After five years out of FIVB Volleyball World League, Egypt won group 3 when in a not for the faint-hearted game, beat a great Montenegro Team (20-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 9-15). Both teams looked had some chances as they have both won 6 games out of 7 before the final match.
Egypt serve was the clue to the victory as they dominated 9-4 in aces and also caused troubles to Montenegro’s reception. Also, left handed captain Ahmed Abdelhay was an important factor in the match as he had added 22 points. Mohamed Masoud helped with 3 block points (11 in total) and Abd Elhalim Mohamed Abou with 14 points, two out of them came by service aces.
One important situation that Egypt faced and succeded in was when Abdallah Bekhit injured his leg muscle and had to be substituted when the score was 20-17. Egypt finally won the set 25-23, but he was not able to come back on the court. For Montenegro, Vojin Cacic made 22 points and Miloš Culafic finished with 16, 5 out of them from blocks.
Thanks to this win, Egypt will compete in Group 2 from the next season on.
The third place in Group 3 Finals of FIVB World League goes to the team Slovakia. In a rematch of last year game for bronze, the team guided by the Italian coach Flavio Gulinelli beat China in five sets: 2-3 (25-17, 28-26, 20-25, 27-29, 13-15). Slovakia turned the score from two sets down. Ironically they lost four times from two sets up in Intercontinental round, twice against China. (This part courtesy of FIVB news)
Group 3 final standings (Provided by FIVB)
1st place: Egypt
2nd place: Montenegro
3rd place: Slovakia
4th place: China
5th place: Spain, Greece, Turkey
8th place: Kazakhstan, Puerto Rico
10th place: Mexico, Tunisia, Venezuela
In Group 2, France (12-0), Belgium (10-2), Bulgaria (8-4) & Argentina (7-5) will fight to enter in the first level of the competition next year and to gain a spot in the finals in Brazil. The finals will take place this weekend in Varna, Bulgaria and I consider France as the team who could qualify for Group 1 and the upcoming finals in Group 1. The performance of the French team in this tournament and in the World Championship last year called my attention. But this is a short final tournament and everything could happen.
The head coach of Bulgarian national volleyball team Plamen Konstantinov said during the official press conference before the Final Four, that their main goal is to win the finals.
“Our main goal is to win the final tournament in Group 2 of the World League. I hope we could do it well. The fans who will be in the sports hall also would cheer up for us and this could be a factor in our favor. The teams participating in this tournament are close as results to each other and this means that everything could happen. I hope that playing in front of our own supporters will help us and each player will give his best to achieve the common goal”, Konstantinov said.
In Group 1 we all expect a two ground fierce battle. One with Poland, Serbia and Italy. The other with Brazil, USA and the winner of group 2. (France, Belgium, Bulgaria or Argentina).
Next week you could read my comparisons regarding the 2015 WLVB Finals. Untill then, let’s enjoy the upcoming FIVB Volleyball World League weekend!
