Brazil won its seventh FIVB World League title, the fifth in a row, beating Russia 3-1 in a tough final in Katowice, Poland on Sunday.

The bronze medal went to the United States who beat Poland 3-1. 

Brazil showed its class, defeated the powerful Russian team 18-25, 25-23, 28-26 and 25-22).

Both teams started playing carefully in defense and most of the points scored in the beginning were a result of opponent's errors.

In the second set, Brazil made more unforced errors until Murilo entered the court and strengthened Brazil's wing. They started to lower the point difference and finished the set 25-23. 　

Russian flagship server "Acetapenko" Ostapenko entered the court for good and reinforced his team considerably in the third set. However, Brazil took the lead again and finished the set 28-26.

In the fourth set, two shortest attackers in the court Giba (192 cm) and Murilo (190 cm) carried the whole weight of Brazilian attack and did well in going around the world's tallest set of blockers. Neither of the teams could pull away but when Brazil blocked Poltavski two times in a row they earned their first match ball. The second one gave the ultimate victory to them.

The third place is a comeback for the United States who had the same place in 1992, and the second podium ever in 18 years of the FIVB event.

Poland didn't manage to put itself together mentally after yesterday's defeat. The United States won 25-19, 25-21, 22-25 and 25-19 for the bronze medal of World League 2007.　

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2007)