Australia
POOL 13
Italy got themselves in a highly disputable situation when it comes to the Final Six promotion as they suffered the fifth defeat in the tournament. Australia managed to beat the „Azzurri“ in Seoul, South Korea, despite playing without their most productive player in Week 4, Paul Carroll, who appeared only in the finish of the fourth set – 3-1 (27-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23). Thomas Hodges did a great job in filling in the role of Carroll as he tallied 20 points. Australia downed Italy only for the second time in 17 official matches, the first time after 2015 FIVB World League. Gabriele Maruotti top-scored for Italy with 16 points while Simone Anzani recorded 6 kill blocks. Italy, who disappointed from the service line today may fall outside the Final Six zone in the standings in case Serbia defeats Poland in Pool 15. Now they face a scary challenge in front of own crowd in Week 5 in Modena playing France, Russia, and the United States!
South Korea needed 12 matches in the tournament to inscribe their first victory. They beat Asian rivals China in straight sets with 20 points from Moon Sung-Min and 4 kill blocks from Kim Jae-Hwi. Jiang Chuan scored 17 points for China.
POOL 14
Russia vs. Germany
Russia’s five-year domination over Germany has been preserved. In a rerun of the last years CEV European Championship final, which was this only on a paper, „Zbornaya“ trampled over Germany in straight sets, partially 25-18, 26-24, 25-18, making the fans on the packed stands at Ludwigsburg Arena pretty much disappointed. This defeat meant goodbye for Andrea Giani’s players to the Final Six. Russia, on the other hand, are looking ahead to Lille tournament. Romanas Shkulyavichus delivered 15 points for „Zbornaya“ while Dmitriy Muserskiy made 4 kill blocks.
Japan broke an 11-year curse in the matches against Argentina to beat the South American side in the tie-break – 26-24, 12-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11. Japan struggled to compensate the absence of their best scorer Yuji Nishida before their head coach Yuichi Nakagaichi made a crucial move for the outcome of the match by moving outside hitter Masahiro Yanagida to the opposite position instead of Issei Otake at the beginning of the fourth set. Yanagida produced 16 points, just like his teammate Tatsuya Fukuzawa. Cristian Poglajen scored 20 points for Argentina while Sebastián Solé made 5 of team’s 15 kill blocks.
POOL 15
Serbia closed Week 4 in a stylish way by making two straight wins to keep their Final Six hopes pretty much active before a decisive Week 5. The team from the Balkans outdone Poland by a 3-0, with all three sets finishing in a two-point difference, in Hoffman Estates, USA – 25-23, 25-23, 25-23. Thus, Poland finished a nightmare Week 4 in the Nations League with a 0-3 record, endangering their Final Six slot. Both Serbia and Poland have an 8-4 win-loss ratio. Serbia are placed 6th with 20 points while Poland are at No.5 with 23 points. Aleksandar Atanasijević topped Serbia with 20 points. Bartosz Kurek noted 17 points for Poland.
USA vs. Iran
The United States molded 5th consecutive win in the tournament, making 3 of 3 at home in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, all ending in straight sets! By beating Iran by a 3-0 (29-27, 25-20, 26-24), the „stars and stripes“ have climbed to No.2 in the standings with a 10-2 record and 29 points which is an output that almost certainly guarantees a Final Six berth to them. As for Iran, this defeat definitely means a farewell to Lille tournament. Matthew Anderson put in 18 points (2 kill blocks, 3 aces). Milad Ebadipour and Porya Yali scored 13 points apiece for Iran.
POOL 16
Bulgaria vs. Brazil
Brazilian players would certainly want to completely erase Week 4 in Varna, Bulgaria, from their memories as they suffered all three defeats! The last time they lost three in a row was back in 2012! The home side, driven by backup Rozalin Penchev, who was entering as a substitute throughout four sets, was enlisted in the lineup for a deciding fifth set in which he posed himself as an enigma for Brazil’s defense. He was not the best scorer of Bulgaria today. It was Valentin Bratoev with 14 points while Wallace de Souza chipped in 22 points for the „Seleçao“ who currently walk on the wire when it comes to progressing to the Final Six (No.4, 8-4, 24 points). Maurício Borges set up 5 kill blocks.
France remained at the top of the rankings. It seems that „Les Bleus“ do not intend to give up on staying on that position until the very end of the pool stage despite the fact it will not bring them any advantages for the Final Six knowing they secured an automatic berth as the hosts. France extended their winning streak in the tournament to 6 games after beating Canada by a 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 24-26, 16-14), bouncing back from a 3-point deficit in the tie-break (1-4, 7-10). Jean Patry notched 20 points for France. Nicholas Hoag scored 23 points for Canada while Justin Duff made 4 kill blocks.
To see complete results, stats, and standings, visit our FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2018 / Male / Seniors page.
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I dont think people understand how affected this Brazilian team was affected by the negative news from their Government on pulling funding from sports teams and athletics in the country. it was a punch in the gut from a country that already is reeling with issues. Bruno was the one who publicly called the government out. Clearly he is affected. Its a darn shame.