Baku, June 22, 2015 — Serbia Women delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Russia W in the European Games Women volleyball tournament, sweeping the match with a display of power, precision and defensive discipline. Serbia controlled nearly every phase, winning 25-20, 25-18, 25-21 to claim a statement result in Baku.

Match Overview

Serbia started quickly, building an early lead in the first set and never allowing Russia to settle. The second set was even more one-sided, as Serbia’s blocking and serve pressure forced Russia into repeated errors. Russia improved in the third and briefly led 15-13, but Serbia closed with a decisive run to complete the straight-sets win.

Key Moments

• Serbia jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the first set, with Milena Rašić dominating at the net.
• In the second, Serbia’s serving run midway through the set turned a close score into a comfortable 25-18 finish.
• Russia’s best period came in the third, when Natalia Malykh and Ekaterina Efimova helped them edge ahead 15-13.
• Serbia responded with a 12-6 run to close the match, capped by a Jovana Brakočević spike.

Tactical Story

Serbia’s balanced attack kept Russia’s block guessing, with Maja Ognjenović distributing effectively to the middles and pins. Rašić and Brakočević combined for a dominant presence at the net, while Serbia’s back-row defence repeatedly denied Russia’s attempts to build momentum. Russia struggled with serve reception and became predictable in attack, allowing Serbia to set up their block early.

Standout Players

Milena Rašić was outstanding with five blocks and 12 points, controlling the net throughout. Jovana Brakočević led Serbia with 16 points, and Maja Ognjenović guided the offence with composure. For Russia, Natalia Malykh fought hard for 11 points, while Ekaterina Efimova showed promise in the middle, but the team’s overall efficiency fell short.

What It Means

The straight-sets win sent a clear message that Serbia Women would be a serious medal contender at the European Games. For Russia W, the defeat exposed areas to address in attack and reception, and they would need a swift response in their next outing to keep their tournament ambitions on track.