channelnewsasia.com - Volleyball Brazil march on in World Grand Prix
   
 
  blogs  
 
yournews
   
   
 
Video Finance Lifestyle Travel Weather Discussion TV Shows
CNA Live    | About Us 
 
  Home ›
 
Sports News
Smaller Text Size Larger Text Size

 
 

Volleyball: Brazil march on in World Grand Prix
Posted: 21 August 2009 2345 hrs

 
 
Photos  of

   
 

TOKYO: Beijing Olympic gold medallists Brazil on Friday powered past Germany in the final round to maintain their impressive winning streak in the World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament.

The Brazilians, who finished top in the three qualifying weeks with nine straight wins and no defeats, coasted to a 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 victory, a third successive win in the final round.

"Everything went very well with us, including tactics, serves, defence and blocking," said Brazilian captain Danielle Lins.

"This is a completely new team from the Olympics. I and Natalia (Pereira) were not the starting players in Beijing and eight of us are new. I feel this new team is getting better and better day by day."

The top five teams after the three qualifying weeks and hosts Japan are competing in the six-team round robin final round, with defending champions Brazil eyeing a record eighth title.

World champions Russia avenged their loss in Ningbo three weeks ago by beating Athens Olympic gold medallists China 27-29, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23, while Japan upset the Netherlands 25-22, 25-18, 25-22.

Russian coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin, however, was not a happy man.

"I'm satisfied with the win, but I'm not satisfied with our performance. We can play better and we must play much better than today," said Kuzyutkin.

"It is not that we won because we played well, but we won because the Chinese didn't play well."

Chinese coach Cai Bin said his side struggled with Russian attacker Tatyana Kosheleva, the team's highest scorer with 30 points.

"We couldn't check her enough, allowing her to hit spikes as she wanted to do. She did a great job today. Besides, we made too many errors because our team is still young," said Cai.

"My players have been tired physically after the three qualifying weeks, while the level of the top teams are very close now. I'm not confident to beat those top teams right now. The experiences of the teams make the difference."

Chinese captain Wei Qiuyue denied that the team has lost confidence.

"Although we haven't won in three matches this week, all our opponents were strong. It is not that we lost confidence because of the defeats, we came here to challenge strong teams," Wei said.

The final round concludes on Sunday, with the side that finishes top of the pile taking the title.

Brazil head the group with a 100 percent record, a point ahead of Russia and the Netherlands. - AFP/de

 

 
Bookmark and Share



Other sports News
Football: Chelsea, United cruise as Arsenal stumble
Football: Ireland admits defeat in World Cup replay bid
Swimming: Mellouli finds swimming form in Singapore
Golf: Westwood gains upper hand over McIlroy
Football: Inter Milan stroll to win, go eight clear
Football: Bremen top Bundesliga after routing Freiburg
Football: Liverpool and City inflict mutual damage
Football: Europe stunned by football match-rigging bombshell
Football: Injured Beckham expects to play MLS Cup final
Football: Marseille edge PSG in French league
Football: Henry offers replay after FIFA rules it out
Golf: Italy's Molinari takes Dunlop Phoenix golf lead
Golf: Rain plays havoc with LPGA Tour Championship
Basketball: LeBron James scores 40 as Cavs down Pacers
Tennis: Federer and Nadal set to battle for number one spot
Figure Skating: Home hope Rochette leads short programme
Rugby: Seven-try France smash sorry Samoa
Rugby: Springboks end losing run in Italy
Rugby: Wales cruise to rugby victory over Argentina
Rugby: New Zealand see off battling England in rugby test
Rugby: Albi shock Perpignan in Top 14
Cricket: First S.Africa-England one-day international rained off
Football: Desperate Liverpool face City crunch

 

 
Affiliate Sites:
 
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  Advertise with Us  |  Terms & Conditions