, Eatherton, Priddy 18, Millar 11, Salmon 14, Billings 7, Lambourne L and Lee 3, Gardner 14
Japan: Naohiro 15, Tomimatsu 6, Matsumoto 10, Ishijima 11, Koshikawa 16, Tomonaga 1, Tanabe L and Kawaura, Chiba 1, Shimano, Imada 1

Pool C
Cuba - Russia 2:3 (26:24 23:25 15:25 25:20 13:15)
Russia Volleyball team got a breathtaking victory 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 15-25,20-25 and 15-13) in the first match against Cuba during this 18th World League.
The favourites Russians won the tie-break, in spite of the efforts of Cubans, backed by a roaring crowd. Now Russia is the only unbeaten team in Pool C of the intercontinental round.
The rainy night did not scare the multitude that filled Ciudad Deportiva’s coliseum. They got as award an intense game, with tons of spikes, blocks, digs and mistakes as well.
The home squad beat the odds taking visitors to the fifth set, and almost wins it all, but they let the victory go with a spike out of bonds.
Nevertheless, Russians were better in defence, blocking and serve. They also showed more timing on court, a factor lacked by home team. Besides, they counted with a noisy bunch of supporters, mainly diplomats of the huge Russian embassy in Havana.
Cuban Head coach Orlando Samuels opened with Roberlandy Simon, Oreol Camejo, Yoandri Diaz, Michael Sanchez, Odelvis Dominico, Raydel Corrales and libero Keibel Gutierrez.
His counterpart Vladimir Alekno’s starting line-up was Evgeny Matkovski, Vadim Khamuttskikh, Alexander Volkov, Yuriy Berezhko, Alexander Korneev, Alexei Ostapenko and libero Alexey Verbov.
The first set surprised even the local fans, who celebrated with the famous “Wave”, a contagious movement all around the stands. Simon and Sanchez –a.k.a. “The Russian”- leaded the attack, but setter Diaz fed other players later, a very effective strategy that harmed the rivals.
Volkov and Ostapenko summed up 16 points each, and Verbov showed why he’s considered the best libero nowadays. Their serve damaged the Cubans, unable to do it with aggressiveness.
Cuba and Russia will face again Saturday night, in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva.

Cuba: Sánchez B. 23, Simón 13, Camejo D. 11, Corrales 6, Dominico 5, Diaz 2, Gutierrez L and Aldazabal 1, Pimienta 6, Iznaga 6, Hierrezuelo
Russia: Korneev 3, Volkov 16, Berezhko 14, Khamuttskikh 3, Ostapenko 16, Matkovski 10, Verbov L and Abramov 10, Grankine, Danilov 1, Abrosimov, Tereshin 1

Serbia - Egypt 3:0 (28:26 25:20 25:22)
Both teams started with strong services. The first point of the match was an ace service of Milos Nikic, young Serbian receiver. But, it was the only lead of Serbian team till the finish of the set. Egyptian team was much stronger on the service than yesterday. An ace service of Number 4, Abd Elnaeim Ahmed, brought the lead to Egyptians – 5:3. The guests were very good in attack, too. Number 8, Youssef Saleh, lead the team with eight points in the first set. However, Serbs were persistent. Again with strong services (5 aces in this set), they managed to overturn the result. First it was 19:18, then 20:19, but Egypt was the first to have a chance to close the set with 24:22 lead. The guests even had the set ball, but in the counter-attack, player Number 13, Mohamed Badawy was out. The same player was blocked by Marko Podrascanin in the next rally, and Serbs were on 24:24. Egypt had two more chances, but couldn’t manage to do it. At the end, Podrascanin gave Serbian team the first chance to finish the set with strong ace service for 27:26. Egypt made a mistake, and Serbs won that set with 28:26. Milos Nikic was the best player in the first set with 8 points, great in attack (6-6), and with two ace services.
From the beginning of the second set, Serbian team played very good and fast volleyball. Head Coach of Egypt, Grzegorz Rys, decided to call time-out at 7:4. The hosts continued to play good, especially in the block and in the defense. That helped Serbian correction player Number 2 Dejan Bojovic to make new points for Serbia. When the Serbian team led 18:10, Head Coach Igor Kolakovic decided to make some changes. But that encouraged Egyptians, who managed to come as near as 19:16. At 20:17, Serbian Number 6, Nikola Kovacevic, blocked the counter-attack of Abd Elnaim Ahmed. It was the last chance of Egyptian team to do something more in this set. Egyptian Head Coach Grzegorz Rys gave the chance to the players from the bench, and in the second part of the set receivers on the court were Number 19, Mohamed El Daabousi, and Number 15, Elian Aly. However, that didn’t help, and Serbs won the set by 25:20.
The third set, Egypt started with other setter, Number 9, Mohamed El Mahdy, who brought his team to the lead of 4:1. Serbia didn’t find it hard to equalize at 4:4. They had five points in a row, so they came to 6:4, thanks to some fine blocking of Dragan Stankovic. After that, many service errors were made. Egyptian team found it easier to play in that situation, so they went to the second TTO with the lead of 16:14. The guests were up to 18:15, after two consecutive mistakes of the Serbian team. But then, Serbs managed to overturn the result. Milos Nikic’s service brought Serbia five points in a row for 20:10. Serbian libero, Number 8 Marko Samardzic, showed some remarkable skills. By the end of the game, Serbs managed to preserve their advantage. Serbian Number 11, the best player of this game, Milos Nikic, used the second match point to finish the set at 25:22, and the match at 3:0.

Serbia: Bojovic 13, Kovacevic 11, Stankovic 4, Petkovic 1, Nikic 15, Podrascanin 10, Samardzic L and Peric, Janic, Starovic
Egypt: Ahmed Abd Elnaeim 14, Ashraf Abouel Hassan 1, Saleh Youssef 10, Mohamed Elnafrawy 1, Mohamed Badawy 5, Hossam Shaarawy 2, Wael Al Aydy L and Mohamed Gabal, Mohamed El Mahdy 2, Aly Elian 4, Mahmoud Abdelkader 3, Mohamed El Daabousi 5

Cuba - Russia 3:1 (27:25 25:19 21:25 30:28 )
In a come back for the ages, Cuba defeated Russia 3-1 (27-25, 25-19, 21-25 and 30-28 ) in their second match of the 18th World League, in a sell-out Ciudad Deportiva’s coliseum.
Russia wasted five set point’s chances, but Rolando Jurquin and Captain Pavel Pimienta came from the bench to become Cuban heroes.
After winning the first two sets, the home team lost the follower and seemed lost in the fourth, when visitors were leading 24-18. But replacement player Jurquin showed the aggressive service Cubans needed, and sewed six points in a row, to tie the set.
Then veteran Pimienta focused on the serves, placing them where he wanted and harming the so far flawless Russian defence.
Starters Michael Sanchez and Odelvis Dominico were chased too often tonight, due mainly to the effectiveness of the Russian blockade and the poor help of local setter Yoandri Diaz, held down by mental and tactical errors.
Jurquin admitted he was nervous, but he backed the confidence of Head coach Orlando Samuels with a solid serve and powerful spikes. “Driving the crowd nuts it’s great” said the hero of the night.
The Russians got the support of a noisy bunch of countrymen, who kept shouting in spite of the overwhelming crowd.
Now Cuba and Russia share the lead of Pool C, followed by Serbia and Egypt. Next week Cubans will receive Serbian Volleyball team, and Russian will travel to Cairo to face Egyptians.

Cuba: Sánchez B. 18, Iznaga 11, Simón 20, Camejo D. 8, Dominico 7, Diaz 3, Gutierrez L and Aldazabal, Pimienta 2, Corrales 2, Jurquin 8
Russia: Volkov 13, Abramov 18, Berezhko 16, Khamuttskikh 1, Ostapenko 9, Matkovski 1, Verbov L and Grankine 2, Danilov 8, Tereshin

Nastja, especialy for you More and more to read :wink2:

Pool B
Italy - France 0:3 (20:25 23:25 26:28 )
France took the revenge in Livorno. After the tie break defeat in Florence, Philippe Blain team capitalized a super performance in serving, building a success that gave a new hopes to the French team. Both teams battled a very tied first set. Only a great spike by Granvorka gave the French the chance to clinch ahead the first technical time out. A much better quality in receiving and some unforced errors by the French gave Italy the chance to come back in the score but one ace and three blocks in a row by Montmeat put Philippe Blain team once again ahead in the second technical time-out. Italy was not in the best condition to try an efficient comeback. On the other side France played a perfect in blocking. With 16-21 on the scoreboard, Montali changed Savani with Cisolla trying to come back again with a wonderful block by Mastrangelo. At the very end, an unforced error in an attack gave France the opportunity to close the set 20-25.
The second set started with the Italian team more confident in rebuilding defensive recovered balls in good points. Ahead 8-4 in the first technical time out, Giampaolo Montali’s team suffered the comeback of the French taking the lead with a positive attacking series. But Savani first and Mastrangelo immediately after gave the Italians another light advantage. But the Cernic last attacking error in attack gave France the chance to clinch a disputed second set. 23-25
In the third set, France took the lead against an Italian team that suffered a not perfect receiving structure in building some efficient attacking solutions. Les Bleus reached again ahead the first technical timeout but an Italian comeback re-opened the set with the French team with a not perfect receiving numbers. Montali called Cisolla again and a couple of winning services put again the azzurri ahead at the second technical time-out. A much better receiving allowed Gian Paolo Montali’s team the chance to consolidate the advantage. But France had the ability to close the match with an ace signed by Kieffer.

Italy: Mastrangelo 6, Mattera 2, Savani 10, Gavotto 5, Sala 5, Cernic 7, Farina L and Nuti, Cisolla 3, Perazzolo 9
France: Granvorka 12, Montmeat 11, Pujol 4, Geiler 7, Samica 16, Kieffer 9, Exiga L and Slavev

Pool D
Bulgaria - China 3:0 (25:18 25:16 25:21)
Bulgaria ran over China in their second match in Varna as Steam Roller marshes down new streets. Martin Stoev’s boys gave no chance for opponent even to breath and smashed them 3:0 (25:18, 25:16, 25:21) in a little more than an hour. Lions’ victory showed the brilliance of their volleyball style and was watched closely by the President of Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Parvanov, Future Head of Bulgarian Church Mitropolit Kiril, Varna’s vice mayor Boris Kornovski, business and political elite figures.
First set was absolute copy of previous match’s start. Power spikes, mighty serve, rock hard block and smooth defense by Bulgaria gave a great volleyball feeling for more than 6000 fans in Varna’s Palace of Culture and Sports. Even China’s flexible defense could not save the Lions’ attacks. Coach Jianan Zhou tried to change something after 16:11 for hosts forcing his team to risk the serve but it was impossible to get in rhythm.
Bulgarian Lions marched through China defense roaring for more volleyball show in the second set. Krassimir Gaydarski got into the line of Kaziyski and co. performance and brought more trouble for China. Coach Zhou rolled almost all of his players in the court but again with no success – 25:16.
It was a little bit harder for hosts to win the third set. China came back in the match and equalized the play before the first technical break. Asians kept 1 point close distance until 19:18 with some great spikes by Song Hu and Zhi Yuan. Then Kaziyski and Vladimir Nikolov brought back power in Bulgarian attack and with smooth defense hosts crashed the last hope of China for something more – 25:21 and 3:0.

Bulgaria: Tsvetanov 10, Zhekov 1, Yordanov 5, Gaydarski 7, Kaziyski 14, Aleksiev 10, Salparov L and Nikolov N., Nikolov V. 9, Zarev
China: Xiaodong Cui 1, Jianjun Cui 11, Dawei Yu 11, Qiong Shen 5, Fudong Jiang, Yingchao Fang 2, Qi Ren L and Weijun Zhong 2, Song Hu 4, Zhi Yuan 3, Peng Guo 6, Chun Li

Poland - Argentina 3:0 (25:16 25:22 25:18 )
Both of the teams presented themselves in identical lineups as in Friday’s match in Poznan. From the beginning the Argentina Team applied new strategy and launched attacks from the middle, which brought them some points. The Poles, however, presented much better in and reception. Failed serves on both sides were the trademark of beginning of the 1st set. Gustavo Scholtis Argentina’s best on Friday seemed to have a much worse day – two of his errors resulted in aces for Poland, which kept a safe distance of 8:5 and 16:10 in both TTOs. Argentina Team looked more and more discouraged by their frequent reception errors, attacks hitting out of the field and poor blocks. Poles in turn were getting into the rhythm. The end was a disaster for visitors – 25:16.
In first part the 2nd set the White-and-Reds ruled the field in all elements of the game. Coach Uriarte was making changes, starting from poorly performing team captain Scholtis, but it was no use. From 8:5 in first TTO, through 16:9 in the second, Polish errors were the only hope for Argentina. Unfortunately for the visitors, they made few. Sudden awakening of Argentina in the end of the set was a surprise for now a bit overconfident Poles, who made some unexpected mistakes and let Argentina minimize the distance to 22:20 and 23:22. But that was as close as they could get. After a successful block of Sebastian Swiderski and Marcin Mozdzonek Poles end it 25:22.
Ten minutes of break was not enough for Argentina to come up with a strategy against Poland. 8:4 in the first TTO grew to 16:9 thanks to great serving and spiking on the White-and-Red’s side. Poland’s Pawel Zagumny (the best setter of the last World Championships) was doing an excellent job and all of Polish second line attacks brought points. It all ended simillarly to the first set. 25:18 and the whole match for Poland.

Poland: Winiarski 11, Zagumny 3, Prygiel 10, Kadziewicz 8, Świderski 11, Możdżonek 9, Ignaczak L and Gruszka 3, Żygadło
Argentina: Scholtis 2, De Cecco 1, Concina 7, Aschemacher 2, Giachetta 3, Hernandez 12, Meana L and Stepanenko 1, Bernasconi, Chavez, Bengolea 4, Ocampo 3

Ranking
Pool A
1. Brazil 8 4 0
2. Korea 6 2 2
3. Canada 5 1 3
4. Finland 5 1 3

Pool B
1. USA 7 3 1
2. France 6 2 2
3. Italy 3 1 1
4. Japan 2 0 2

Pool C
1. Cuba 7 3 1
2. Russia 7 3 1
3. Serbia 6 2 2
4. Egypt 4 0 4

Pool D
1. Bulgaria 8 4 0
2. Poland 8 4 0
3. China 4 0 4
4. Argentina 4 0 4