Reigning champs still on track to defend VNL title

Reigning two-time FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League champions Russia, the only gold medallists in the history of the competition, are still in contention for a third consecutive trophy.

After the first three weeks of the 2021 VNL, their 5-4 win-loss record put the Russians closer to the middle of the table (seventh in the standings) than to the cut-off line for making the Finals. However, in Week 4, coach Tuomas Sammelvuo’s team collected three three-pointers and shot up to fourth place in the standings and a good chance of qualifying for the semifinals, with three games to play.

Russia’s fourth batch of three matches started with a four-set victory over reigning European champions Serbia, but although some Russian media called it “Russia’s most brilliant match of the tournament,” coach Sammelvuo was still not completely satisfied with his team’s performance.

“We did not start the match well. We struggled with our side-out. But we stayed patient and, point by point, we came back,” he said. “Of course, there are always things that we can do better, but perfect doesn’t exist and the results can be achieved and should be achieved even when not everything is perfect, because the result is important! We just keep working, staying together and trying to improve...”

“It was important to win this game, because it gives us confidence and positive energy,” said star opposite Maxim Mikhaylov who scored the match high of 23 points.

Inspired by the victory, Russia stayed on the winning track the following day and achieved another four-set success, this time over Argentina’s squad, just weeks before the two sides meet again at the Olympics.

“Argentina are a very inconvenient opponent for us, but we found a solution with our serving,” said Russia setter and captain Igor Kobzar. “Everyone who took part made a contribution and even those who did not play a lot gave their very important emotional support towards an important win. We are already preparing for the next game...”

In the next game, the Russians produced a three-set blowout of a young Bulgarian side, improved to 8-4, and stepped up to the fourth place in the standings, edging fifth-placed France on set ratio and four points clear of sixth-placed Serbia.

“We dominated in every skill - serve, attack, block, defence, reception. It all worked well, we showed complete volleyball,” Kobzar commented.

“We played as a team and outplayed Bulgaria in all components,” two-time VNL Dream Teamer and top scorer against Bulgaria Dmitry Volkov confirmed. “Now it is important for us to improve our communication as well.”

Russia have three more games to play in the race for the four spots in the Finals. From Monday through Wednesday, they will take on Germany, Italy and Brazil, in that order.

There is room to improve our game, to develop and grow,” Russian star Dmitriy Muserskiy told Izvestia. “But gradually we are moving in the right direction.”