Dragan Stankovic, Nikola Grbic, Roberlay Leonaldo and Bruno Rezende, team captains and head coaches of Serbia and Brazil at the press conference in Novi Sad
Novi Sad, Serbia, June 11, 2015 - The coaches and captains of the Serbian and Brazilian teams attended a press conference ahead of the FIVB Volleyball World League Pool A matches between the two teams this weekend.
Brazil captain Bruno Rezende said that he is expecting two very difficult matches. "The Serbian team have shown progress in the last week and played very well against the Italians, winning against them in the first match. As the [Intercontinental] Round develops, the teams improve every weekend, just as we are improving with full training now," he added. "We expect tough matches and hope that the young and successful Serbian team win as few points as possible.
Brazil coach Roberley Leonaldo said: "After the two matches in Belo Horizonte, we expect different matches here in Serbia. Both matches will be difficult, as Serbia have more players here, but I hope that our team will play much better, although the Serbian team has also improved with each weekend."
Asked about past experiences from 2008 when Serbia beat Brazil in World League matches here in Novi Sad, Serbia coach Nikola Grbic replied that he hoped to have another occasion for people to remember for the next ten years. "Brazil have came here with their strongest team, committed to winning and aspiring to win the World League, especially as they are qualified for the Finals as organisers. We will have two difficult matches. The form of both teams improves as weekends pass and we hope to have the opportunity of present a volleyball spectacle to the spectators in Novi Sad."
Recalling the famous 2008 match, Serbia captain Dragan Stankovic remembered the people in the hall on that occasion, the faithful fans who supported their team from the very first ball. "We have to play our 100 per cent and only that will be satisfactory, hoping that we will be supported to get to a victory against Brazil in this pool."
The first match between Serbia and Brazil will take place on Friday, June 12 at 20.10 local time. The venue is SPC Vojvodina hall in Novi Sad.