The 2021 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League is truly picking up pace at Italy's Adriatic resort of Rimini, as Day 2 of the competition provided some remarkable performances and produced intriguing results that promise a thrilling month ahead.
VNL 2021
High drama in VNL tie-breaks, comebacks and records
Men's competition provides amazing thrills on Day 2
Published 04:29, 30 May 2021
Yoandy Leal stuffs USA's Benjamin Patch as he leads Brazil to back-to-back straight-set wins at the 2021 VNL.
At the end of the day, only five out of the 16 teams remain undefeated, with Brazil leading the standings - the only side not to have dropped a set.
The highlight of the day was surely Wilfredo Leon's 13 aces which blew to smithereens the VNL serving records. The Cuba-born Poland outside hitter scored 26 points overall as he helped Poland double their wins with a four-set domination of Serbia.
There had been more drama earlier in the day, when Japan totally turned the game around and came back from two sets down to edge the Netherlands and stay undefeated.
Ran Takahashi with 26 points matched Nimir Abdel-Aziz's 25, but the Dutch proved too impatient in countering Japan's digging and conceded as many as 36 unforced errors.
Still, it is Abdel-Aziz who sits at the top of the best scorers ranking after Day 2 of the competition, already building up a wide lead over Takahashi and Russia's Maxim Mikhaylov.
Meanwhile, Russia also remain on full points after a four-set win over Iran (with Vladimir Alekno coaching the Asian side against his former team).
Mikhaylov again provided the solutions for Russia and with 22 points points added to his tally now sits second in the best scorers table.
Russia's scoring machine Maxim Mikhaylov brought in 22 points against Iran.
For France, Benjamin Toniutti was back on setting duties (after having sat out the opening day) as they outlasted a German onslaught, with Trevor Clevenot serving three back-to-back aces in the tie-break to get France in the game and set up a a very dramatic end to the match.
Watch the video highlights to see how the epic last point was won, as Clevenot finished with a match high of 21 points and Stephen Boyer added another 20 for France.
But there was no question as to who was in control in the closing match of the day, as Brazil brushed USA aside, handing the 2019 silver medallists their first defeat of the tournament - despite Benjamin Patch getting the match high of 18 points.
In other VNL action on Saturday, Canada beat Argentina, Bulgaria downed Australia and Slovenia swept Italy - all in straight sets for their first victories in the tournament.
