The participation of the Ukrainian national team in the volleyball world championship was made possible thanks to a generous gift. The International Volleyball Federation decided to reward random guests not only with getting into the tournament, but also with a place in the not very difficult quartet, which should have rightfully gone to Russia.

The Yellow-Blues managed to qualify for the playoffs and even created one sensation in the relegation match. But the fairy tale is over – an attempt to try on the European style in the match against the European team was unsuccessful.

Maybe the Ukrainians renounced the Russian school in vain?

Out of sport principle

In 2022, the Ukrainian national volleyball team took part in the World Championship for the second time in its history. 24 years ago, it was not possible to get into the top eight, this time the team took a step forward. Although, in truth, the Ukrainians, in principle, should not have participated in the next World Cup.

Following the results of the previous world championship, Poland qualified for the tournament, Euro 2021 allowed Italy and Slovenia to receive tickets. A place in the FIVB ranking also did not allow counting on a trip to Russia, but the “yellow-blue” was helped by chance.

The International Volleyball Federation moved the World Championship from our country to Poland and Slovenia, and instead of the Russian national team declared Ukraine beyond any sports principle. Moreover, the Ukrainians inherited not only a place in the tournament, but also relatively easy opponents in the group.

The happy owners of the invitation to the championship of the FIVB planet did not disappoint and did not become whipping boys. Having lost in three sets to the strong team of Serbia, the Ukrainians did not lose to anyone else in the group stage, taking second place in the quartet.

The output of Ugis Krastiņš’s team in the playoffs, perhaps, did not become a sensation. But in the 1/8 finals, the “yellow-blues” really managed to surprise, somehow very easily defeating the team of the Netherlands in three sets (25:16, 25:18, 25:19), which took first place in their group. The Ukrainians played so well or the Dutch “burned out”, the question is debatable. But in any case, the Ukrainian national team for the first time in history was able to get into the top eight in the world championship. Ahead of her was a strong, but not a superstar, Slovenian team, which means that the chances of continuing the fairy tale remained.

Photo: © BSR Agency / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

“Russian school”

On the eve of the ¼ final match, Zoran Kedacic, a member of the coaching staff of the Slovenian national team, decided not to skimp on words of respect for recent rivals, since many Ukrainians at this tournament are praised for the cause and without. The specialist hinted that the Ukrainians are almost as good as the Russians.

— They cultivate a tough style of play. This is a Russian volleyball school. They do not reach the Russians in height, but they have very good jumps. The task of the Slovenes will be to force the Ukrainians to make mistakes, Suspline quoted Kedacic.

For the Latvian coach of Ukrainian volleyball players, such words were akin to an insult. Krastiņš hastened to renounce the team’s belonging to the Russian school and said that his wards play in some kind of European style.

– This is not true. Apparently he was watching the wrong game. No, we play a very European style of volleyball. Therefore, I don’t know what he is talking about, ”Suspline quotes Krastiņš.

Well, we have to admit that the Slovenes understand the notorious European style better. At the very beginning, the owners of the site, having the support of the stands, were a little timid and gave the first set to the opponent with a score of 18:25. But then things went better for the Balkan team. She not without difficulty, but still wrote down the second game at her own expense – 26:24. The third and fourth sets also went to Slovenia – 25:19 and 25:23.

Photo: © IMAGO / Anna Klepaczko / imago-images.de / Global Look Press

The Ukrainians acted better on the block and outnumbered the opponent in the number of aces, but the Slovenes correctly figured out the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. Krastiņš’s team was let down by unforced errors, which was what the Slovenes’ coaching staff was counting on.

Slovenia will continue to make its own history – this is the first time this team has reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. For the Ukrainians, the fairy tale is over – philosophical discussions about schools and styles did not help the team to take another important step forward.