Nikola Grbić


Nikola Grbić is a Serbian professional volleyball coach and former player, a head coach of ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. He has been a member of Yugoslavia in 1995–2003, Serbia and Montenegro in 2003–2006 and Serbia in 2006–2010, gold medalist of the Olympic Games Sydney 2000, bronze medalist of the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, also participant of the Olympic Games, multimedalist of the World Championships, European Championships and World League, a two–time Italian Champion, Russian Champion. He was named European Player of the Year in 2007 and inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Early life

Grbić was born in Klek, Serbia, Yugoslavia. He has an older brother Vladimir, who is also former professional volleyball player.

Personal life

From 2006, he is married with Stanislava and they have two sons who practice volleyball.

Career as player

Club

After the embargo was lifted in 1994, Nikola Yugoslavian national team career resumed at a time when he transferred to Italian club team Gabeca Montichiari, which started a 13-year career playing for eight different Italian teams and resulting in eight league titles from 1994 to 2013.
He won two Championship titles in Italy, and one in Russia. He also won two CEV Euro Champions League titles.

National team

He started with senior national team in 1991, when he was 18 years old. Then, for two years wasn't playing because of international embargo. He was a captain of his national team in 1999–2010. In 1996 Yugoslavia, including Grbić, won bronze medal of the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996. Nikola was honored as the European Championship Best Setter in 1997 as Yugoslavia earned the silver medal. In 1998 Yugoslavia on Volleyball at the World World Championship won a silver medal. At the next Olympics his team achieved gold of the Olympic Games 2000 in Sydney. Yugoslavia went on to capture the 2000 Olympic Games gold-medal with a dominating three-set win over Russia in the finals. They beat Russia in final match. Again, in 2010, with Serbia his team won a bronze medal. Nikola career was not over following Beijing as he helped Serbia win bronze at the 2010 FIVB World Championship in Italy where he was named Best Setter of the tournament. Nikola career was not over following Beijing as he helped Serbia win bronze at the World Championship.

Career as coach

In May 2014 he became head coach of Italian club Sir Safety Perugia. On 3 February 2015 Grbić was announced new head coach of Serbia men's national volleyball team. Nikola in the first step winner Silver medal at 2015 FIVB World League. In next year Serbia with powerful presence winner Gold medal 2016 FIVB World League. Serbia had lost their five previous appearances in World League final including three times to Brazil and last year’s against France, now after five silver medals and three bronze, in 2016 year won first Gold medal.

Sporting achievements

As a player