Ekaterinburg June 30, 2017. Serbia and Russia showed a wonderful game in front of the overwhelming fans at the final match of Yeltsin Cup 2017. Serbia overpowered Russia with a 3:2 (25:19, 22:25, 25:21, 26:28, 16:14) result and won the champion title in their debut tournament in Russia.
As expected before start, Russian and Serbia will be the favorites of this tournament. The Russian national team has arrived Ekaterinburg without a number of leading players like Tatiana Kosheleva, Natalia Goncharova and Yana Shcherban, whom head coach gave a rest after a successful qualification for the World Championship. While Serbia is clearly aiming for victory in her debut tournament in Russia, their team composition included four European champions and six Olympic silver medalists. This final match is the first time met between two team after the quarterfinals of Rio Olympics 2016 which Serbia won 3:0. Serbia with the help of experienced players Mikhajlovic and Malagurski, took their first ever Yeltsin Cup champion trophy home.
In the other match of the final day,Turkish team confidently beat Kazakhstan 3: 0 and won the bronze medal of Yeltsin Cup second time in history.
Yeltsin Cup 2017
Final standings:
1 – Serbia
2 – Russia
3 – Turkey
4 – Bulgaria
5 – Kazakhstan
Individual Awards:
Best Striker – Irina Voronkova, Russia
Best Blocker – Irina Zaryazhko, Russia
Best Libero – Simge Sebnem Akoz, Turkey
Best Receiver – Radmila Beresneva, Kazakhstan
Best Setter – Bojana Zivkovic, Serbia
Best young player of Russia National team – Anna Lazareva
Miss Tournament – Elitsa Vassilieva, Bulgaria
MVP – Brankica Mikhajlovic, Serbia
