A fortnight ago, a bunch of twelve players, whose names were previously unheard of, came to Balewadi to participate in the men’s junior Volleyball World Championships. On Sunday, as they prepared to leave the city having guided the team to their best-ever fourth-place finish, Indian volleyball seemed to have made a statement.

Despite the loss in the third-place playoff, the team’s gritty performance throughout the tournament had won over many fans. The run was no fluke, however, and was a result of some serious planning and its execution.

Team India had arrived at the stadium a week before the tournament. “We wanted to get used to the courts,” said coach MH Kumara. Little did anyone know that this enigmatic set was plotting a demolition of those in its group. Again, coach Kumara would cleverly play down the victories, labelling his team as underdogs after crossing the first hurdle of ensuring a place in the top eight. “We have created history. Anything above this will be a bonus,” Kumara had said.

And sure enough, they got the bonus. They went on to beat the best in Europe to earn a semi-final clash against Brazil. Not many might have expected them to take even a set off the reigning world champions but they took the game to the tie-breaker before bowing out. It was unfortunate they didn’t win a medal. “A medal would have been ideal, but we are ecstatic with even a fourth place,” said the coach.

Among other positives, the team’s run had created a buzz in the city and, despite the swine flu scare, thousands of people flocked to the venues.

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