After a long and exciting battle, Canada claimed their historical victory in the finals of the World League. Russia was leading 2:0, but apparently it was not enough tonight.
Russia started with the lead 3:0. Muserskiy was stopped in the middle by Canadians. Winters stroke from the left wing. Apalikov gave the first TTO with the result 8:5 for Russia. After the break Russians carried on their three point leverage. Challenge system was warmed up from the beginning and it prevented some nervous situations. Canadians worked out their game from the middle. Pavlov gave another point to his team and Glenn Hoad took one time out. Russians enlarged the point distance to 16:10. Dallas Soonias scored an ace for Canada. His team got close to Russians (17:19), but Schmitt made a mistake a little after. Apalikov finished this part and Russia won the first set.
On the next part, it was Canada that stroke first and gained 3:0 result and they walked for the first TTO as the leader. Spiridonov scored from pipe. Russia took the lead back really quickly. Muserkiy scored one point with attack, and failed on service right after that. Canada again did all in it’s power and this team the first to gain the 16th point. Maxim Mikhaylov was brought into the game. Russians showed a great defence, but it was not enough to win the action. At the end Russia run away from the opponent and soon it was 2:0 for the olympic champions.
This time the set started equally and soon both teams collected 4 points. Russians worked out a few points with block, but Canada didn’t let go and they had their advantage on the first TTO (8:7). That part – as the whole game – was balanced and tight. Russia was catching up over and over again, but this time Canadians pushed it to the end and they extended the game by winning the third set. Canada was consequent and didn’t slow down during another part. The game was still on and continued to a tie break.
Canadian errors gave Russia 3 points of leverage. Apalikov failed on service. Canadians suddenly could not receive Russian services and they stayed back quickly (6:2 Russia). Obviously Canada didn’t lost hope. They scored 6:7 and made the head coach Voronkov take a break. Grankin lost for the 7th points for Canada, but Muserskiy scored just before the change of sides. Finally Verhoeff had an amazing series on service and a few minutes later Canada could burst of happiness about this great victory over the olympic champion.
Canada – Russia 3:2 (20:25, 21:25, 25:23, 25:21, 15:11)
