The Menβs tournament at the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League began today, on Friday, May 28 2021 with a victory for France over Bulgaria 3-0 (27:25, 25:21, 25:23). In their first match in 16 months, the France National Team was better than the rivals even though they played without Earvin Ngapeth and JΓ©nia Grebennikov who were left on the stands by the decision of the head coach Laurent Tillie.
Jean Patry and Yacine Louati both scored 10 points in the winning side, while Tsvetan Sokolov put down 19 points for Bulgaria.
Kevin Tillie (FRA): βWe didnβt expect too much. We started all together not too long ago. We were focused on our game, we didnβt think about who we were playing against. The most important thing was to touch the ball and find our rhythm together as a team. We made a lot of mistakes during the match, but I think that at the end we managed to control the game and get a win. Itβs exciting to play with the national team again. We are all friends so itβs fun to play together every summer, we didnβt do that last summer, so now we are even more happy to be together again.β
Tsvetan Sokolov (BUL): βI think we lost this game in the first set, when it was 24-22. This was the moment we should have taken our chance and won the set. Afterwards, they found their rhythm and they started to play in different ways. We lost the first set and I think it was the most important part of this match. But also at the end we didnβt play well, France played better and they deserved the win. We need to take a rest, itβs just the beginning so we have to improve our game.β
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Deprived of the help of their injured captain Lukas Kampa, also Germany began the competition with a clear victory over Australia in straight sets (25:19, 25:18, 25:16), led by Christian Fromm, author of 15 points.
Christian Fromm (GER): βIβm very glad that we started like that, Iβm very proud of my team. We stayed focused on the game and we totally deserved this victory. We spiked very well, there are few details that we have to improve. We were all waiting a long long time for this, we had hard preparations to show our best volleyball here and I think we are on the right track.β
Nehemiah Mote (AUS): βIβm very pleased with the energy and efforts from the boys. We have a very different looking side, we have nine new faces, nine guys who havenβt played at the international level before. But they were definitely bringing energy. We need to stay a little bit more poised in those situations when it is quite tight and take our time. Especially in our service and so that we dictate our rhythm a little bit.β
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Strong start also for Japan, who take a three set victory over Iran in their opening match of the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, partially 25:19, 25:22, 26:24.
Just like their female colleagues, who finished the first week undefeated, Japan Men also stepped onto the winning paths. Led by Yuki Ishikawa (18 points), they stunned the rivals despite 15 points by Amir Ghafour 15 points and 4 blocks by Milad Ebadipour.
Yuki Ishikawa (JPN): βWe are very happy that we won our first game at the VNL 3-0. Winning this game gives us confidence, so we are really happy to start with such a good game. In the first set we were leading, so it was a great beginning. Then, we were a bit behind, but eventually we won. There are many strong teams at the VNL, so itβs really challenging to play against them.β
Milad Ebadipour (IRI): βJapan played amazing. In the first set we played really badly, then we improved, but they also started to play better. All around the world Japan is known for their amazing style of play, they play great in block-defence and also in spike. They are helping each other, they are a good example for other teams, especially in volleyball, of how to support each other on the court.β
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The Serbia National Team has started contesting in the competition in a victorious way, beating Slovenia in the replay of the finals of the last European Championship.
Serbia made their debut in the Rimini bubble in a good manner, losing the first set to Slovenia, but the turning point for the champions of Europe was the fantastic third set in which a total of 70 points was played. In the end, it was 3-1 (22:25, 25:18, 36:34, 25:18) for the team under the command of Slobodan KovaΔ, who will certainly be concerned over the seemingly serious injury of SreΔko Lisinac in the first set after which he didnβt return to the court. DraΕΎen LuburiΔ top-scored Serbia with 29 points, while UroΕ‘ KovaΔeviΔ and Marko PodraΕ‘Δanin made 4 blocks each.
Tine Urnaut (Slovenia): βIt was a tough match. I think that at some point both teams were doing a really good job in sideout, both teams had an opportunity to close the third set. We didnβt use this chance and Serbia won this set. After that it was difficult for us to come back, but all in all for the first match we did some good stuff. We found some things that we need to improve on and we need to do it to play more consistently on top level.β
Drazen Luboric (Serbia): βIβm glad that we won because in these kinds of tournaments itβs important to win the first game. Slovenia is also one of the best teams here β we played the EuroVolley 2019 final against each other. Iβm really glad. We were all excited to come here as itβs a nice place. After a one year break we just want to play good volleyball.β
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Abdel-Aziz canβt play alone against Russia: the Dutch National Team relied heavily on their bomber against a fierce rival, but that was enough only to rip one set off the titleholders. One of the best opposite in the world scored 29 points including as many as 6 aces, while Maksim Mikhaylov scored 24 points and Ilia Vlasov 6 blocks for the winners.
Nimir Abdel Aziz (The Netherlands): βIt was a difficult opponent, but also a nice one to start the tournament with. We are new at the VNL, we get the chance to play against great teams and Russia is one of the best teams in the world. We have some young guys in our team, who never played in our National Team before, so I think that starting the tournament against Russia and playing like we did was a good beginning β of course we lost the game, but we showed a good level of volleyball. We never gave up, even in the first set when it was difficult.β
Maxim Mikhaylov (Russia): βWe knew that the Netherlands are a strong team and that we must play well but we have a lot of room for improvement. We saw our mistakes and we have to correct some elements.β
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The USA, the 2019 runners-up, swept Canada in the NORCECA classic, being cornered in the second set but rather easily taking first and second sets: 3-0 (25:17, 26:24, 25:20). Torey Defalco stood out in the US squad with 15 points.
John Gordon Perrin (Canada): βWe havenβt practiced at this gym, so the experience of lights and everything is a little bit strange for everybody. We could offence a little bit more and sharpen up our offence and sideout game. Itβs a different event than any other, but itβs good to be back and play volleyball with my Canadian teammates. Itβs always a big passion to play for your home country flag and with your friends.β
Micah Christenson (USA): βI am super proud of the way we came into the game. It was a pleasant surprise to win this game 3-0 against Canada. Iβm very excited about how we performed and we hope to get better for another week or rather a month. Itβs so nice to put on the National Team jersey and to play with your teammates from your home country is something very special. To do it in an environment like this one, run so smoothly, itβs like a blessing to be back.β
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Poland started their Nations League campaign with a solid straight-set win over hosts Italy.
In a duel of big rivals, there were no dilemmas regarding the winners, who had no major problems with Italy: 3-0 (25:19, 25:20, 25:18). Maciej Muzaj was Polandβs most prolific player with 14 points, while Karol KΕos had 5 blocks.
Riccardo Sbertoli (Italy): βIt was a difficult game. We had a demanding opponent, as Poland are one of the best teams in this competition. Our concept for this match was to play many long rallies, but we made too many own mistakes, especially in service. We have to work a little bit better in this skill tomorrow.β
Maciej Muzaj (Poland): βItβs a really good start for us. Itβs important to start with a victory to accelerate through the tournament. I hope that next victories are ahead of us. There are many things we can improve. I think in every small thing we can improve: in reception, attack and service β we made a few mistakes which we shouldnβt have.β
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Close the picture the match between Brazil and Argentina.
Even though they prevailed in straight sets in the South American classic, Brazilβs win over Argentina was everything but easy, as they were pushed to the limits in the first two sets which went in the βovertimeβ. Ricardo Lucarelli highlighted Olympic champions with 14 points. Partially it was 31:29, 26:24, 25:16.
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FIVB VNL 2021 β Results & Program
ππΌ May 28, 2021 β
France β Bulgaria 3-0 (27:25, 25:21, 25:23)
Germany β Australia 3-0 (25:19, 25:18, 25:16)
Japan β Iran 3-0 (25:19, 25:22, 26:24)
Serbia β Slovenia 3-1 (22:25, 25:18, 36:34, 25:18)
The Netherlands β Russia 1-3 (19:25, 22:25, 25:18, 20:25)
USA β Canada 3-0 (25:17, 26:24, 25:20)
Poland β Italy 3-0 (25:19, 25:20, 25:18)
Brazil β Argentina 3-0 (31:29, 26:24, 25:16)
ππΌ Standings: France 3, Germany 3, Japan 3, USA 3, Poland 3, Brazil 3, Serbia 3, Russia 3, Slovenia 0, The Netherlands 0, Bulgaria 0, Australia 0, Iran 0, Canada 0, Italy 0, Argentina 0.
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May 29, 2021 β
Germany β France 2-3 (25:22, 22:25, 25:22, 16:25, 15:17)
Iran β Russia 1-3 (17:25, 25:20, 20:25, 17:25)
The Netherlands β Japan 2-3 (25:22, 25:23, 22:25, 17:25, 8:15)
Australia β Bulgaria 0:3 (21:25, 20:25, 20:25)
Poland β Serbia 3-1 (26:24, 25:19, 21:25, 25:15)
Italy β Slovenia 0-3 (23:25, 19:25, 15:25)
Argentina β Canada 0-3 (17:25, 21:25, 17:25)
USA β Brazil 0-3 (22:25, 23:25, 19:25)
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May 30, 2021 β
Australia β France 1-3 (26:28, 25:20, 14:25, 23:25)
The Netherlands β Iran 0-3 (18:25 23:25, 28:30)
Germany β Bulgaria 3-2 (19:25, 25:21, 22:25, 30:28, 15:11)
Russia β Japan 2-3 (26:28, 28:26, 25:20, 21:25, 14:16)
USA β Argentina 3-1 (23:25, 25:21, 25:15, 25:19)
Canada β Brazil 1-3 (17:25, 20:25, 25:22, 25:27)
Poland β Slovenia 1-3 (22:25, 25:23, 19:25, 23:25)
Serbia β Italy 3-1 (25:23, 22:25, 25:22, 25:18)
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June 3, 2021 β
Germany β Argentina 2-3 (19:25, 25:23, 25:17, 23:25, 13:15)
Iran β Canada 3-1 (22:25, 25:22, 25:22, 25:22)
Japan β Serbia 1-3 (25:18, 23:25, 22:25, 13:25)
Brazil β France 0-3 (37:39, 18:25, 28:30)
The Netherlands β Slovenia 0-3 (18:25, 15:25, 18:25)
Australia β Poland 0-3 (16:25, 10:25, 12:25)
Italy β Bulgaria 3-2 (25:19, 20:25, 25:13, 23:25, 15:12)
Russia β USA 3-1 (25:22, 25:19, 17:25, 25:19)
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June 4, 2021 β
Argentina β Slovenia 0-3 (19:25, 22:25, 18:25)
The Netherlands β Germany 3-2 (25:18, 23:25, 25:20, 23:25, 15:13)
Brazil β Japan 3-0 (25:20, 25:16, 25:20)
Serbia β France 3-2 (22:25, 24:26, 25:22, 25:23, 15:9)
Iran β Italy 3-1 (26:24, 29:27, 21:25, 25:22)
Poland β USA 3-0 (25:17, 28:26, 25:17)
Russia β Australia 3-0 (25:19, 26:24, 25:21)
Canada β Bulgaria 3-0 (28:26, 25:23, 25:16)
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June 5, 2021 β
The Netherlands β Argentina 0-3 (19:25, 20:25, 23:25)
Slovenia β Germany 1-3 (25:19, 20:25, 21:25, 20:25)
France β Japan 3-2 (21:25, 25:22, 24:26, 25:21, 15:11)
Brazil β Serbia 3-1 (23:25, 25:23, 25:15, 25:22)
Russia β Poland 1-3 (25:21, 19:25, 19:25, 14:25)
USA β Australia 3-0 (25:23, 25:20, 25:17)
Bulgaria β Iran 0-3 (20:25, 31:33, 22:25)
Canada β Italy 2-3 (19:25, 21:25, 25:21, 28:26, 11:15)
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June 9, 2021 β
Serbia β Germany 3-1 (19:25, 25:22, 25:18, 25:15)
Japan β Australia 3-1 (25:18, 21:25, 28:26, 26:24)
France β Russia 3-1 (22:25, 25:18, 30:28, 25:19)
Slovenia β Canada 3-0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:22)
Argentina β Italy 0-3 (28:30, 21:25, 20:25)
Iran β USA 3-0 (25:19, 25-23, 25:23)
Poland β Bulgaria 3-0 (25:19, 25:15, 25:12)
The Netherlands β Brazil 0-3 (19:25, 22:25, 25:27)
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June 10, 2021 β
Serbia β Iran 3-2 (21:25, 25:15, 26:28, 25:22, 15:8)
Russia β Canada 3-1 (25:18, 25:18, 23:25, 25:23)
France β Slovenia 2-3 (25:17, 25:19, 23:25, 19:25, 9:15)
Argentina β Australia 3-0 (25:18, 25:19, 25:20)
Germany β USA 0-3 (12:25, 18:25, 27:29)
Bulgaria β Brazil 0-3 (16:25, 22:25, 12:25)
Japan β Italy 3-2 (21:25, 25:22, 22:25, 25:19, 15:9)
Poland β The Netherlands 3-0 (25:14, 25:17, 25:16)
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June 11, 2021 β
Iran β Germany 2-3 (25:23, 20:25, 19:25, 25:19, 13:15)
Slovenia β Russia 3-2 (19:25, 25:23, 22:25, 25:20, 15:8)
Japan β Argentina 1-3 (32:30, 16:25, 18:25, 21:25)
The Netherlands β Bulgaria 2-3 (18:25, 25:18, 25:17, 22:25, 13:15)
Australia β Italy 0-3 (20:25, 22:25, 14:25)
USA β Serbia 1-3 (23:25, 17:25, 25:19, 25:27)
Canada β France 1-3 (25:20, 21:25, 22:25, 17:25)
Poland β Brazil 0-3 (17:25, 26:28, 19:25)
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June 15, 2021 β
Russia β Serbia 3-1 (25:23, 25:22, 22:25, 25:21)
Iran β Australia 2-3 (23,25, 22:25, 25:23, 25:18, 12:15)
Argentina β Bulgaria 3-1 (25:20, 16:25, 25:18, 25:18)
Japan β Germany 3-0 (25:18, 25:22, 25:20)
Italy β USA 0-3 (15:25, 18:25, 21:25)
Canada β Poland 0-3 (22:25, 23:25, 19:25)
Brazil β Slovenia 3-2 (15:25, 25:22, 19:25, 25:13, 15:12)
The Netherlands β France 3-2 (15:25, 22:25, 28:26, 25:23, 19:17)
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June 16, 2021 β
Argentina β Russia 1-3 (19:25, 23:25, 25:21, 19:25)
Serbia β Bulgaria 3-0 (25:20, 25:17, 25:17)
Slovenia β Australia 3-1 (18:25, 25:18, 25:18, 25:17)
Japan β Poland 0-3 (14:25, 18:25, 19:25)
The Netherlands β Italy 1-3 (19:25, 23:25, 25:23, 21:25)
Canada β Germany 3-0 (25:17, 26:24, 25:21)
USA β France 1-3 (23:25, 25:22, 29:31, 22:25)
Iran β Brazil 1-3 (19:25, 25:23, 19:25, 21:25)
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June 17, 2021 β
Argentina β Serbia 3-0 (27:25, 25:20, 26:24)
Bulgaria β Russia 0-3 (17:25, 22:25, 17:25)
Japan β Canada 0-3 (22:25, 23:25, 18:25)
Australia β Brazil 0-3 (17:25, 22:25, 12:25)
Iran β Slovenia 1-3 (25:14, 20:25, 19:25, 30:32)
The Netherlands β USA 2-3 (25:21, 17:25, 25:23, 15:25, 13:15)
France β Italy 2-3 (19:25, 25:22, 20:25, 25:21, 12:15)
Germany β Poland 0-3 (22:25, 19:25, 20:25)
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June 21, 2021 β
Australia β Serbia 1-3 (16:25, 13:25, 25:19, 15:25)
Japan β Bulgaria 3-0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:14)
France β Iran 3-0 (25:21, 25:21, 25:19)
Canada β The Netherlands 3-0 (25:16, 25:16, 25:19)
Brazil β Italy 3-1 (25:19, 32:30, 22:25, 25:20)
Slovenia β USA 3-2 (28:30, 25:19, 21:25, 28:26, 15:13)
Poland β Argentina 3-0 (25:21, 25:22, 25:18)
Germany β Russia 1-3 (18:25, 18:25, 25:23, 15:25)
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June 22, 2021 β
Canada β Australia 3-0 (25:17, 25:8, 25:20)
Serbia β The Netherlands 3-2 (25:21, 21:25, 25:18, 21:25, 17:15)
Bulgaria β USA 0-3 (19:25, 24:26, 9:25)
Iran β Poland 0-3 (20:25, 20:25, 16:25)
Japan β Slovenia 0-3 (16:25, 16:25, 26:28)
France β Argentina 3-0 (26:24, 25:21, 25:22)
Brazil β Germany 3-0 (25:21, 25:21, 25:23)
Russia β Italy 3-2 (25:21, 16:25, 25:17, 19:25, 15:12)
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June 23, 2021 β
Australia β The Netherlands 0-3 (23:25, 19:25, 19:25)
Canada β Serbia 3-2 (17:25, 21:25, 25:17, 25:20, 17:15)
USA β Japan 3-0 (25:21, 25:23, 25:20)
France β Poland 3-2 (25:22, 21:25, 22:25, 25:20, 15:11)
Iran β Argentina 1-3 (31:33, 23:25, 32:30, 18:25)
Slovenia β Bulgaria 3-0 (25:23, 25:16, 25:18)
Italy β Germany 3-2 (25:12, 24:26, 25:22, 21:25, 15:13)
Brazil β Russia 0-3 (21:25, 26:28, 20:25)
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June 26, 2021 β
Semifinal 1: Brazil β France 3-0 (25:20, 25:18, 25:19)
Semifinal 2: Poland β Slovenia 3-0 (25:22, 25:21, 25:23)
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June 27, 2021 β
Final 3/4: France β Slovenia 3-0 (25:20, 25:18, 25:19)
Final 1/2: Brazil β Poland 3-1 (22:25, 25:23, 25:16, 25:14)
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Source and Photos: FIVB