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No 116 July 2003 English edition F É D É R ATION INTERNATIONALE DE VOLLEYBALL FIVB $15 million World League: A superb climax to a superb edition of an enormously courageous encounter. It was a superb climax to a superb 14th edition. Brazil and Serbia and Montenegro represent two quite distinct styles of play, with Brazil, somewhat smaller in stature, relying on superb technical skills and game tactics, while Serbia and Montenegro represent a unique combination of athleticism, fighting spirit and a never-say-die approach that guarantees it will be thrilling until the final whistle. Both teams exited the tournament occupying first and second place in the FIVB World Rankings and after their first-ever clash in the final of a major international competition, with enormous respect for each other. Brazil was the winner, but in such a tiebreaker, where match points were traded with unprecedented ferocity, they left the court acutely aware of how close Serbia and Montenegro came to stealing Vistalegre in Madrid Brazil celebrate their 2003 World League title at the Palacio their glorious moment. But as well as a superb final, the 14th edi- When the world's two best teams clash in "Sometimes in such a tiebreak tion brought with it some surprises. the final of the elite men's annual maybe there should be a point Newcomers the Czech Republic, who, volleyball tournament, it is bound to be where we put up our hands and together with Bulgaria, were late starters spectacular. But when Brazil met Serbia declare both teams the winner. But to the 14th edition after coming in to and Montenegro in the final of the 14th sport is not like that and replace Argentina and China. They not edition the result was more than spectac- neverthless I want to say that only won their Intercontinental Round ular and produced almost two hours of Serbia and Montenegro are Pool convincingly, but then blazed a trail electrifying volleyball. It was a match great champions." through to the semifinals before finally that Spain, the hosts, and millions around being beaten by volleyball powerhouse the world will think of as one of the Italy. Bulgaria, coming back to the World greatest matches ever. The final was contested at Madrid's League after a four-year absence and Palacio Vistalegre, a venue also used for looking in superb athletic form did not Brazil triumphed in the end, prompting bullfighting that has seen its share of make the final four but went out in a wild celebrations among the team and monumental clashes and drama. Spanish blaze of glory when they eliminated spectators as their captain, Nalbert fans, who well supported their own title-holders Russia in the last match of Bitencourt, raced across the court, leapt team, which, led by the charismatic their preliminary pool. onto a reporter's work bench and saluted Rafael (Rafa) Pascual, finished in a the Brazilian fans who had dressed for creditable fifth place, came out in force to The World League, for the 16 participat- the carnival and come out in force to urge celebrate the final. Joined by a large ing teams, has evolved into an their team to glory. contingent of colorful Brazilians, they essential annual competition contrived to make the rafters ring, while and continues to be a unique When the music and wild cheering had jugglers, break dancers, entertainers and opportunity for them all to died down a tone and the players had Spain's own Little Black Bull "Torito" all meet in top competition. begun to realize what they had achieved, contributed to the carnival atmosphere. Brazil's coach Bernardo Rezende put the www.fivb.org/ victory of the World Champions over the The match went to arguably the most Olympic champions in perfect context thrilling tiebreaker ever with Brazil For more news and updates visit when he said: finally prevailing 31-29 after 111 minutes our website at: www. fivb.org/ Find out more at www.fivb.org V O L L E Y B A L L 2003 WORLD LEAGUE PHOTO GALLERY Brazilian supporters in the crowd Over 10, 000 spectators turned up at the Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid for the 2003 World League finals Brazil celebrate their triumph! Nalbert spikes into Goran Vujevic, Andrija Geric and Serbia and Montenegro captain Nikola Grbic Luis Pedro Suela from Spain receives Skills Awards: Top scorer: Ivan Miljkovic, Serbia and Montenegro Brazilian captain Nalbert Bitencourt Top spiker: with the honours Celebration time for Brazil Martin Lebl, Czech Republic Top blocker: Andrija Geric, Serbia and Montenegro Top server: Andrija Geric, Serbia and Montenegro Final Round Standings www.fivb.org/ So close: A hugely disappointed Top spiker: Martin Lebl of the Czech Download X-Press electronically Slobodan Boskan Republic unleashes another spike (Serbia and Montenegro) against Alessandro Fei (Italy) from our website at: www. fivb.org/ 2 FIVB X-Press No 116 July 2003 FIVB V O L L E Y B A L L successful World Championship in Ger- many, where Russia finished third, FIVB WORLD GRAND PRIX FROM JULY 21- AUGUST 3 clearly showed, so Russia, for one, will be aiming to return to the top of the winner's podium again in August. One of the favorites to challenge Russia's supremacy are the hosts Italy. The first- time world champions will of course be tough to beat with the advan- tage of playing at home but coming off the back of their fantastic World Champi- onship triumph in Germany last year they will also be out to prove they are no one-hit wonders. The likes of the USA, China (runner's up for the past two years) and Brazil are all expected to be in the running for the $1 Million prize package while Germany, following their third place last year, should also not be taken lightly. Italy, last year’s World Champions will have the opportunity to perform well at home in this year's World Grand Prix From July 21 to August 3, Italy will be the of the most important annual women's theatre of dreams for the elite of women's event being hosted for the first time volleyball when the 2003 World Grand outside of Asia. Prix takes place in three gorgeous cities Matera, Gioia del Colle and Andria. With the number of teams also having increased from eight to 12, it is set to be a fantastic spectacle with the new compe- tition format allowing for even more of the world's top teams to pit their skills against each other in top-flight competition and the new venue in Italy will allow the passion, excellence and fever of the World Grand Prix to unravel on European soil. The FIVB President Rubén Acosta said the decision to move the World Grand Top action guaranteed in Prix due to the SARS epidemic wasn't the 2003 World Grand Prix easy. "Given our great respect for our traditional hosts, it was a difficult decision," said President Acosta. "Our Cuba, USA, Italy, Germany, the first duty was to act responsibly from the Netherlands and Japan will play in Pool overall health perspective, but we also A while Thailand, Brazil, China, Canada, have a strong responsibility to the best Korea and Russia face off in Pool women's teams in the world." B. Following the round robin pool play, the top three teams from each pool will A map of Southern Italy showing the Now everyone involved in the join together to play off against each three competition cities tournament is looking forward to other in a final pool where the team with another volleyball extravaganza with the most victories will walk away with this year's event due to be another the coveted title of World Grand Prix The stunningly attractive Matera and excellent demonstration of the quality of champion for 2003. Gioia del Colle will play host to 12 of the women's volleyball in this crucial best teams in women's volleyball in pre-Olympic year. It's all set for a wonderful tournament, in round robin play, before the World Grand a wonderful format, sit back and enjoy. Prix Finals are held in Andria on the strik- World number one Russia will be out to ing Adriatic coast line. defend its title against a number of www.fivb.org/ pretenders. The gap that separates the Download X-Press electronically This year is a very special year for the best teams is very narrow indeed, as last World Grand Prix with this 11th edition year's World Grand Prix and the highly from our website at: www. fivb.org/ FIVBFIVB X-Press X-PressNo 116No 103 July May2003 20023 BEACH VOLLEYBALL The FIVB bids farewell to Mr. Sinan Erdem (1927-2003) CHANGING THE POWER BASE OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL Watch out Brazil; here comes the rest of the World! It is with great sadness that the Inter- national Volleyball Federation, under the leadership of President Dr. Rubén Acosta, has learned of the death of Mr. Sinan Erdem, former Member of the FIVB Executive Committee and former international Volleyball player. A gentle and friendly man who spoke fluent English and French as well as his native Turkish, Mr. Erdem died at the age of 76 after a long struggle with cancer. He was passionately engaged in sport and sports administration for most of his life. He played and captained the Turkish national volleyball team until his active career ended in 1957 and also enjoyed tennis. Among his many sports administrative positions, he served as President of the Turkish National Olympic committee and in 1988 was appointed as a Member of the International Olympic Com- mittee.