Head coach Zoran Terzic has released the long list of 29 players to represent Serbia at the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, starting next month at Italy's Adriatic resort of Rimini, including five from the squad that won the gold medal at the 2018 FIVB World Championship.

Bjanka Busa, Teodora Pusic, Ana Bjelica, Maja Aleksic and Milena Rasic were in Serbia's lineup when they edged Italy in five sets in the epic final of the World Championship three years ago in Yokohama.

They will be complemented by a host of younger and emerging stars who are sure to give fans an insight into the future of Serbian volleyball.The full list of 29 players selected by Terzic:

• Setters: Bojana Drca, Sladjana Mirkovic, Mila Djordjevic, Ana Jaksic, Rada Perovic.
• Opposites: Ana Bjelica, Vanja Savic, Vanja Bukilic, Sara Caric.
• Liberos: Teodora Pusic, Bojana Gocanin, Sanja Djurdejevic.
• Middle blockers: Milena Rasic, Mina Popovic Maja Aleksic, Bozica Markovic, Jovana Kocic, Hena Kurtagic, Jelena Delic, Sofija Medic, Minja Osmajic.
• Outside hitters: Bjanka Busa, Bojana Milenkovic, Katarina Lazovic, Sara Lozo, Jovana Cvetkovic, Aleksandra Uzelac, Jovana Mirosavljevic, Mina Mijatovic.

The final selection will enter the Rimini 'bubble' ahead of the start of the tournament which is scheduled for 25 May. A replacement of up to six players (from within the long list) may be made on 9 June.

The women's competition of the VNL includes 16 teams in a round robin tournament with the top four advancing to the semifinals on 24 June. The medals matches will be held on 25 June.