Russia, Brazil reach semifinals
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
TOKYO, Nov 9 (AFP): Defending champions Russia, Brazil and Japan Tuesday reached the semi-finals of the world women's volleyball championship after securing top-two places in their groups.
Top scorer Ekaterina Gamova scored 18 points to lead Russia to a 25-19, 25-8, 25-12 victory over 2006 bronze medallists Serbia to remain unbeaten with six straight wins in the eight-team Pool E round robin competition in Tokyo.
Beijing Olympic gold medallists Brazil breezed past Germany 25-16, 25-13, 25-21 also for sixth straight win in Pool F in Nagoya.
The top two teams from each group will go through to the semi-finals in Tokyo on Saturday.
The last spot will go to either the United States, who ended runners-up in the Olympics, or Italy, with the Americans edging closer to taking it when they defeated the Netherlands 25-17, 25-22, 25-18 for a 5-1 record in Nagoya.
In the last match of the day, Japan defeated South Korea 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 for a 5-1 win-loss record and now they will play Russia on Wednesday to decide top spot in Pool E.
"It doesn't mean anything that we are top of the table. It's important to win the championship, so we just play each game to win," said Russia coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin.
"We must win our games to win the championship and please our fans. We don't want to lose our fans."
Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes said he was satisfied with his team's performance.
"We have made the semifinals. This is an important step," said Guimaraes. "We played very well today. Our blocking, serving were good. We also counter-attacked very well."
For Japan it will be their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.
"I'm very happy with this result. Our goal is to win a medal, so we must win one or two more matches. A real competition will start from now on," said Saori Kimura, who was the team's highest scorer with 21 points.
Top scorer Ekaterina Gamova scored 18 points to lead Russia to a 25-19, 25-8, 25-12 victory over 2006 bronze medallists Serbia to remain unbeaten with six straight wins in the eight-team Pool E round robin competition in Tokyo.
Beijing Olympic gold medallists Brazil breezed past Germany 25-16, 25-13, 25-21 also for sixth straight win in Pool F in Nagoya.
The top two teams from each group will go through to the semi-finals in Tokyo on Saturday.
The last spot will go to either the United States, who ended runners-up in the Olympics, or Italy, with the Americans edging closer to taking it when they defeated the Netherlands 25-17, 25-22, 25-18 for a 5-1 record in Nagoya.
In the last match of the day, Japan defeated South Korea 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 for a 5-1 win-loss record and now they will play Russia on Wednesday to decide top spot in Pool E.
"It doesn't mean anything that we are top of the table. It's important to win the championship, so we just play each game to win," said Russia coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin.
"We must win our games to win the championship and please our fans. We don't want to lose our fans."
Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes said he was satisfied with his team's performance.
"We have made the semifinals. This is an important step," said Guimaraes. "We played very well today. Our blocking, serving were good. We also counter-attacked very well."
For Japan it will be their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.
"I'm very happy with this result. Our goal is to win a medal, so we must win one or two more matches. A real competition will start from now on," said Saori Kimura, who was the team's highest scorer with 21 points.