Level check: what to expect from Russian volleyball players at the UAE tournament

From March 12 to March 20, Dubai will host the NAS Sports Tournament volleyball tournament, which will feature clubs from different continents — from France, Brazil, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other countries. For the first time in three years, Russian teams, Nova and Dynamo Moscow, are also going to international competitions. Since February 2022, we have not participated in tournaments on the international stage, so such a return is a very important story for our clubs, said Konstantin Bryansky, coach of the blue and white and the Russian national team.

Poland's refusal

The Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Tournament is a traditional multi—sport competition for the UAE, it somewhat resembles our Spartakiad with the possible invitation of foreign athletes and teams. NAS is being held for the 12th time, its organizers are the Crown Prince of Dubai Hamdan Al Maktoum and his brother Mansour Al Maktoum. A total of about 7,000 participants are expected this year. In addition to volleyball, the program will include 10 more disciplines, including badminton, cycling, jiu-jitsu, padel and laser shooting.

Russian fans are most interested in the volleyball tournament, where the current and former Russian national team coach Konstantin Bryansky will perform.

"It's interesting to note, but it's really nothing more than a coincidence," the Secretary General of the All—Russian Volleyball Federation (VFB) summed up to Rossiyskaya Gazeta Alexander Yaremenko. — The clubs that took places from 5th to 12th in the completed regular season of the Super League are occupied in mid-March, they play matches of the first round of the playoffs. The quartet of the strongest teams, who directly qualified for the quarterfinals, and those who no longer have a chance to continue fighting for medals are free. We delegate one participant each from the top and bottom of the table. By the time Nova specifically responded to the invitation from the UAE, there was no alternative at all. Nizhny Novgorod ASK and Orenburg were still fighting in absentia for the last ticket to the playoffs, and not all the guys at the Moscow State Technical University had valid passports.

The tournament will also feature a local club, French Toulouse, Brazilian champion Cruzeiro, Egyptian top clubs Al-Ahly and Zamalek, and elite newcomer Grottazzolina, who did not qualify for the Serie A1 playoffs. But the Polish "Suwalki", having learned about the participation of the Russians, decided to abandon the performance.

— Why did they make such a decision? It's better to ask the Polish team," Konstantin Bryansky said in a conversation with Izvestia. — To be honest, we don't care. We're going to play volleyball, not engage in politics. This is an important comeback for us. First of all, this is an opportunity to declare that our volleyball is alive, show our level and see the abilities of foreign teams. There is a moment when the tournament falls during the preparation period for the Russian Championship playoffs. Of course, this causes certain difficulties and concerns. I think we can all overcome this together.

Brazilian interest

And if for Dynamo, participation in the NAS will be a preparation for the playoffs, then for Nova from Novokuibyshevsk it is a good chance to rehabilitate themselves after it became clear that the team would not play in the final part of the Russian championship.

— The tournament has a good composition of participants, so, of course, I have a positive attitude, — Andrey Titich, one of the leaders of Nova, told the Championship. — Because we have no one to play with due to the current conditions. And any game against a foreign opponent is a test of yourself, the entire Russian championship and volleyball. Even if Nova went to play from 14th place, it's still a test. How we, the team from the bottom of the standings, will look there. Who would you like to play with? From the point of view of Russian volleyball, it will be more interesting with the Italians. And from my point of view, the Cruzeiro Garden, if this club gets to the UAE. We only saw Brazilian clubs at the World Cup. There are strong players and an unusual vision of the game. After all, it's not a European approach. Physically, they're probably powerful guys. I am like that myself (smiles), so it will be interesting to compare.

According to the format of the tournament, eight clubs will be divided into two groups, within which a single-round tournament will be played. As a result, the two strongest teams from each quartet will advance to the semi-finals, which will be played criss-crosswise. Dynamo is going to the tournament with the sole purpose of achieving a final victory, Bryansky stressed.

"At international competitions, even an average opponent is able to show a very, very high level in at least one game," the blue and white coach continued. — This level can be exorbitant. First of all, we want to do our job and watch the opponents. We're bringing a full train. Our analysts are already studying the upcoming rivals. There is also a caveat that the matches will not take place at the most usual time for us — at 9-11 o'clock. But, once again, this is a challenge that will be interesting to overcome. We always have maximum goals at Dynamo. I would like to win and raise the Cup.

All matches of the tournament will be shown on the TV channel "Volleyball" and Volley.ru .