Kraljevo, Serbia, May 26, 2018. Serbia take their first win of the new Volleyball Nations League against a resilient Germany with Drazen Luburic scoring 21 points, excelling in attack from both front and back court. After going a set down, the home side started to fire up the crowd and slowly took control by attacking through all channels to secure a 3-1 win (19-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-14).
With the teams being 10th (GER) and 11th (SRB) in the world ranking it was always going to be close, but the changes made by both coaches led to a quite unpredictable match. Coming into the game Serbia were on a five-match losing streak at major world level and despite a sluggish start it was evident they were keen to put that behind them. Coming from the bench, captain Marko Ivovic led his side showing composure at key times, but the star man was top scoring Drazen Luburic and all eyes will be on tomorrow to see who starts as Opposite Hitter in their next match.
Uros Kovacevic also excelled throughout with 17 points, but he did get lucky after a comical moment provided him with an ace when one of his serves was going a long way wide but hit a retreating Simon Hirsch who could not get out of the way in time. Another standout player was Srecko Lisinac who produced a couple of stunning middle attacks, often grounding the ball inside the German three meter area.
With only Tobias Krick and Lukas Kampa keeping their starting slots after the loss the previous day to Italy, they will have been pleased with the start they made. However, their level could not be sustained and Serbia soon found their rhythm. Germany have now lost successive major world level matches for the first time since 2016. With only two players reaching double figures in points, and no-one scoring more than the 11 scored by Daniel Malescha, the German attack was often stifled by the Serbian block defence.
Serbia now lead the series between the two teams 6-4 in major world level encounters and will go into tomorrow’s match against Italy a little more confident but knowing a win is needed if they are too seriously challenge in the Volleyball National League this season. Germany will face Brazil in the early match and will hope that they can turn their fortunes around against the Olympic champions.
With the first set score 11-5 to the away side, Nikola Grbić decided he had seen enough and brought his captain on through position 4. There was an instant response but it only lasted a few points and before they knew it Germany had 9 set points to take the first set. Serbia saved a number of them making ominous signs of what was to come in the 2nd set, but Germany held out and took the opener 25-19.
Serbia started like a different team in the second set, keeping their captain on the court to steer the ship. With Srecko Lisinac starting to get into the game after not getting any of the ball in the first set Serbia started to show their quality leading 16-13 at the second technical. A sollid serving run from the Serbian captain saw them extend their lead and Germany brought on Marcus Böhme to try and regain control of the middle of the net, but it was his two consecutive aces which initially caught the eye. In the end, the Serbian lead was too much and they levelled the match.
Andrea Giani started with Böhme in the third set knowing he had to provide more blocking threat to the Serbian attack and with him and Tobias Krick through the middle it worked as Germans hands got on a lot more of the ball helping their defence work around it. Serbia brought on Petar Krsmanovic for his first Volleyball Nations League action and he went on a strong serving run and grasped control of the set for the home side. In a set were Serbia doubled the attack points of Germany, they ran our worthy winners to 16 points.
Germany's coach rang the changes for the fourth set looking to force the deciding set. He could also be heard demanding more variety from his servers and attackers at a time out, but it was not to be as the home crowd cheered on their side to an important victory, dominating the final set 25-14.