Brazil won its seventh FIVB World League title, the fifth in a
row, beating Russia 3-1 in a tough final in Katowice, Poland on
Sunday.
The bronze medal went to the United States who beat Poland
3-1.?
Brazil showed its class, defeated the powerful Russian team
18-25, 25-23, 28-26 and 25-22).
Both teams started playing carefully in defense and most of the
points scored in the beginning were a result of opponent's
errors.
In the second set, Brazil made more unforced errors until Murilo
entered the court and strengthened Brazil's wing. They started to
lower the point difference and finished the set 25-23.
Russian flagship server "Acetapenko" Ostapenko entered the court
for good and reinforced his team considerably in the third set.
However, Brazil took the lead again and finished the set 28-26.
In the fourth set, two shortest attackers in the court Giba (192
cm) and Murilo (190 cm) carried the whole weight of Brazilian
attack and did well in going around the world's tallest set of
blockers. Neither of the teams could pull away but when Brazil
blocked Poltavski two times in a row they earned their first match
ball. The second one gave the ultimate victory to them.
The third place is a comeback for the United States who had the
same place in 1992, and the second podium ever in 18 years of the
FIVB event.
Poland didn't manage to put itself together mentally after
yesterday's defeat. The United States won 25-19, 25-21, 22-25 and
25-19 for the bronze medal of World League 2007.
(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2007)