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Amazing dream realised for Serbia and Montenegro

Dresden, Germany, June 19, 2005 – Ranked 28th in the world, Serbia and Montenegro, who started the 2006 Women’s World Championship in the first round, completed the unbelievable on Sunday by claiming one of the 24 berths in the final round after winning the Europe Pool I third round tournament in Dresden.

The Eastern Europeans completed a magical fairytale story by finishing in second place in the four team tournament as Germany claimed top spot and the other ticket through to the final round only on set ratio difference. Serbia and Montenegro, who beat winless Greece 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-19) on Sunday, snuck in ahead of Poland having won just one set more after they both finished with two wins and a defeat, along with Germany.
Pic: Serbia and Montenegro's Maja Ognjenovic (10) sets for Natasa Krsmanovic
"To reach the final round of the 2006 World Championship in Japan is the greatest success of women's Volleyball in Serbia and Montenegro so far. It's simply fantastic,” Serbia and Montenegro captain Vesna Citakovic said. “The match against Greece was difficult for psychological reasons. I am hoping that we will prove to be a good competitor against the other top teams in the World Championship final round in Japan."

"I am very happy that we upset the two big favourites, European champions Poland and bronze medalists Germany,” Serbia and Montenegro coach Zoran Terzic said. “I am proud of my team, especially as we had to qualify right from the first round. We made great progress and will now prepare in peace for the European and World Championships."

Germany (ranked ninth in the world) were favourites with Poland (10th) to claim the two tickets but it was ultimately Germany’s 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22) win over Poland on Sunday which left the Poles in third place. Poland will have a last chance to reach the final round in Japan in a play-off at Varna, Bulgaria, in August.

"Of course we are extremely happy. It wasn't easy, but we were able to improve when it mattered,” German captain Angelina Gruen said. “The crowds' support was great. We knew that we had to fight for every point. We once again showed our great strength - never giving up. The tough, four-week preparation has paid off."

"We have trained hard for four weeks, and I tested a lot during that time,” German coach Hee Wan Lee said. “The players now know that it has paid off, that's why I'm happy for them.”

"We are disappointed because we could have won the match 3-0,” Poland captain Aleksandra Przybysz said. “We simply shouldn't have lost the 17-13 or 17-14 advantage. We gave it everything, but unfortunately failed to turn the lead we worked hard for into winning."

Germany and Serbia and Montenegro join hosts Japan and defending champions Italy in the final round along with Egypt and Cameroon who had already advanced from their respective tournaments.