Novi Sad, YUGOSLAVIA, August 4 (fivb.ch) - In spite of the fact that both teams qualified for the finals in Brasil, they both did their very best.
It seemed like a very easy start for the Yugoslav team supported by overfilled sports hall "Vojvodina", unable to receive all those who wanted to see this match. Nevertheless, so eager to win, Yugosalv team made many mistakes and in spite of some wonderful rallies, couldn't pass through the excellent defense and very strong attack of the French team. Losing concentrfation in defense and leaving some unguarded spots, they lost the first set after only 22 minutes.
French team started strong again, very motivated to win again, but the confusion at the results of 8:8 gave the Yugoslav team a new impetus and in spite of strong spikes of Marquet, they returned to their old self improving both defense and attack. Public was amazed by the excellent rallies of both teams and frantically supported its team, to win the 2nd set.
Mistakes and rallies followed and the French team came first to the technical time-out. They were catching all Yugoslav team would send but it was the Miljkovic's unabeatable spike that turned the result to their advantage. His killing serves and lovely rallies brought the victory in the 3rd set.
Coach of the French team made many supstitutions, trying various combinations with young players.
Reassured by the result, Yugoslav defense greatly improved and so did the service and a completely different team won.
Previous report
Yugoslavia - France 2-3 (25-20, 23-25, 21-25, 25-19, 11-15)
Podgorica, August 2 (fivb.ch) - France and Yugoslavia both put on a solid performance to take their Pool D Match to five thrilling sets, despite difficult conditions with temperatures in the 30 degrees Celsius and very high humidity in the hall.
Yugoslavia went strongly into the match, notching up an early set win to the euphoria of the home crowd in the Montenegro capital of Podgorica. Even without four of their key players home resting up for the finals in Brazil, France bounced back to level, and then take the lead in the following two sets. The Yugoslavs were unable to penetrate the French defense and struggled to find the right tactics but had to relinquish the lead to the visitors.
In the third set the two sets tied at 17-all, but again good defense and strong serving by the French prevailed. Yugoslavia ran out in the fourth with several substitutes and regained spirit to finally penetrate the French wall and with some creative volleyball also managed to counter strong serves by the powerful Daquin. The tiebreaker started well for the visitors and the Yugoslav team, even with the help of heavyweight players like Vujevic and Grbic were not able to take the initiative and the match.
World League - Final Standings
Group A
G W L Pts
1. Brazil 12 9 3 21
2. Poland 12 8 4 20
3. Argentina 12 4 8 16
4. Portugal 12 3 9 15
Group B
G W L Pts
1. Italy 12 11 1 23
2. Spain 12 8 4 20
3. China 12 4 8 16
4. Venezuela 12 1 11 13
Group C
G W L Pts
1. Russia 12 11 1 23
2. Netherlands 12 7 5 19
3. Germany 12 4 8 16
4. Cuba 12 2 10 14
Group D
G W L Pts
1. France 12 9 3 21
2. YUGOSLAVIA 12 8 4 20
3. Greece 12 6 6 18
4. Japan 12 1 11 13
Brazil, Poland, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, France and Yugoslavia advanced to the World League final tournament which will be held from August 13 - 18 in Brazil.
