Brazil vs. Italy
With the return of Ivan Zaytsev to the national team after two years, but also by his return to playing as an opposite, Italy gained a totally new dimension in the attack. In Pool 4 encounter in Kraljevo, Serbia, the “Azzurri” were trampled in the first set but then showed power in the next two.
Osmany Junatorena, who underachieved in the opening set, joined Zaytsev in the attack from the second set. Italy had 2-1 and 21-18 in the fourth set before Felipe Fonteles “Lipe” started to pour in his hits. The tie-break was a one way street for Italy who at one moment had as much as five points more, 8-3! Partially, it was 18-25, 25-19, 25-21, 24-26, 15-8.
The captain Zaytsev notched 32 points (4 kill blocks, 2 aces) for Italy. Maurício Borges scored 14 points for Brazil.
Poland defeated Russia surprisingly easy at home in Kraków.
Poland performed very well in their second match in the 2018 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League – Week 1, downing Russia in straight sets in Pool 3 in Kraków.
Poland forced “Zbornaya” to chase their lead throughout the entire match. While in the opening set, Poland were five or even seven points ahead of their rivals, Russia managed to push the second and the third set into leveled battle in the finish – reaching 23-24 on both occasions. Finally, the encounter finished 25-15, 25-23, 25-23 into the favor of the hosts.
Michał Kubiak top-scored for Poland with 19 points (3 kill blocks and 2 aces), while Dmitriy Muserskiy placed 17 points for Russia.
To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2018 / Male / Seniors page.
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