Brazil lead the way towards the Final Six round with 15 points after two days of actions in second phase of the world championship
Katowice, Poland, September 11, 2014 – Three-time defending champions and top world-ranked Brazil maintained their unblemished record at the 2014 FIVB Men’s World Championship following a dominant victory over China (25-14, 25-23, 25-18) in Pool F on Thursday.
As they continue seeking for an unprecedented fourth title in a row, the South American side increased their points total to a maximum possible of 15 for an almost secure spot in the Final Six stage of the competition.
Meanwhile in Wroclaw also in Pool F, Olympic champions Russia defeated Cuba in four sets (25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19) as the European powerhouse stay with their sight on a seventh crown in the history of the competition. The Russians, who captured all previous six titles as the former Soviet Union, are next to Brazil in the table of positions with 14 points.
In Pool E, France kept the top place with 13 points after a 3-1 (25-22, 25-18, 30-32, 25-17) victory over Australia, while hosts Poland stayed in a close second spot with 12 points following also a 3-1 (3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-20, 26-24) success over Italy.
Germany and Canada in Pool F and Iran and United States in Pool E were also winners on Thursday to stay in contention for a ticket to the next round of two pools of three teams.
Germany won 3-1 (25-16, 25-15, 23-25, 25-17) over Bulgaria and Canada outplayed Finland 3-0 (27-25, 27-25, 25-19). Iran blanked Argentina 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-16) and United States defeated Serbia 3-1 (23-25, 29-27, 25-17, 25-21).
Positions
Pool E: France (4-1, 13 points), Poland (4-1, 12), Iran (4-1, 11), United States 3-2 (10), Argentina (1-4, 3), Italy (1-4, 2), Australia (0-5-0).
Pool F: Brazil (5-0, 15 points), Russia (5-0, 14), Germany (4-1, 12), Canada (4-1, 10), Bulgaria (1-4, 5), Finland (1-4, 2), Cuba (0-5, 2), China (0-5, 0).
Pool E in Bydgoszcz
Iran 3, Argentina 0
Amir Ghafour registered 17 points and Seyed Mousavi scored seven blocks among his 16 points as Iran crushed Argentina 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-16). The Iranians now have 11 points to 3 for the Argentineans.
Iran overwhelmed Argentina with a 51-33 advantage in spikes while outscoring the opponents 11-5 in blocks and 4-2 in aces.
Key points
• It was the fourth consecutive win for the Iranians
• Argentina had won the only previous match between the two teams in 1978
• Argentina suffered their third consecutive loss
Motjaba Mirzajanpour contributed 14 points in the victory while Jose Luis Gonzalez and Facundo Conte charted 11 and 9 points, respectively, for the defeated team.
France 3, Australia 1
France ruled in the four-setter (25-22, 25-18, 30-32, 25-17) against Australia to take their second victory and a total of 13 points.
Key points
• France have won the three meetings with Australia in world championships
• France tied their team-record of five consecutive victories set in 1970
• Australia have won only two of their last 18 matches at the world championship
France's Antonin Rouzier topped all scorers with 24 points followed in the French side by Kevin Tillie and Earvin Ngapeth who contributed 16 points apiece. Thomas Edgar top scored for Australia with 16 points while Adam White chipped in with 12 in the loss.
Pool E in Lodz
United States 3, Serbia 1
United States outserved Serbia 10-2 en route to an important 3-1 (23-25, 29-27, 25-17, 25-21) victory over Serbia. The win elevated the American’s points to 10 one more than the Serbians.
Key points
• United States snapped Serbia’s five-match winning streak
• United States won three of four matches with Serbia at the 2014 World League
• Serbia need one more win to equal their total of six in the 2010 edition
Matt Anderson led three USA players with double digits in the scores with 20 points, closely followed by Taylor Sander with 19, two blocks and two aces included. David Smith contributed 14 points. Aleksandar Anatasijevic led Serbia with 20 tallies while Srecko Lisinac and Nicola Kovacevic added 16 and 15.
Poland 3, Italy 1
After a bad start, Poland successfully regained their memory and recovered from the previous loss against USA to overcome Italy 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-20, 26-24). While the host squad still place high in Pool E, the Azzurri were ruled out of the competition.
Key points
• It was their second match at FIVB World Championship and Poland now lead 2-0
• It was the fourth consecutive defeats for the Italian side
• On the current season, both teams have clashed five times and the home side always prevailed.
Mariusz Wlazly gave an entire set to the local team as he uncorked 25 kills to steal the show. Michal Kubiak and setter Fabian Drzyzga were key substitutions and also helped a lot for the win. In the losing side, Luca Vettori topped the list with 18 points, while Filippo Lanza achieved 10 shots.
Pool F in Katowice
Brazil 3, China 0
Three-time defending champions Brazil stormed past China in straight sets (25-14, 25-23, 25-18) to increase their points tally to 15 points after two days of actions in the second round. China remained without points so far.
Key points
• It was the 100th victory of Brazil at the world championships
• Brazil had an 11-1 advantage in service winners
• China have lost their last five matches in straight sets
Ricardo Lucarelli Santos had 19 points, including three blocks and four aces, as Brazilian top scorer followed by Wallace de Souza and Lucas Saatkamp who tallied 9 points apiece. Weijun Zhong led China with 14 points.
Germany 3, Bulgaria 1
Germany improved to 12 points and a 4-1 win-loss record following the 3-1 (25-16, 25-15, 23-25, 25-17) over Bulgaria with a clear superiority in serves (12-3) and blocks (9-3).
Key points
• It was the 150th match for Bulgaria, the third country to reach this total following Brazil and Russia
• Germany have won six consecutive matches in the world championship
• Germany now lead 4-3 in head-to-head meetings with Bulgaria
Gyorgy Grozer recorded a tournament-high 8 aces and 19 points to lead the German victory. Three other players reached double figures in the scores for the winning side as Denys Kaliberda, Marcus Bohme and Sebastian Schwarz finished with 17, 12 and 10 points, respectively. Danail Milushev topped Bulgaria with 13 points.
Pool F in Wroclaw
Canada 3, Finland 0
Canada extended their winning streak to a team-record six matches after outdueling Finland in straight sets (27-25, 27-25, 25-19). The Cannucks increased their accumulated tally to 10 points while Finland remained stationed at two points.
Key points
•It was the 75th match of Canada at the world championships. They have won 31
•Finland had won their only previous meeting in 1978
• First time Canada score back-to-back wins against European teams
Gavin Schmitt was the main offensive force for Canada with 21 points while John Gordon Perrin and Nicholas Hoag added 11 and 9 points, respectively. Olli Kunnari had 12 for the Finns, followed by Matti Oivanen with 11, including six blocks.
Russia 3, Cuba 1
Olympic champions Russia defeated Cuba in four sets (25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19) staying close to the top of Pool F with 14 points, one less than the leading Brazil.
Key points
• Russia have won seven matches in this edition and ten in a row at the world championship
• The seven victories equal the total of Russia in the 2010 edition
• All six previous meetings of Cuba with Russia were against the former Soviet Union
The Russians held a 50-30 advantage in attacks and established a 9-1 big gap in aces while both teams had nine blocks. Dmitriy Ilinykh led Russia with 17 points while Nikolay Pavlov and Dmitriy Muserskiy each contributed 16 points in the win. Osmany Uriarte and Javier Jimenez were the main offensive players for the Cubans with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Cuba are now 0-5 with two points.
Best performances
Top scorer by day
24- Taylor Sander of United States v Belgium on 31-8-14
31- Zhi Yuan of China v Egypt on 1-9-14
27- Antonin Rouzier of France v Italy on 2-9-14
30- Zhi Yuan of China v Mexico on 3-9-14
20- Nikola Kovacevic of Serbia v Australia on 4-9-14
20- Jiri Kovar of Italy v Belgium on 4-9-14
20- Daniel Vargas of Mexico v Russia on 5-9-14
27- Maurice Torres of Puerto Rico v Italy on 6-9-14
25- Thomas Edgar of Australia v Venezuela on 7-9-14
23- Taylor Sander of United States v Poland on 10-9-14
24- Antonin Rouzier of France v Australia on 11-9-14
Top scoring performances
31- Zhi Yuan of China v Egypt on 1-9-14
30- Zhi Yuan of China v Mexico on 3-9-14
27- Antonin Rouzier of France v Italy on 2-9-14
27- Maurice Torres of Puerto Rico v Italy on 6-9-14
26- Kervin Piñerúa of Venezuela v Cameroon on 2-9-14
26- Matt Anderson of United States v Iran on 2-9-14
25- Taylor Sander of United States v Iran on 2-9-14
25- Jean Patrice Ndaki of Cameroon v Venezuela on 2-9-14
25- Ivan Zaytsev of Italy v France on 2-9-14
25- Todor Aleksiev of Bulgaria v Egypt on 6-9-14
25- Thomas Edgar of Australia v Venezuela on 7-9-14
Top blocking performances
8- Seyed Mousavi of Iran v Italy on 31-8-14
8- Seyed Mousavi of Iran v Puerto Rico on 7-9-14
7- Seyed Mousavi of Iran v France on 4-9-14
7- Felix Chapman of Cuba v Korea on 5-9-14
7- Seyed Mousavi of Iran v Argentina on 11-9-14
Top serving performances
8- Gyorgy Grozer of Germany v Bulgaria on 11-9-14
6- Zhi Yuan of China v Mexico on 3-9-14
6- Ricardo Lucarelli Santos of Brazil v Finland on 5-9-14
6- Kervin Piñerua of Venezuela v Australia on 7-9-14
6- Dimitriy Muserskiy of Russia v Bulgaria on 7-9-14
5- Dimitriy Muserskiy of Russia v Canada on 1-9-14
Top team blocking performances
18- Bulgaria v Egypt on 6-9-14
16- Korea v Tunisia on 1-9-14
16- Italy v Belgium on 4-9-14
16- Iran v Belgium on 6-9-14
16- Iran v Puerto Rico on 7-9-14
Top team serving performances
17- Russia v Bulgaria on 7-9-14
12- Germany v Bulgaria on 11-9-14
11- Venezuela v Cameroon on 2-9-14
11- Brazil v China on 11-9-14
10- United States v Serbia on 11-9-14
Highest scoring sets
33-31 China v Egypt (4th Set) on 1-9-14
33-31 Cameroon v Venezuela (3rd Set) on 2-9-14
32-30 Australia v France (3rd Set) on 11-9-14
31-29 United States v Serbia (2nd Set) on 11-9-14
29-27 France v Iran (4th Set) on 4-9-14
29-27 Serbia v Cameroon (3rd Set) on 7-9-14
29-27 France v Argentina (3rd Set) on 10-9-14
29-27 Serbia v Italy (2nd Set) on 10-9-14
29-27 United States v Poland (1st Set) on 10-9-14
Highest scoring matches
216- Finland d Cuba 3-2 (18-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-23, 15-12) on 1-9-14
216- Bulgaria d Egypt 3-2 (25-22, 26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 15-11) on 6-9-14
214- Australia d Venezuela 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-9) on 7-9-14
212- Russia d Bulgaria 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 15-11) on 7-9-14
211- Iran d United States 3-2 (25-23, 25-19, 19-25, 18-25, 17-15) on 2-9-14
207- Cuba d Tunisia 3-2 (16-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13) on 6-9-14
207- Canada d Cuba 3-2 (25-27, 25-18, 23-25, 25-11, 15-13) on 10-9-14
204- Australia d Venezuela 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 21-25, 25-16, 15-9) on 7-9-14
204- France d Belgium 3-2 (25-14, 21-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-12) on 7-9-14
203- Italy d France 3-2 (20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-13, 15-12) on 2-9-14
203- Mexico d Egypt 3-2 (16-25, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 15-10) on 7-9-14
203- USA v Poland 3-1 (29-27, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23) on 9-9-14
202- Canada d Bulgaria 3-2 (17-25, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 15-8) on 3-9-14
200- Brazil d Korea 3-2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-21, 17-25, 15-13) on 6-9-14