WL: EPIC TIEBREAKER – Serbia goes to final over reigning champions!

Serbia

Serbia was making pressure on American side from the start of the Final Six semifinal clash, being the first team to make a gap (7-10) thanks to the strong spikes from Atanasijević and excellent defense. Sander pulled US team forward with a few powerful attacks and ace for 13-12. Serbia gained a two-point lead several times afterwards (14-16, 18-20, 20-22). At 23-23, U. Kovačević successfully converted one-on-one kill while Anderson send his spike outside 23-25. See video from the last match between USA – Serbia.

The USA had a furious start of the second set, leading 5-2. With the support of Brazilian fans in „Maracanãzinho“, the Serbians leveled at 5-5. After Christenson’s ace for 7-5, Serbia made 0-5 run with U. Kovačević performing one man show! A three-point lead was unreachable for the Americans despite their perfect serves and Anderson’s kills. Serbia set up amazing defense and even better block (13-16, 17-20). Atanasijević turned the second set ball into 21-25.

A true drama was seen in the third set. American duo Sander – Anderson found their way through Serbian block, but at 8-6, Serbian team had a tremendous 0-6 run! USA returned with 3-0 run for 11-12 and afterwards, for more than a half of the set, the audience in Rio could enjoy in atomic volleyball. No team went ahead more than one point. Serbia had one match ball, while US team converted its second. Firstly, Holt sent a bomb from the service line and secondly, Atanasijević unsuccessfully spiked behind 3 meter line – 27-25. USA won three out of four clashes against Serbia in last year’s World League.

The Americans entered into the fourth set with more determination. It was mostly visible in their blocking and a lot of diversity in the attack. Christenson set so many perfect pipes for Sander and Jaeschke while Lee converted several quick attacks. When USA gained 21-18 lead it didn’t lose it until the end, making a 3-0 run at 22-20, crowned with a huge block – 25-20.

US team had a dream start of the tie-break with Anderson’s ace for 3-1 and Holt’s block for 4-2. At 6-6, the Americans scored a 3-0 run and thought that they have won a fourth point in a row. Serbian head coach Grbić saw what most of the guys on the court didn’t. He asked for a video challenge and he won it! Anderson touched the net while blocking. It gave the additional strength to Serbian team and since 12-10 for the USA, Serbians won five points in a row. Serbian jocker Starović took his teammates to the finals with a kill against triple block! See stats from the third match bewtween two teams in the 2014 WL.

Serbian Atanasijević finished the clash with 22 points as the most efficient player in both teams. On the other side, Anderson had 21. Both were the best scorers in the last duel of these teams.

FINALS 1ST GROUP / SEMIFINALS /

To see standings, more reports, stats and videos from this competition click on World League 2015.

To back in front page of news click on News.

Also, you can leave your comment on WoVForum.

For more articles click on Latest news.