Final Report 2003 Contents

Transcription

1 Final Report 2003 Contents Page Message from the President A final encounter few will forget puts the stamp of success on the 2003 World League 2003 Balance Sheet Reflecting on a stunning tournament The Intercontinental Round Pool A - Weeks 2-7 Pool B - Weeks 2-7 Pool C - Weeks 2-7 Pool D - Weeks 1-6 The Final Round Round-robin - July 8-10 Pool E RUS POL ESP VEN BRA ITA POR GER YUG NED CUB BUL FRA CZE GRE JPN Pool F Credits Text: FIVB Communications Department Pictures: FIVB website photo galleries, FIVB photo archives Design: FRGraphic Print: Corbaz SA, Montreux YUG CZE ESP GRE BRA BUL RUS ITA Semifinals July 12 Finals Places 3-4 July 13 Finals Places 1-2 July 13 Best Players of the Finals 2003 Final Ranking Team by Team International Promotion Media Report Television Report YUG v.ita ITA v. CZE YUG v. BRA CZE v. BRA Statistics for overall standings, earnings, attendance, TV coverage, referees, coaches, 2003 records, players by team , cities and venues FIVB World League Structure World League 2003 Final Report 1

2 Message from the President T HIS year s World League final, between World Champions Brazil and Olympic Champions Serbia and Montenegro, will certainly go down as one of the great matches of all time. It was a fitting climax to the 14 th edition of the FIVB $15 million World League, which again brought the world s best men s teams together to celebrate a competition that continues to promote our sport in the best possible way. These two teams, the crème de la crème of Volleyball, met in the Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid, a venue, which, as a regular site for bullfighting has seen its share of monumental clashes and drama. The match went to arguably the most thrilling tiebreaker ever, with Brazil finally prevailing after 111 minutes of an enormously courageous encounter. When we experience such an occasion, the real winner is obvious. It is the sport of Volleyball. Such a match does not just inspire the world s top sides; it also captivates the most modest of teams and the millions of players and lovers of the sport all over the world. In addition, it also acts as a powerful tool to attract new interest in our sport, whether it was the animated crowd in the stadium, those millions who saw it on television and even those who followed the match point by point on the...puts the stamp on the Live Score Box on the FIVB website. Such a match is also a superb catalyst to inspire interest in top-level Volleyball in the host country Spain and thousands of Spanish aficionados present at the match will talk about it for a long time and pay close attention to the progress of their own national team. Brazil and Serbia and Montenegro represent two quite distinct styles of play, with the former, being somewhat smaller in stature, relying on superb technical skills and game tactics, while the latter bring with them a unique combination of athleticism, fighting spirit and a never-say-die approach to the game that guarantees it will be thrilling until the final whistle blows. Now at the pinnacle of the sport and occupying first and second place on the world rankings, they also represent the very best of the modern game, which, since 2 World League 2003 Final Report

3 A final encounter few will forget... of success 2003 World League! rule changes in 1999, is sharper, more dynamic and significantly more attractive. But as well as a superb final, the 14th edition brought with it some surprises. Newcomers the Czech Republic blazed a trail clear through to the semifinals before finally being beaten by Italy, always one of the world s elite teams. Bulgaria, coming back to the World League after a four-year absence and looking in superb athletic form, went out in a blaze of glory when they eliminated title-holders Russia in the last match of their Final Round preliminary pool. Above all, the World League has become, for the 16 participating teams, an essential annual competition. It is a unique opportunity for them all to meet in top competition and to pit themselves against the world s best, and this is, perhaps, its most valuable asset. The World League has tradition; it is well-known for its sporting excellence and it has an important fixed place on the international sporting calendar. It is also a competition that makes us proud, because it represents the best of the best. Get involved, Keep the ball flying! Dr. Rubén Acosta H. FIVB President World League 2003 Final Report 3

4 2003 Balance Sheet Reflecting on a It will go down as one of the best finals in World League history and it was a fitting end to a competition which had it all drama, excitement, rivalry and upsets. WITH the World League having been increased for the first time from 12 to 16 teams, the premier annual men s event took on a new dimension reaching the fans and television audiences of four extra countries and providing a comprehensive global look with matches spread from a far as Japan to Venezuela and Russia to Brazil. The format even took on a slightly new appearance with one of the four pools in the Intercontinental Rounds (Pool D) starting and finishing a week earlier for logistical reasons but it all combined to make this year s race for the World League title one of the best in the history of the competition. In this pre-olympic year the World League provided an excellent run in to Olympic qualifying tournaments and all the pressure, strain and The final whistle has gone and Brazil celebrate their victory determination to head into them later in the year in the best possible form was evident but after all the dust settled it was the Boys from Brazil who came out on top. Brazil s success In hindsight, the 2003 World League had the green and gold colors of Brazil drooped all over it from day one. Coming off a World Championship triumph in 2002 the Green and Gold machine marched through their pool play against none other than Italy, Portugal and Germany before using their grace and artistry to twinkle toe themselves past opponents through the Final Round undefeated to claim their third World League title. The skill and magic of an on form Brazilian team left everyone spell bound particularly when they came up against their match in the brute force of Serbia and Montenegro in Brazilian captain Nalbert Bitencourt on attack the final. But this only saw Bernardo Rezende s men dig even deeper and pull off a superb performance which saw them eventually triumph in the fifth set tie breaker. Brazil s jubilation was there for all to see, especially when captain Nalbert Bitencourt and Ricardo Garcia jumped on to reporters desks to rejoice in their stunning victory, having definitely set the benchmark in terms of top quality international Volleyball. The result moved Brazil to the top of the FIVB world rankings and one wonders how long their time at the top will be with such a tough and competitive pre-olympic year ahead and countless other teams all breathing down their necks for pole position. Serbia and Montenegro are definitely one of them 4 World League 2003 Final Report

5 stunning tournament Mauricio Lima Nalbert and Ricardo pay homage to their fans (l to r) Rodrigâo, Giba and Brazilian coach Bernardo Rezende World League 2003 Final Report 5