Russia out to write new success story in World League

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 1, 2016 – Things have not gone to plan for Russia’s volleyballers in the last two editions of the FIVB World League. Fifth place in 2014 was followed by a disappointing eighth place last year. Andrey Voronkov subsequently resigned as national coach and was replaced by Vladimir Alekno. The man who led Russia to Olympic bronze in 2008 and then to the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics is looking to add another chapter to Russia’s success story in the FIVB World League. This year’s showdown between the top teams in the world will also serve as a dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games in Rio. And Russia have set their sights on winning gold again in Brazil. Together with their predecessor state the Soviet Union, they are the record Olympic champions, with four gold medals to their name – just as they are the record world champions with six titles.“It’s very important to play in the finals of the World League this year. Only there will my players have the chance to take on their future rivals at the Olympics,” said Alekno, looking ahead to the Finals which will be hosted by world champions Poland in Krakow from July 13 to 17. In order to reach the final six, Russia must first survive the preliminary round. The Olympic champions will have home advantage when they start the first weekend of preliminary round matches in Kaliningrad from June 17-19. They will take on last year’s FIVB World League runners-up Serbia, Poland and Bulgaria. “Poland are the world champions, the Serbs are building a new team, and the Bulgarians recently …

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