25th, jubilee, FIVB World League edition came to an end. U.S National Team joined the milti-gold club (Brazil, Italy, and Russia) claiming second gold, Italy disappointed its fans, while Russia strongly underachieved. What made the victory and failures? The star summary will explain everything!
Gold medalist – USA
There has been written and said a lot about the Americans recently. Almost all of these opinions were positive in nature, and rightly so. It seems that John Speraw has finally found the proper compilation of the players that will give the U.S. a chance to return to the forefront of the best teams in the world. There have been many attempts to find the most favorable personnel variant. Position no. 4 was cast by a nominal outside-hitter, Matthew Anderson, and position no. 5 was planted by an unknown so far Taylor Sander. Olympic Champions from Beijing started off the World League contest with pep after winning 7 initial games in requiring the group with Russia, Serbia and Bulgaria. Mentioned Anderson and Sander turned out to be two leaders, who dragged the Americans to consecutive victories mostly in the attack. However, a slight ‘shortness of breath’ had to happen and they were forced to fight to the last ball assuring a spot in the Final 6 with ditch attempt having overcome Serbia on the last match of the regular phase. They already impressed a great serve, which naturally corresponded with the block and defense. In addition, American coaches have the ability to flesh their opponents very well. It was said that they have a mysterious and totally new analytical programs that allowed the Americans to perfect itemising of play ways proposed by all the teams, but it was not a decisive aspect predestinating of the triumph of U.S National Team in Florence, because execution of assigned tasks was burden of positive outcomes. Despite a debacle in the opening game, players of the USA got back to equilibrium conquering all next meetings. What was the key to win? Good reception? No, for the Americans were the worst in this element. Speed? Micah Christenson was passing relatively high and safe of sets on the wings. The U.S success has been built on the effectiveness of the wings, especially Anderson and Sander, as well as a pretty frequent use of the first tempo and gradual integration of the attacks from 6th zone. However, the most important role played, previously dished up, serve-block–defense system. Johan Speraw boys came by the World League in these three components separately and the whole complex as a whole, as evidenced by numbers. U.S. national team were ranked in 2nd place in blocking, done most number of rebounds, crushed all the statistics of the serve and also shone in defense (2 place). Ergo, this rather difficult art of getting good at these three volleyball components influenced the triumph of Americans, but is it enough to succeed in playing at the World Championships in Poland? Who know, however, it is extremely considerable corpus.
Starry summarize of volleyball details
- Spiking after positive reception: ★★★★★★★★
- High balls attack efficiency: ★★★★★★★★+
- Counterattacks: ★★★★★★★★★
- Serve: ★★★★★★★★★★
- Block: ★★★★★★★★+
- Digs: ★★★★★★★★
- Block & defense: ★★★★★★★★★★
- Reception: ★★★★★
- Overall: ★★★★★★★★+
Silver medalists – Brazil
From hell to heaven, to finally end up in purgatory – this biblical metaphor illustrates properly the path that has been traveled by the Brazilians in this year’s World League. The group phase was quite a tribulation, points mendicancy, which was closed with a happy end for Bernardo Razende and his wards. The Canarinhos played poorly, unstable, ineffective, ugly, committing a lot of mistakes and thus recorded the worst beginning in the World League history. A fatal atmosphere was said to be out there and moreover, there appeared some coaching and players conflicts , which Brazilian medias mingled in that could not stand another embarrassing failures and perhaps, first of all, the style, showed by their compatriots. Brazil had huge problems with the serve, defense and spiking from the left wing. The first tempo was the only positive ingredient of their play, but that situation began to change and the Canarinhos won a ticket to Florence in the last round of the group stage, although at one point it seemed that they should have to forget about the finals. Bernardo Rezende silenced critics and was free to begin a fruitful preparation for the final tournament. The World Champions could not start better the struggling in Florence, as secured the semi-finals in the first match after defeating Russia. However, the positive image of the team after the first game has been considerably defaced in the next loser. Iran succeeded in wiping out Brazil in four sets, and the result could not have been a surprise, since Iran had already proved his superiority, though, it seemed that the Brazilians did not want to win this match which was associated with the elimination of Russia. This scenario was realized. Russia returned home, while Brazil took a fantastic semi-final against Italy. The host of the tournament had no chances. The Brazilians played the best game this season, impressing the block organization, attack efficiency and neutralization of Ivan Zaytsev. It was enough to advance to the finals, where he appeared sins of the past, such as uneven disposition of Wallace, lack of Murilo’s efficacy and average defensive. Bruno Rezende could rely only on middle-blockers, so if they want to defend the World Cup, the Canarinhos need to do strong work to improve quite significantly shortcomings. But Brazil is still Brazil.
Starry summarize of volleyball details
- Spiking after positive reception: ★★★★★★★★+
- High balls attack efficiency: ★★★★★★★
- Counterattacks: ★★★★★★★+
- Serve: ★★★★★★★
- Block: ★★★★★★★★★
- Digs: ★★★★★★
- Block & defense: ★★★★★★★
- Reception★★★★★★★★★
- Overall: ★★★★★★★★
Bronze medalists – Italy
‘PR champions’ – this title may be given to the Italy national team after this year’s World League, which is not completed in accordance with their predictions and expectations. The Azzurri only took 3rd place despite having a much greater aspiration, but once again confirmed that they cannot cope with the hardships associated with the play in semifinals. But let’s logical order. An impressive entrance in the season, topped with six victories in a row and breakdown over Brazil aroused appetites of fans of the Apeninean Peninsula, because the Italians presented one of the more interesting styles in the World League, although highly risky (profitable in the beginning ) as it was based on the above-average Ivan Zaytsev disposition. A series of several spectacular victories meant that Italian activists could ideally consume the idea of the organization a volleyball match in the moonlight on the tennis court – Foro Italico. As it turned out later, the outdoor game against Poland was the last winning stage in group, as a coach, Mauro Berruto, ordained vacancies for his biggest stars, who returned to play in the last weekend, but were totally unprepared and without form. You cannot exclude the supposition that the decision of 2 week break for inter alia Ivan Zaytsev, Emanuele Birarelli or Simone Parodi had detrimental effect on their demeanour in finals held in Florence. It seems that the Squadra Azzurra did not play quite as good as games as it took place in the early phase of the main stage, although convincing victory over USA may have suggested different conclusions. After second win at the Nelson Mandela Forum, there has came a judgement day of semi-finals and all hopes of the Italians to 9th title snapped like a bubble, since the main weapon (Ivan Zaytsev), yet reliable, he could not even get the point in clear situations. It turned out that a new player Dinamo Moscow is not only salvation, but also a curse of Mauro Berruto’s team. When he is in good shape, everything is OK, but if he loses confidence, you can instantly see a dramatic decline in the quality of play of the team. This is a warning for the Italians, because Ivan Zaytsev may not be sufficient during the World Champs.
Starry summarize of volleyball details
- Spiking after positive reception: ★★★★★★★+
- High balls attack efficiency: ★★★★★★★+
- Counterattacks: ★★★★★★★+
- Serve: ★★★★★★★
- Block: ★★★★★★★
- Digs: ★★★★★★★
- Block & defense: ★★★★★★★★
- Reception: ★★★★★★+
- Overall: ★★★★★★★
4th place – Iran
Iran‘s protrusion seems to be the biggest, a very pleasant surprise this season. You cannot respect opinions of people, who claim that their good game at the beginning and victories over top teams are sensational, and all preachers of such views show a normal lack of knowledge and impulses of the Arabian Peninsula for several years. Iran has regularly proved since 2011 that slowly open the door to the headquarters of the greatest teams in the world and the current World League edition is like crossing the symbolic threshold of the place. Persians impressed well shape from the very intercontinental phase beginning, when beat Brazil, Poland and Italy earned a characteristic style for themselves. An Iranian setter, Marouf, was ideally using wing-spikers, including numerous pipes, as well as incredibly effective middle-blockers. The strategy, developed by the coach Slobodan Koavac and implemented by Marouf, allowed to get a ticket for F6 to Florence, although Asian champions were no longer quite as smartly and murderously effective in the same finals. You could recognize that the Iranians were slowly losing their good form, and first of all, petered away, which was exampled in a weaker power and effectiveness of the attack, less the regular serve, and finally micro-injuries such as one of the best middle of the world – Sayed Mousavi. One element that has managed to maintain a good level throughout the season was a block and a cooperation between it and defense. Thus, the Iranians have been the best defending team in the Tuscan tournament. Saeid Marouf was observed to set play tempo above tactics and, what is more vital, above his teammates skills. When he saw that outside-hitters or ‘centers’ could not handle, he frequently manifested dissatisfaction with his behavior, shouting and doing the non-verbal work towards his friends. Despite the fact, Marouf was deservedly selected to best 7 of the tournament, while Iran was ranked just behind the podium, with the greatest success in history and will certainly be very dangerous at the World Championships in Poland.
Starry summarize of volleyball details
- Spiking after positive reception: ★★★★★★★★+
- High balls attack efficiency: ★★★★★★+
- Counterattacks: ★★★★★★★+
- Serve: ★★★★★
- Block: ★★★★★★
- Digs: ★★★★★★★★
- Block & defense: ★★★★★★★
- Reception: ★★★★★
- Overall: ★★★★★★+
5th place – Russia
Russia still has to do a lot of hard work to think about September’s Championships as a chance to remain the best team in the world. At the moment, the facts are absolute and the Olympic champions lost another prestigious competition on the world stage and needs to confirm its quality, although it will not be easy, because competitors do not waste your time, while Sborna keeps expanding the national team players bench, claiming that they will not be able to prepare 2 form ‘summits’, in spite of having unlimited potential. History of this year’s World League reminds that from 2012, when Russia did not achieved promotion to the finals, but won the Olympic gold a few weeks later. This time, Andrey Voronkov gave a rest time for few important players during the first phase of the group stage, but Russia failed to win the qualification for the final tournament, but only for two matches. One point loss versus Iran and the failure against Brazil settled the Russians on the edge of the cliff, in which they were eventually pushed back by Canarinhos. However, it is not astonishing, if you lose your trademark – serve. In Florence, Russia presented a particularly poor in this element. It is worth saying that they were able to perform only 6 aces in 15 sets, which made them the worst the serving team at the Final Six tour. Receivers, Denis Biriukov, Alexey Spiridonov or Sergey Savin did not raise the challenge especially in attack and Sergey Grankin was forced to build the offensive strategy based on lonely Nikolay Pavlov and Dimitriy Muserskiy. Grankin was not spoiling his colleagues via precision and ingenuity. Russia had exactly no stable points and that is why had to go home right after the 3rd day of the tournament.
Starry summarize of volleyball details
- Spiking after positive reception: ★★★★★★★
- High balls attack efficiency: ★★★★★★
- Counterattacks: ★★★★★★
- Serve: ★★★★
- Block: ★★★★★★★
- Digs: ★★★★★★★
- Block & defense: ★★★★★★★
- Reception: ★★★★★★★
- Overall: ★★★★★★+
6th place – Australia
The presence in the World League finals was a remarkable achievement for the whole volleyball environment in Australia, especially taking into account the fact that Jon Uriarte’s charges lost 7 of 12 games in the intercontinental stage. Fortunately, they had handicap in the form of the ’waiting room’ final tournament (2nd division) in Sydney, where the Australians overcame all, including Belgium and especially France, despite the hosts were the lowest evaluated before the start of the game. In the final match, the Volleyroos tackled France, beating them in 5 sets clinch and thrilling tie-break. Australia used the fullness of his quality and all own assets. Perhaps there were not many, but they have been fine-tuned to perfection. The descendants of Aboriginal specialize the block setting up and they could even give lessons to many stronger teams in this volleyball secret. If you have such a center as Aiden Zingel, you do not have to worry about the stability of the formation and then a good defense. However, block and defense rarely provide victory. You need to have the wings ones gathering points in the attack. Australia had one, Thomas Edgar, who was cleaning all complicated actions, even though he had no support two other outside-hitters. There is a saying: ‘You should cut your coat according to your cloth’, ergo Australia showed off all what was best and it was enough to surprise France. The French went on a 3-week convalescence pf their nervous system when the Kangaroos set off on a journey to Italy. In Florence, so predictable solutions in the offensive could not afford to playoffs advance. Having lost two games, the Volleyroos have been ranked in 6th place, gained promotion to the elite for the new season and achieved the biggest success in history, which probably will have a beneficial effect on the volleyball in the Antipodes.
Starry summarize of volleyball details
- Spiking after positive reception: ★★★★★★
- High balls attack efficiency: ★★★★★★
- Counterattacks: ★★★★★
- Serve: ★★★★
- Block: ★★★★★★
- Digs: ★★★★★★★
- Block & defense: ★★★★★★★
- Reception: ★★★★+
- Overall: ★★★★★+
Stats corner:
Best Scorers
RankPlayerTeamSpikeBlockServeTotal1.Amir GhafourIRA6722712.Taylor SanderUSA6033663.Matthew AndersonUSA5833644.Ivan ZaytsevITA5054595.WallaceBRA477155
Best Spikers *
RankPlayerTeamSpikesFaultsTotal attemptsEfficiency %Succ. %1.Lucas SaatkampBRA2984447.566%2.Filippo LanzaITA2784344.163%3.Taylor SanderUSA60149846.961%4.Dimitriy MuserskiyRUS2454146.358%5.Ivan ZaytsevITA50169735.152%
*Criterion: More than 40 attacks
Best Blockers
RankPlayerTeamKillingReboundsTotal attemptsAvg. per set1.David LeeUSA1315430.932.Aidan ZingelAUS56220.713.Lucas SaatkampBRA915450.604.Dimirtiy MuserskiyRUS510270.565.Maxwell HoltUSA720410.50
Best Servers*
RankPlayerTeamAceFaultsTotal attemptsEfficiencyAvg. per set1.Maxwell HoltUSA101467-5.90.712.Dimitriy MuserskiyRUS41134-20.50.443.David LeeUSA54561.80.364.Simone ButiITA43492.00.335.Ivan ZaytsevITA41549-22.40.33
*Criterion: More than 30 attempts
Best Diggers
RankPlayerTeamDigsFaultsTotal attempsAvg. per set1.Eric ShojiUSA449543.142.Artem ErmakovRUS2513402.783.Luke PerryAUS1811302.574.Salvatore RossiniITA2810392.335.Fahrad ZarifIRA349442.27
Best Setters
RankPlayerTeamRunning setsFaultsTotal attemptsAvg. per set1.Saeid MarouflakraniIRA157232710.472.Dragan TravicaITA9831988.173.Bruno RezendeBRA12042668.004.Sergey GrankinRUS6202016.895.Grigory SukochevAUS4631376.57
Best Receivers*
RankPlayerTeamExcellentsFaultsTotal attemptsEfficiency %1.MuriloBRA4846669%2.Salvatore RossiniITA4015867%3.Adam WhiteAUS4736766%4.Mario JuniorBRA80611564%5.Fahrad GhaemiIRA86613161%
Criterion: More than 55 receptions
Team Stats:
RankTeamPointsSpikeSpike %BlockBlock/setReboundsReb/set1.USA34119651%322.3735.22.BRA36120151%422.8765.13.ITA28015652%262.2473.94.IRA32819148%211.46045.RUS21212649%151.6485.36.AUS1427847%121.7162.3
RankTeamAceAce/setDigDig/setExc. Rec.MistakesMis/set1.USA271.91401054%1007.12.BRA140.91258.365%996.63.ITA151.31199.956%877.34.IRA120.81459.754%1026.85.RUS60.7879.759%495.46.AUS91.3588.253%486.9
Dream Team of the World League Final 6 by VolleyCountry
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