Tampere, Finland, June 30, 2010 - The Finnish team return home after a two-week trip to Kaliningrad and Chicago as they prepare to face Pool C leaders Russia in the fifth weekend of the 2010 FIVB World League.
Coach Mauro Berruto said he was delighted with the away matches, especially his side's shock victory over the USA.
"I'm really satisfied, not only because of our historical victory against gold medalist of the last Olympic Games," said Berruto. "In the last four matches we have been developing fast in every aspect of the game."
"The best signal came in the last match in Chicago, where we played a wonderful match even if we lost 3-1."
Berruto thinks the team will take this good lesson and continue its improvement against Russia.
"We are on the right road, and with the next steps, nothing is impossbile."
Russia will arrive in Tampere after eight straight wins in the World League. So far they have missed only one point, in their home match against Egypt, who could steal two sets from last year's bronze medalists. But last weekend Russia visited Cairo, winning there twice 3-0.
Finland and Russia will battle for the points in Tampere on Friday and Saturday nights, at 6.30 pm local time.
Argentina
Brazil
Bulgaria
China
Cuba
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Italy
Korea
Netherlands
Poland
Russia
Serbia
USA
