It´s time for the semifinals of the 2009 World League at Belgrade Arena (Beogradska Arena), where Brazil, Cuba, Russia and host Serbia entered the medal matches.
Russia and Brazil meet in the first Final Four encounter, while Serbia and Cuba will play the late match at 8:30 p.m. It will be the fourth semifinal appearance in a row for Russia after two years away from the World League in 2004 and 2005. Brazil, meanwhile, has reached the semis every year since 1999. Cuba won bronze in 2005, but hasn´t cracked the Final Four since. Serbia brushed off a disappointing 9th place in 2007 with a silver medal last year in the Rio de Janeiro finals.
Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20) to secure first place in Pool F at the 2009 World League Final Six tournament on Friday. Brazil needed only 22 minutes to win the first set and while Argentina showed great desire in the second frame, their valiant effort was still not enough as they fell two sets in the hole with a 25-22 loss. Brazil wrapped up the match with a 25-20 third-set win to send Argentina packing from the tournament while cementing their credentials as the team to beat in the semifinals, which begin Saturday.
“Every time we play against Argentina it is so difficult,” said Brazilian captain Giba in the press conference following the match. “They have good defense and are a good attacking team and we have to be careful playing them. I think we were concentrated on how dangerous they are and we played well, better than yesterday.”
A prestigious match between two great opponents, Serbia and Russia, decided first place in Pool E with both teams already secure in the knowledge that they had obtained berths in the 2009 World League semifinals. Serbia beat Russia 3-1 (25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21) to finish first the Pool and set up a meeting with Cuba, while Russia will have the daunting task of playing Brazil for a shot at reaching the final.
“I have to say Serbia played tonight with all its heart and soul,” said proud Serbian coach Igor Kolakovic. “And a very important factor was this wonderful audience in the arena. The crowd raised us. I am very pleased how we played toward the end of each set, we didn’t quit at any point.”
World League 2009 results and ranking
from FIVB