The major surprises of the weekend caused China by winning with France and Poland by outclassing favorite Cuba. However the biggest emotions brought thrilling battle for the pole position in the pool B between Serbia and Italy.
In the pool A Netherlands didn’t keep up the pace and lost their first place to Brazil. Bulgaria claimed twice convincing victories in straight sets over Netherlands. Team coached by Silvano Prandi had an excellent performance in both defense and attack. With players like Vladimir Nikolov and Matey Kaziyski they had no problems to overcome the home site. Brazil easily won twice against Korea and in this way took the pole position in the pool, followed closely by Bulgaria. After the defeats with Bulgaria Netherlands are ranked as third.
World league 2010 complete results and ranking
Rivalry between Italy and Serbia caused a lot of emotions in the pool B. There was no favorite, both teams are in a great shape and got all the skills to beat everyone. Valerio Vermiglio is the best setter of this year edition of World League while Sasa Starovic is the best scorer. Both teams clashed twice in the thrilling and exciting games, played at the very high level which found the result in the tie-break. The first game was won by the visitors but Italians took the revenge in the second match. So basically Italy and Serbia remain at the same level and still we cannot predict which team is going to win the pool. So far Serbia with 15 points remains the leader, followed closely by Italy with 14 points. France caused the biggest disappointment of the weekend by losing the second game against China in front of its home audience. In this way Chinese team won its first game in this edition of World League.
There were no surprises in the pool C. Russia remains the leader of the pool, with six victories in a row. This guys of coach Daniele Bagnoli didn’t have any problems to beat twice Finland although there was a moment in the second game when Russians lost their concentration and Finns won a set. The reigning Olympic champions USA won twice 3-1 against Egypt and confirmed their second rank in the pool.
Poland caused the biggest surprise of the weekend by winning in straight sets the second game with favorite Cuba in front of their home audience. Until this match Cuba was unbeaten and team of coach Daniel Castellani in this way confirmed its will to fight for the Final Six. However it might be difficult while Cuba remains the leader of the pool with 13 points. Germany easily won twice with host of the Final Six, Argentina and in this way confirmed its second rank in the pool. Poland got back to the game after the very disappointing beginning of its participation in this year edition of World League and wants to climb in the standings further.
