This is not an Olympics for you

The first matches of the final of the volleyball world league were played in Belgrade

The first matches of the final tournament of the volleyball world league were played in the Serbian capital. The Russian national team, which fell into Belgrade thanks to the fantastic luck and help of Chinese comrades, held its first game on Thursday late in the evening after signing this issue of Gazeta in a seal. The rivals of the wards Daniela Banioli were Olympic champions - the Americans, who on the eve of their starting meeting played with the owners of the tournament - Serbs and lost 0: 3.

Before the match, the ceremony of honoring the winners of the 2000 Olympics took place. The 18,000th "Bogradsk Arena" was welcoming the wonderful players of the Serbian team of the Sydney convocation. Three of them continue performances for the national team. However, this tournament will be the last for Nikola Grbich and Andriy Gerich. They lingered in the national team after Beijing for another year only to play in the home final of the world league. And, of course, win it. Ivan Milkovich has the same goal, but he, unlike long -standing partners, may be another Olympic cycle with the team.

The rest - except for Serbian - teams appeared in this competition more updated compared to the Beijing version. The most noticeable updates in the Brazilian and American teams.

Ricardo, Gustavo and Andre no longer play Brazil. Bruno, the son of the head coach Bernardo, now acts at the position of the connecting position, and the main slave of the team (primarily Giba) should also adapt to his manner. The US team remained without his “golden” playing - Lo Ball decided to focus on performances for the Kazan Zenit. His successor was another player from the Russian championship - Kevin Hansen, connecting Torusla. New performers are new and coach: now Alan Night is headed by the American team.

The Serbs of the Olympic champions failed to take a single set. Moreover, only in the second there was a tense ending, where Nip’s wards kept the chances of winning. They led 21:19, but after the Time-Auta Igor Kolakovich, the "paravi" acted unmistakably and brought this party to the victory. As for the first and third sets, here the advantage of the hosts was revealed from the very beginning, and the question of the winner did not particularly arise.