World League winners return home

Russia’s national volleyball squad are back in Moscow after winning the FIVB World League in style on Sunday.

Plenty of fans met the team at Sheremetyevo International Airport, with Russian flags and chants for the champions.   Vladimir Alekhno’s men beat defending champs Brazil in the final in a thrilling five-setter, taking the decider 15:11.Maksim Mikhailov was Russia’s top-scorer in the final with 27 points, and was named the tournament’s MVP.“I remember the entire final game against Brazil, including the fifth set and the winning point. Yes, we won the World League. But we need to keep working, because we are not like the Brazilians, who used to win the tournament for an impressive eight years in a row. It was only our second title, so we have to continue our work,” he said.Russia has only won the World League once before, nine years ago.