In this post you find the video of the Press Conference after :

BRA SRB 3-2
(22-25, 25 23, 25-22, 23-25, 15-12)

Nikola Grbic
(SRB Captain)

Giba
(BRA Captain)

Igor Kolakovic
(SRB Coach)

Bernardinho
(BRA Coach)

To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi

Belgrade, July 26, 2009


As usual after the last match of the World League Final Six, I write a comment about the participating teams.

Below you can see the final standings with my personal opinion about the teams' performances.




+ means that they played BETTER than I expected
= means that they played EXACTLY as I expected
- means that they played WORSE than I expected

Of course, if anyone disagrees with my opinion, please be so kind as to send your reasons by email HERE



SERBIA  and BRAZIL

Let me wrap up together these two teams which played a great Gold medal match.
The first two sets were among the best I’ve ever seen in my career as a journalist.

I wrote yesterday that Serbia and Brazil are excellent in “ball control” and today they confirmed my opinion.
Can you imagine what happens when an outstanding “ball control” meets the enthusiasm, passion, willpower, fine tactical strategy in a huge venues packed with 22.680 spectators?
It happened yesterday and it was a unique spectacle.

Both teams performed BETTER THAN I EXPECTED during the Final Six and MUCH BETTER THAN I EXPECTED in the Final Match.

Brazil is a young team with only three experienced players (Giba, Sergio and Murilo). Notwithstanding they succeeded in making a few errors. The new players are taller and more able in block and attack but they put a lot of pressure on the opponents defending remarkably as well.
Bruno, the young setter, son of Bernardinho, leaded with calm and authority the team.
No need to say that the distinguishing Brazilian passion remained unchanged and this is their “secret” so far.

Regarding Serbia, all them strived for the best and they did a great job.
I think the team miss a spiker who could help Miljkovic sharing the attacker’s responsibilities. N. Grbic distributed with unpredictability exploiting his middle blockers but when the ball is off the net he is forced to set to Miljkovic. Ivan played a great match but it wasn’t enough to win the game.

Last but not least, I really felt what does it mean attend a match in Serbia, a country with an extraordinary team sport tradition: my ears are still aching!


RUSSIA

Russia played WORSE THAN I EXPECTED.

What is truly worrying about the present Russian condition is the feeling that nothing has changed in many years.
I don't want to criticize too much new coach Daniele Bagnoli because he only arrived a few months ago and he deserves more time to work with his players. Bagnoli's biggest issue is figuring out what kind of system best suits the Russian athletes.
They mustn't imitate the Brazilian squad, nor the U.S. team. They have to find, as soon as possible, their own way, knowing only too well that they can't rely too much on enthusiasm and passion (two features that are not very abundant in Russian players).

They could start from these considerations:

1) the players are stern and severe and cannot transform themselves too much
2) they have great physical talent and fine technique
3) they have to develop their game organization (above all in distribution and reconstruction) and they should look at the Serbian model, which is working very well. This model seems more suitable and applicable to them.

* To avoid any misunderstanding regarding my personal opinions, I have to acknowledge that the Russia squad is one the best teams in the world (3rd in the FIVB world rankings).

They won the World Cup in 1999 and at the 2000 Olympic Games they captured the silver medal.
Two years later, the Russians placed second at the 2006 World Championship.
They won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
They have finished among the World League top four 14 times in 18 participations, with one victory.
They gained a bronze and a silver medal in the 2005 and 2007 European Championships, respectively.

But considering their huge tradition and talent, they could have achieved even better results!


CUBA

I don't want repeat again how physically powerful the young Cuban players are because their strength is well known.
Therefore, I'll consider only their technical abilities and, above all, their attitude during the games. Technically speaking, the Cuban athletes have an ordinary individual technique but they are totally lacking of team organization.
I describe the Cuban team as one with "virtues and vices," which is something they have long been criticized for.
But in Belgrade, when the matches turned tough, I was surprised by the quarreling between the Caribbean players. The athletes started to blame each other and it wasn't a frank dispute to reach a deal but an outlet of responsibilities.
The arguments lasted until the beginning of the following rally and during the timeouts they were separated and not speaking.

Improving technically and tactically needs hard work and time, but putting an end to quarreling takes an instant: just stop blaming each other!


ARGENTINA

All Argentinean statements in Belgrade were marked by a sincere satisfaction of having for the first time reached the WL Final Six.
They performed brilliantly during the Intercontinental Round, gaining second place (behind Serbia) in their group and their two defeats in the Final Round won't bother Javier Weber (their Argentinean coach) too much.
The loss to Brazil was predictable but they lost a good chance against Cuba. In that match, they lost the third and fourth sets by two points (26-24) and they lost the crucial set because they couldn't deal with the Cuban serves.

HERE YOU CAN READ THE COMMENTARY OF THAT MATCH HERE:


Given that the Argentinean athletes aren't physically gifted (neither tall nor powerful) they have to rely only on their technical skills and emotional attitude. I'm afraid of they won't be able to remain among the world's top teams, as they are now, if they don't find one strong spiker in charge of hitting the most predictable balls.

However, I judge their performance AS I EXPECTED because the verdict is an average between a wonderful Intercontinental Round and an unsteady Final Six.


U.S.A.

The Beijing Olympic gold-medal winners lost both matches played in the 2009 WL Final Six, displaying only hints of their well-known system.
Because the new Olympic cycle started only a few months ago, the coaching staff reacted as positively as possible after two defeats.
They all are satisfied having reached the Final Six and the team's performances in Belgrade won't change their mood that much.
They know the route they have to follow to reach a competitive level and it seems that they are also aware of where they are now during this process.
Awareness won't guarantee success but it is crucial to avoid any energy wasting.

I have judged their performances here WORSE THAN I EXPECTED because they lost six straight sets: I would have judged their performances EXACTLY AS I EXPECTED if they had won at least a couple of frames.


Bye bye andrea zorzi

In this post you find the video of the Press Conference after :

RUS-CUB 3-0
(25-13, 26-24, 25-16)

Aties Roberlandy Simón
(CUB Captain)

Sergey Tetyukine
(RUS Captain)

Samuels Orlando Blackwood
(CUB Coach)

Daniele Bagnoli
(RUS Coach)

To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi

Belgrade, July 25, 2009

BRA-RUS 3-0
(25-17, 25-21, 25-21)

In the semifinal against Russia, Brazil confirmed the good organization of its new players. They serve well, spike and block efficiently, they dig and cover wonderfully to produce a lot of opportunities that they fully exploit by relying on their "second setter," who is always on the court.

An explanation is needed to understand what I mean by "second setter always on the court." The Brazilians keep developing a particular skill.
Sergio, their libero, is very gifted in overhand setting and for many years he has been in charge of managing the second touch when the setter is involved in the first one.

Usually, in those situations, the other teams need an instant to decide who, among the players on the court, will control the ball. Moreover, most teams manage those circumstances as an emergency and they keep away from any quick and risky attack solution.

Bernardinho solved this problem by exploiting the amazing speed and ability of Sergio. His teammates are ready to hit a wide range of attacks, included the quick hit on the net center or fast attack from the back row.

Many times I have seen Sergio working hard to deal with balls that ended in front of the three-meter line. Under regulations, is not allowed hitting an overhead set from a Libero stepping in front of the three-meter line.  However, if the Libero takes off by jumping out of the line and sets before landing, the attack is allowed.

Obviously, only a fully developed team can take advantage of this particular task and the current Brazilian team is a brilliant squad.

It's not easy to write something about Russia: They arrived on court with a inexcusable passive attitude that lasted until the end of the match.
I have written many times that playing technically or tactically poorly could depend on the opponent performance and it is acceptable. But playing with such a negative attitude is useless and also dangerous for a team that is trying to become steady and stable.


SERBIA-CUBA
(18-25, 25-13, 25-21, 27-25)

I love Volleyball teams distinguished by excellent "ball control" and Serbia belongs to this exclusive club.

Ball control displays itself differently in each fundamental and I will try to outline how we can identify it.

In the serve it is identifiable by the capability to be efficient with few errors. Switching without problems between the tactical serve to a powerful one and vice versa is a symptom of fine ball control.

In the reception and defense, smooth contact with the ball is the distinguishing sign. Athletes who move quickly while remaining in control of their bodies, the ability to slow the fastest balls, an attitude to make any situation better is all part in parcel of ball control.

Ball control in the block is recognizable when the players are late but they still succeed in making the attacks playable. And when they anticipate the opponent's choice, good blockers have a sort of instinct for the right timing and the right position.

On the attack, spikers with a "good hand" don't rely only on their physical skill but alternate with powerful hits, spikes off the block and soft touches over the block, to become much more unpredictable.

Yesterday, Serbia exhibited all these characteristics. All the Serbian players exhibit remarkable ball control and Serbia wholly deserved the victory in the second semifinal.

Cuba is not ready to battle with such developed teams yet.
As soon as possible, Cuba must set as its highest priority the development of ball control. If they succeed in getting better, they will become a dangerous opponent for all the world's best teams.

Bye bye andrea zorzi

In this post you find the video of the Press Conference after :

SRB-CUB 3-1
(18-25, 25-13, 25-21, 27-25)

Aties Roberlandy Simón
(CUB Captain)

Nikola Grbic
(SRB Captain)

Samuels Orlando Blackwood
(CUB Coach)

Igor Kolakovic
(SRB Coach)

To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi

In this post you find the video of the Press Conference after :

BRA-RUS 3-0
(25-17, 25-21, 25-21)

Sergey Tetyukine
(RUS Captain)

Giba
(BRA Captain)

Daniele Bagnoli
(RUS Coach)

Bernardinho
(BRA Coach)


To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi

In this post you find the video interview with:


Alan Knipe
US team Coach

I asked the following questions:

1. Would you be so kind as to introduce yourself?
2. Any other members of your family played Volley ball?
3. When did you start playing Volleyball?
4. Could you describe the US Volleyball environment?
5. US Volleyball players behave very professionally. Why?
6. Can you compare Men and Women’s US Volleyball situation?
7. Which are the biggest aims to make the US Men’s Volleyball even better?
8. Do you feel the pressure of being the new Coach of the Olympic Champions?
9. What is the most important victory of your career?
10. And the worst defeat?
11. Could you give a comment about the 2009 WL Final Six?
12. Will Priddy and Ball rejoin the national team?


To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi

In this post you find the video interview with:

Bruno Rezende
BRA setter



I asked the following questions:


1. Where and when were you born?
2. When did you start to play Volleyball?
3. Did you feel the pressure of a family with great Volleyball players?
4. Who was your first coach?
5. Were you talented since the beginning?
6. Was it a good choice?
7. Do you have any setter that you followed as a Model?
8. Are you more similar to Mauricio or Ricardo?
9. You stepped in the national team when Ricardo was excluded. Which was the worst memory about that period?
10. Did your father talk with you before calling you as the second setter?
11. Was the Beijing Olympic Final your worst defeat?
12. What is your feeling about the renewed Brazilian team?
13. Are you still practicing very hard?
14. What about your future?
15. How do you spend your spare time off the Volleyball?
16. Which are your expectations for the 2009 WL Final Six?
17. Do you know that Brazil is still considered the favourite?
18. Are Giba and Sergio working as hard as ever?


To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi

Belgrade, July 24, 2009


Given that Serbia and Russia had already qualified for the semifinals and Brazil got quickly through its match against Argentina, today I won’t post the usual commentary about the second-day games.

I will just report the results and a short note about the matches and then post a long video interview with Vladimir Grbic, brother of Nikola, gold medalist at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.



Today, Vladimir Grbic, known as Vania (this is the nickname used in East Europe for those named Vladimir) was in the Beogradska Arena to provide commentary for Serbian Television.

He is one of the most popular Serbian sportsmen and listening to his opinions about the sport, politics, the local peculiarities and the future helps provide a better understanding of this small but unique country.
Moreover, his typical expressions and his personal communicativeness are the best way to appreciate Vladimir, his brother Nikola, and also their father Milos, who passed away last September.

I warmly invite you to watch this video interview, which lasts 35 minutes.

Below you can find the questions I asked him


A brief note about:

BRA-ARG 3-0
(25-20, 25-22, 25-20)

In the second set, after Giba’s successful attack from the back row, Sergio shouted loudly: “Alleluja, Alleluja.”

After the match I met Sergio in the mix zone and I asked him why he cheered in that unusual way.
He said: “In the match against Cuba, Giba didn’t kill any Pipe (a back row attack from the center), that’s why I thought it deserved a special celebration.”

Giba countered the shouting by approaching Sergio and starting a friendly argument.


SRB-RUS 3-1
(23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25)

This was the thirteenth match played between Serbia and Russia in the World League history.
Russia won ten times and Serbia only three.

The first victory of N. Grbic and teammates was the last match of a WL International Round but in that circumstance the Russians played with the back up team.

The second Serbian success was much more significant because occurred last year in the WL Final Six Semifinal played in Rio de Janeiro.

The third one was the clear and deserved victory gained yesterday which could turn into a great chance to reach again the WL Final. I believe Cuba (the opponent in tomorrow semifinal) too young to be competitive at this level.

Who will play the Final with Serbia?

Uhmmm … I think Brazil….


These are the questions I asked Vladimir Grbic:

1) Would you be so kind as to introduce yourself?
2) Could you describe your city?
3) Serbians are excellent in many team sports. Why?
4) What is the meaning of “Big Serbia”?
5) Since when did you take an interest in studying history?
6) You played in many countries. Can you describe your experiences?
7) Where will you live in the future?
8) In your family there are many successful sportsmen. Please tell us about it.
9) Did your father decide that you would play as a spiker and your brother as a setter?
10) What are your thoughts on modern Volleyball?
11) What is the most important victory of your career?
12) What happened when you went back to Belgrade?
13) Did you model yourself after any player in particular?
14) Do you miss Volleyball?
15) You were well-known for your competitiveness on court. Do you have an outlet for that competitiveness now that you are retired?
16) Have you any close friends in other sports?
17) Please tell us your thoughts about the U.S. team.
18) Please tell us your thoughts about the Brazilian team.
19) Please tell us your thoughts about the Russian team.
20) Please tell us your thoughts about the Italian team.
21) Please tell us your thoughts about the Cuban team.
22) Please tell us your thoughts about the Japanese team.
23) Please tell us your thoughts about the Serbian team.
24) Are there any other strong teams I’ve missed?
25) Who will win the 2009 World League?
26) Who will win the 2009 European Men’s Championship?
27) Who will win the 2010 World Men’s Championship?


To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi 

 

In this post you find the video of the Press Conference after :

SRB-RUS 3-1
(23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 21-25)

Nikola Grbic
(SRB Captain)

Sergey Tetyukine
(RUS Captain)

Daniele Bagnoli
(RUS Coach)

Igor Kolakovic
(SRB Coach)


To watch the video click HERE or on the picture above

Bye bye andrea zorzi