Belgrade, Serbia, April 23, 2017 - Serbia's Men's National Team made their first gathering of the season this past weekend, ahead of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship as they head to both competitions aiming for the highest possible distinctions.
Players from around Europe who have already completed their club obligations for this season gathered at the beautifully situated Kovilovo Sports Centre just outside of Belgrade to begin training as they wait for the remainder of the international stars to join the group.
Head coach Nikola Grbic has invited a total of 32 players for the preparation, but his assistants Nedzad Osmanac and Dusko Nikolic, began with 14 players this weekend.
Grbic himsels will join the squad now that his obligations with Calzedonia Verona are over in Italy's A1 League.
Serbian Volleyball Federation President, Zoran Gajic, who famously coached Yugoslavia to Olympic gold in Sydney 2000, speaks to the Federation's Press Attache Novica Saric at the National Team's first gathering for 2018.
"It feels strange to be one of the older players at this first gathering," said Dusan Petkovic, 26, who returns to the National Team after an absence of four years. "It's always an honour to be part of the National Team."
"It's too early to say something about this year's obligations, but of course Serbia always aims for gold," added Petkovic, who plays for Argos Sora in Italy's A1 League.
"I just hope I make the cut and get to play for the National Team in the VNL," said Petar Krsmaovic, middle blocker of Russia's Gazprom Jugra Surgut. "Serbia's aims always remain the same, even though we have two goals this year."
Dusan Petkovic (left) and Petar Krsmanovic at the first meeting of the Serbian National Team ahead of their 2018 obligations.
The Serbia players already gathered in Kovilovo:
Setters: Andrija Vilimanovic (Novi Pazar), Vuk Todorovic (Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad).
Opposites: Dusan Petkovic (Sora, Italy), Irfan Hamzagic (Novi Pazar), Aleksandr Gmitrovic (Red Star Belgrade), Bozidar Vucicevic (Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad).
Libero: Predrag Jevtic (Red Star Belgrade).
Middle blockers: Petar Krsmanovic (Gazprom Jugra Surgut, Russia), Nemanja Masulovic (Red Star Belgrade), Stevan Simic (VVojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad), Aleksa Polomac (Novi Pazar).
Outside hitters: Miran KKujundzic (Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad), David Mehic (Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad), Pavle Peric (Vojvodina NS Seme Novi Sad).
Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2018
FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2018
FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship 2018
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