Kraljevo, Serbia, May 25, 2018 - A Wallace led Brazil claimed its maiden victory in the 2018 Nations League as the Seleçao dominated hosts Serbia 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 26-24) in Friday's action.
In a tough matchup, the Canarinhos had to thank Wallace for his 17 points, including 5 blocks and one ace.
The opposite from Funvic Taubate was the star of the show but Mauricio Borges Almeida Silva also was instrumental with 15 points (2 blocks).
Serbia struggled despited strong showing from Aleksandar Atanasijevic (15 points) and Marko Ivovic (11 points).
The European hosts seemed the favourites against a team that they had beaten in three of their last five world level encounters. But facing the Olympic champions is never easy.
And Brazil showed exactly how tough they were by taking an early lead as Murilo was the suprise start. The veteran libero showed that, at 37, he had lost nothing of his talent and helped a Brazil team that had showed some weaknesses in the reception lately. But the Serbs are a formidable opponent and hit back superbly (8-6). That's when Wallace turned on the style despite a solid performance from Atanasijevic. Serbia committed too many mistakes to worry a well-oiled Brazilian machine (25-22).
It was more of the same in the second set as both teams fought tooth and nails: Lucao scored an ace but Kovacevic hit back (11-9). But, one by one, the Brazilian attack took the better of its counterpart (15-15) before Mijailovic sent his serve into the net (25-22).
Dominated and responseless, the Serbs lost composure and Ivovic sent his spike wide to give Brazil a two-point lead. Now in control, the Canarinhos kept the Europeans at bay (14-12) as Wallace shined (22-20) before Bruninho sealed the deal.