Dragan Stankovic and Nikola Grbic (Serbia's captain and coach), Raphael and Rubinho (Brazil's captain and coach)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil, May 29, 2015 – The nine times champion Brazil scored a big win in their opening exciting match of 2015 FIVB World League beating Serbia 3-2 (24-26, 25-17, 25-22, 26-28 and 15-11). The last six World League meetings between these teams went to five sets and this one was not different. The result was satisfying for the home team´s coach Roberley Leonaldo.
Roberley Leonaldo, head coach of Brazil: “The Serbian team is a really difficult opponent”, Leonaldo said. "We knew that this match would not be easy. In the beginning we made some mistakes but later in the game we started to play better again. Now we have to improve some aspects of our game to win again on Sunday”.
Raphael Oliveira, team captain of Brazil: “I am really happy with the way that we played”, Raphael said. “We knew that would be a difficult match because the Serbian team is really talented. Our entire group deserves this result. I have to congratulate my team”.
Nikola Grbic, head coach of Serbia: “We knew this game would be a tough one”, Grbic said. "Brazil is a really good team. We had our chances during the match but we need to remember that we are practicing together as a team for only three weeks. It was a good match”, Grbic said.
Dragan Stankovic, team captain of Serbia: “We had our chances in the third set”, Stankovic affirmed. "Unfortunately, we ended losing that set. For me that was the key moment of the match. We have some young players and it was a good game for them as well as chance to experience all the atmosphere. I believe that Brazil and Serbia will be in the Final Six and I hope that we can play a better game on Sunday”.