Another victory for history

See you in semi-finals: Vladimir and Nikola Grbic

Hamamacu, Japan, November 25, 1998 - After Olympic and European champions, the team of Holland, the current world champion, the team of Italy could not resist the "atomic" volleyball of the Yugoslav national team. Vujovic, Mester, Batez, Boskan, Geric, Nikola and Vladimir Grbic and others defeated Italy after only two hours 3-0 (15-12, 15-13, 15-13). The Yugoslav team goes to the semi finals and will fight for one of the medals.

As usual, the first set commenced badly for the Yugoslav team as the Italians were leading 8-3. However, the Yugoslav team started playing its well-known game. Excellent serves, smashes and blocks soon reverted the result in favour of the Yugoslavs. The first lead was 10-9 and the final result of the first set 15-12 for the Yugoslav national team.

In the second set, Yugoslavia always had a lead and the current world champion could not find a good defence against fast and powerful smashes. This set Yugoslavia won 15-13.

Vladimir Grbic

In the third set the Italians started with the everything or nothing philosophy. They took a lead 7-4 but the motivated Yugoslavs did not want to miss the chance. They played with concentration and in the finish they were leading 14-11. The Italians then tried everything they could but succeeded only to reduce to 14-13. At the end it was 15-13 - another historic victory of the Yugoslav team.

In the last game of the Group H, Yugoslavia plays with Russia on Nov 26.