Obviously USA and Russia are favorites but Finland is a team which can beat and lose with every team and doesn’t fear of any competitor.

 

 

USA, Russia, Finland and Egypt will fight in the pool C for the promoting to final six of the World League. Reigning Olympic champions – USA, don’t have nice memories from the last edition of the World League. They were facing some serious problems and finished the competition on the 6th place, far from the expectations of their fans. However this year USA built strong team and it might achieve a great result. Especially rivalry between USA and Russia should be thrilling.

Due to retirement of the older players and some health problems of the key players coach Daniele Bagnoli will be playing with some youngsters like Dmitry Ilinykh, Dmitri Musersky and Denis Birukov, who showed their abilities in the Russian league play-offs. Russians are playing without Alexey Verbov who is expected to join the team later and Pavel Abramov who after the stunning season spent in Poland is having now some health problems. Also Finland will be playing with renewed team. Coach Mauro Berutto decided to give a chance to play in the national team to some young players like 20-years old setter Eemi Tervaporti and Jani Sippola. Finland proved last year that even without megastars on board it can beat every team by winning with Brazil. We should expect tough and exciting game by the Finnish team.