Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, 19 July 2008 – Korea beat Russian in a five set match of Pool B in the World League preliminary round here on Saturday. This is also the only victory for the Koreans in the 12 matches in the World League.

The Koreans fought back from the first two set deficit to defeat their strong opponents 3-2 (20-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-13).

After losing the first two sets, The Koreans have started the third set very aggressive, Sung-Min MOON has made some attack hits very strong and from so high soar that he could be compared with Brazilian GIBA. Playing successfully in receiving and attack, the Korean team has made a little advantage, but Russia leveled the scores at 11 all.

The Korean team has nowhere to retreat: two sets are lost and to pass the advantage in score could bring to absolute fiasco at World League 2008. Trying to save each ball they earn points, but Russian team due good play of Yuriy Berezhko has reduced the gap. 4 bad mistakes of Russian team have brought to the score 17-21. Sung-Min MOON has won this set for his team with the strong hit of floating ball from blockers far away to out.

Intensive struggle has started from the fist seconds of the 4 set. At 22-23 behind, 21-years old Jun-Bum PARK not only has saved the margin, but has brought his team ahead 23-22. Having a good support of fans, Russian team has not managed to save the set 2-2 (23-25).

The crucial set has started for both teams with the advantage of Korean team (1-3), but Russians have managed to save the difference. The charges of Aleksander Serebryannikov have made the block mistake and have missed the ace. They have left Aleksander Korneev all alone at the block against Sung-Min MOON. Then very bad receiving of serve has followed and Korean number 14 Yo-Han KIM has bang down transferring hit 5-8. Aleksander Serebryannikov, Russian coach has let out Dmitriy Krasikov and Semen Poltavskiy and the setter Sergey Grankin, trying to improve the position of Russian team, and he has done - 10-13. But that fact has not changed the scheme of play. The Korean team has been really good during all the match and has won it. That was the only win in the group round.