Serbia and Montenegro stars set to
return
 June
14, 2005 – Three of Serbia and
Montenegro’s super stars Nikola Grbić,
Ivan Miljković and Andrija Gerić are
expected to make their first appearances
in the 2005 World League this weekend in
round four of the Intercontinental Round
as the final round hosts prepare to
welcome Argentina.
The 2000 and 2004 Olympians, who play
setter, wing spiker and middle blocker
respectively, have missed the opening
three rounds as part of their recovery
from a busy season and of coach Ljuba
Travica’s plan to introduce new talent
into the Serbia and Montenegro system.
Pic: Ivan Miljković (14) and Andrija
Gerić (12) form part of the Serbia and
Montenegro defence against Brazil in
last year's World League final round
According to Travica, who was wrapped
with his young team’s second victory of
the tournament at home to Pool C leaders
Poland last weekend, Grbić, Miljković
and Gerić are all expected to play at
least two sets but whether former
skipper Grbić resumes the captaincy in
place of Goran Vujevic, is another
question.
I expect them to play at least two sets
against Argentina, which will most
certainly be a special treat for the
crowd,” Travica said. “We played nine
sets (against Argentina) in a
magnificent ambience in the “Luna Park”
Hall of Sports in Buenos Aires (in week
two) and we managed to rise the level of
our game again, which resulted with a
win over Poland, the favourites in our
group, last weekend. I hope we can play
better as the World League continues so
we can be ready for the Final Round.”
Serbia and Montenegro, who are automatic
qualifiers for the final round, are
currently third in Pool C with two wins,
ahead of Argentina on set ratio
difference but behind Poland and Greece.
This weekend’s two matches against
Argentina - on Saturday in Belgrade and
on Sunday in Novi Sad – will be the
117th and 118th World League matches for
the “Blue Boys“ with a record which
currently stands at 71 wins and 45
defeats. |
Competition Formula