Rating the favorites
The 2013 FIVB Volleyball World League saw Russia beat Brazil in straight sets (25-17, 25-18, 25-14) in the finals. The Russian men's national volleyball team won their third title in this annual tournament, and a few months later, beat their rival again at the 2013 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Grand Champions Cup. But the Brazilian men's national volleyball team won the event, their fourth title, due to a better win-loss ratio over the Russians.
This year's World League might not see Brazil and Russia competing against each other in the finals. The Russian team is a distant third in Group B, after losing both matches to the USA at Long Beach, California.
"I am pleased we were able to go 2-0 this weekend. Obviously losing Reid (Priddy) was going to be a challenge to see who was going to fill that spot and how we would replace his leadership. I certainly feel like we did a good job with that. I think Sean Rooney and Paul Lotman over the course of these two matches did a good job," said US coach John Speraw.
Brazil is also third in Group A, splitting their first two matches with Poland, and then with Iran. But they still have a fighting chance despite the Iranian men's national volleyball team upsetting the Brazilians in Sao Paulo last June 7.
"We have to recognize that Iran played a good match, and Brazil played in a lower level. We could not keep the consistency throughout the match. Our defence did not work well. Now we have to work harder and take the responsibility. There's nothing we can do but to work even harder," said Brazilian coach Bernardo Rezende.
Italy is on top of Group A, winning four of their six matches. This bodes well for the finals, which will be held in Florence next month.
"This is a big privilege and we are all happy to be here. The match would have been strange without encountering a moment of difficulty but we had control of it. Ivan Zaytsev was great. The stadium was full like in a final (match). It was an unforgettable night. We must go to Florence now and arrive there in the best condition," said Italian coach Mauro Berruto after his charge trounced the Polish team in four sets (25-21,25-20,15-25,25-17).
The outcome of the tournament can't tell which teams will do well in the Men's World Championship, which will be held in Poland from August 30-September 21. One must go back to 2012, when Brazil and Russia were 6th and 8th respectively at the 2012 World League. Both teams played for the gold medal at the London Olympics a month later, with the Russians prevailing. (Italy won the bronze medal, while the Polish team, which won the World League title, lost to Russians in the quarterfinals.) Rezende's squad are the favorites, but the Russian squad have beaten them in the big events during the last few years. It won't be long.
