17-Nov, start time: 15:00, end time: 16:20 - Attendance: 2,970

SCG	3	26	25	25	-	-	76
USA	0	24	21	22	-	-	67

Match Description:

USA push Serbia & Montenegro all the way
Sydney Olympic champions Serbia and Montenegro were given a tough workout before dismissing the USA in straight sets in the Yoyogi Stadium to remain unbeaten on day two of the 2003 Men's World Cup in Tokyo, Japan.

Following their 3-0 win over China on day one coach Travica Ljubomir introduced Slobodan Boskan for the first time in the tournament in place of the unwell Vladimir Grbic and immediately Serbia and Montenegro went on the back foot.

USA jumped to an early lead to suggest that they might repeat their defeat of the Balkan team as the one at the end of 2002. But thanks to some superb blocking from 203cm Andrija Geric, Serbia and Montenegro got back into the game at 16-13 ahead.

In a thrilling climax to the first set with Serbia and Montenegro leading 23-21, captain, setter and MIP Nikola Grbic went to Goran Vujevic six times. A spike long and two blocked attacks were followed by three quality spikes in an amazing display of confidence in Vujevic to seal the set 26-24.

But this didn't deter NORCECA champions USA, as they continued to keep the pressure on the 2003 World League runners up during the second set with some excellent all round work from captain Lloy Ball and pin point spiking from Clayton Stanley. Again Serbia and Montenegro had to fight hard to seal the set.

In the third set Ivan Miljkovic, who top scored against China on day one, proved instrumental again in helping his side wrestle the lead back from USA at 14-13 down to win the set and the match 25-22.

Comments:

TRAVICA, Ljubomir (SCG Head Coach)
We knew before the match that this would be a hard and tough match against USA because they are a good team. We were good in the first two sets, and I'm happy to win the third set after letting them take the lead, and because we had problems in the third set yesterday.

GRBIC, Nikola (SCG Captain)
I'm satisfied with the result, but less satisfied with the level of performance. I think we were better yesterday. It was very important to win today, because USA is a very good team, which I think is one of the 5 to 6 teams capable to qualify for the Olympics at this tournament.

BEAL, Douglas (USA Head Coach)
We know that SCG is one of the best teams in the world. As the SCG captain said they could play better as tournament goes on, we believe that we can also play better. We know that every win is important and we are disappointed in our performance in this match. We couldn't be in the right place in blocking, particularly against NO14. They are good team, besides that they didn't make easy mistakes. So I want to congratulate on them.

STANLEY, Clayton (USA Player)
I am disappointed in the result. I think we could have played better in ball settings. We made many attacking errors. We need to change these. We are here to be qualified for the Olympics. We need to play better

Official Result:

Match statistics (P-2) - PDF