Brazil marched toward its eighth FIVB World League championship after sweeping Russia 25-17, 25-21 and 25-21 to reach the final of the 2009 edition in Belgrade on Saturday.
Following a disappointing fourth finish on home soil last year, Brazil bounced back to snatch an 11-1 record in the qualifications this season before winning three in a row in the finals for its eighth World League final appearance in the last nine years.
Brazil head coach Bernardo Rezende was emotional at the post-match press conference.
"More than satisfied, I feel relieved," said Rezende, who guided the Brazilians to titles in the 2004 Athens Games, 2002 and 2006 World Championships and the 2003 and 2007 World Cups as well as 2003-2007 World Leagues before seeing his team lose the 2008 Beijing Games final to the United States.
"We are trying to build a new team with new structure and I am glad to see how we get under pressure."
"The tension is really high with all the people watching us, I think we played well as a team today and I am glad with what we have done in the last two months."
Veteran spiker Giba shone in the first semifinal, having 12 smashes in 22 attempts plus three aces to score game-high 16 points for Brazil. Neves Vissoto contributed 14 points with Endres Murilo and Sidao adding nine apiece.
"I am very glad to see Giba in good shape," Rezende added. "He kind of started slow in this tournament and it's very comfortable to have him in good shape again."
Playing without regular starting blocker Santana Rodrigo, who sustained an injury from Friday's 3-0 sweep of Argentina, Brazil got off to an amazing start, jumping to a 4-0 lead in the opening set to force an immediate time out by Russia.
The Olympic bronze medallists came back with an 9-3 run to overtake the lead at 9-7, only to find Brazil reply with a 9-3 surge, during which Giba and Murilo combined for six points, to enter the second technical time out 16-12 up.
After the game resumed, the Brazilians continued their momentum with Vissotoo having four kills and Giba adding three to secure the set for them.
The Russians fought back hard for a 12-9 cushion in the second set, but Giba came up big again as he contributed a spike and a dink to start another 9-3 run of Brazil capped by a pair of aces of Sidao, who replaced Rodrigo to start.
Towards the end of the set, Pinto Rodrigo stopped ice Maxim Mikhaylov to make it 24-21 before Giba served out the set.
In the third set, Brazil soon built a 16-9 advantage and held on to land the victory in 72 minutes.
"It's a flawless 3-0, Brazil gave us a lesson in volleyball," said Russia's Italian head coach Daniele Bagnoli. "We played well in some parts and managed to stay close, but at crucial points we let them get away from us."
"We committed a lot of errors, but we also had some excellent attacks," Bagnoli added. "Brazil served well and played well in blocking while we allowed them to use their advantage in counter attack."
Brazil finished with a total of eight aces, compared to one from the Russians, who were led by Yury Berezhko with 10 points.
Later on Saturday, Serbia will play Cuba for the other berth in Sunday's final.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2009)
