Translated material
Chronicle
Volleyball. World League. Preliminary stage. 1st gaming weekend. Group "C". Japan - Russia - 0:3 (22:25, 23:25, 16:25), 1:3 (22:25, 22:25, 25:22, 12:25). Cuba - Bulgaria - 3:1 (24:26, 29:27, 25:18, 25:22), 3:1 (25:19, 23:25, 25:21, 25:20). Position: Russia, Cuba - 6 points, Bulgaria, Japan - 0.
The Russian men's team successfully played its first official matches under the leadership of the new head coach, Italian Daniele Bagnoli, who spent the last two seasons working for Dynamo Moscow. In the Land of the Rising Sun, four players made their debut for our national team - blocker Anton Astashenkov, diagonal Alexei Cheremisin, finishing players Denis Kalinin and Evgeniy Sivozhelez.
Let us remind you that from this season the so-called “Italian” scoring system has been in effect in the World League, so it was important for the Russians to win “clean” victories, that is, to prevail with a score of 3:0 or 3:1. The task is completed - our team takes the maximum possible six points from Japan. In both meetings, the starting lineup included setter Sergei Grankin, finishing players Vladimir Melnik and Yuri Berezhko, diagonal Semyon Poltavsky, acting captain blocker Alexey Kazakov and his colleague in the role Alexander Volkov, as well as libero Alexey Verbov. The most productive of the winners over the two matches were Poltavsky (16+13 points) and Berezhko (12+14). After returning to Moscow, the Russians, with virtually no respite, will immediately head across the ocean for the second round matches against Cuba (June 19-20).
“Lakers” turned the tide of the away game
Basketball. NBA. Playoffs. Final. “Orlando” – “Lakers” – 91:99 (OT). Series score 1--3 .
Last night, the fifth match of the series was played in Orlando, and the Lakers, playing in the super final for the second year in a row, could have clinched the championship title.
In any case, the fourth game can be considered key, since “Magic” had the opportunity to equalize the overall score, was in the lead in this match for a long time, but could not maintain the advantage. Before the big break, the hosts led by 12 points, but after a rest, Californians' shooting guard Trevor Ariza came into his own and Lakers leader Kobe Bryant continued to regularly score points.
Then, with an equal game a minute and a half before the siren, Turkoglu, who scored five points in a row, made the score 87:82 in favor of Orlando. The visitors sent the match into overtime thanks to Pau Gasol's hit and Derek Fisher's accurate three-point shot with 4.6 seconds remaining in the fourth period. In the extra five minutes, the Californians won their eight points in the last 30 seconds.
Tikhonenko's team is already in the playoffs
At the European Women's Basketball Championship in Latvia, the Russian team, led by Valery Tikhonenko, secured early access to the quarterfinals. In the first match of the second group stage, our girls prevailed over Belarus (66:51) and, regardless of the outcome of the remaining meetings with Italy (late last night) and France (June 16), they ensured entry into the playoffs, since under no circumstances would they take below fourth place in group "F". Two rounds before the end of this stage, Russia and France had three victories each, the Turkish women won two matches, Italy - one, outsiders Lithuania and Belarus - none.
In Group E, the final round matches will take place today. Team position: Spain - 4, Latvia, Slovakia - 3 each, Greece, Poland - 1, Czech Republic - 0. The first three teams have already guaranteed continuation of the fight for medals.