Maracanãzinho
Let’s be honest, Brazil was the main favorite to win the gold medal since the competition has started with a pool stage. Even the bookmakers gave them the biggest odds. And why not?
They are the hosts, they have planty of planetary stars, maybe the strongest domestic league in the world and they participated in all 26 editions of the World League being the best ranked team with nine titles.
But… only one day before the battles are about to start they permanently lost one or maybe even two players from starting line-up for Final Six – Riad and Wallace (the 4th best spiker so far in the competition). Are they still favorites? Is „Maracanãzinho“ going to scare their opponents?
Another team that has participated in all editions of the World League, Italy, also needs to deal with losses in the squad. Zaytsev (8th best digger so far), Travica (the best setter), Sabbi and Randazzo – four important players – were removed from the national team by head coach Berruto due to lack of discipline. They were underdogs even before this scandal, now their chances are decreasing.
Poland has barely qualified to the Final Six. Current world champions secured their spot on the final tournament in their penultimate game of a pool stage, the one of those that we have mentioned in a prelude of an article.
They also have problems with injuries as one of their starting middle blockers, Kłos, fell off from the list in the last moment. Polish head coach Antiga had to erase him, but did he had to do the same with Jarosz who saved him in Tehran, being the best scorer against Iran and leaving alive Polish chances to enter the F6? Was this a wise decision by the Frenchman, the time will show.
Still, Polish hope is Kurek, the best scorer in Group 1 so far and three other players among top ten in this category – Mika, Bieniek and Kubiak! Let’s not forget the man who has solution in every moment – the setter Drzyzga (3rd ranked in Group 1).
Defending WL champion, USA, always aim their place on a throne in the World League. Sometimes it seems that they are specially preparing for this competition.
Their treat is to beat Brazil when South Americans are the hosts. Anderson and Russell are among top ten spikers so far, Holt among best blockers, Christenson among best servers and setters, Shoji among best diggers and receivers – so, beware of the „Yankees“, they are ready to win gold!
Serbia and France have equal chances to win the gold, but those are not big as both have the mixture of young and experienced players. Good thing is that both play fast and attractive volleyball.
The handicape for France might be the lack of heavy matches as they had pretty easy opponents in Group 2, while Serbia has, maybe, too many youngsters for this level of the competition.
Still, Serbia has one of the best setters in the history of volleyball on the bench, Grbić, a guy who knows how to win trophies.
Well folks – today’s the day when the final tournament of the 2015 World League in Rio de Janeiro sets off! On July 19 we will find out the winner!
See the schedule (Group 2 winner is France).
Check out our VIDEO page and find some interesting WL matches to watch!
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