China's Weijun Zhong (left) attacks against Brazil's Wallace De Souza (centre) and Lucas Saatkamp (right)
Katowice, Poland, September 11, 2014- Brazil entered the record's book as they achieved their 100th victory in their history at the World Championships, this time against China 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-18) at Spodek Hall in Katowice, Poland on Thursday.
Brazil's win- loss ratio in Pool E improved to 5-0 with full mark of 15 points and 7-0 overall in the competition, while China dropped to 0-5.
Brazil's big gun, the outside hitter Lucarelli and opposite spiker Wallace were behind the victory not only with the points they scored in the match, but also with the motivations they gave to their teammates throughout the match
Key points
• This is the 100th victory for Brazil at the World Championships. They became the second nation to reach the century mark following Russia (including Soviet Union).
• This is the second win for Brazil over China in their sixth meeting at the World Championships, but the first in 28 years, when Brazil won the only time before. China won all other four meetings.
• This is the 11th consecutive win for Brazil in World Championship matches, the best since winning 12 in a row between 1994 and 1998.
• China have lost their last five World Championship matches in straight sets.
The first set began with a fine block displayed by Jingtao Xu and Runming Li. Shortly after that, after efficient Brazil’s spike and ace by Wallace, Brazil run 2-1 ahead. Brazil extended their leading to 5-2 adding Sidão’s kill and block by Bruno and Sidão. After the first technical timeout, Bruno managed to serve right into the opponent’s field and helped his team to lead 9-4. After Felipe Fonteles’s ace and Wallace’s kill, Brazil gained nine points in advance and went comfortably throughout the first set, finishing it 25-14, after Lucarelli’s fine spike.
Beginning the game on a point-by-point basis (4-4), both teams displayed fine spikes and counter-attacks spectacle, but after an efficient block by Zhi Juan and Jingtao Xu, there were China, who gained two points of leading (6-4). However, Brazil managed to catch up and run 8-7 ahead at the first technical timeout. After Bruno, Brazil jumped 13-10 ahead with Lucas and Murilo’s triple block, and forced China’s coach to call a timeout. With a fine left-wing spikes by Weijun Zhong and Jianjun Cui, China tried to take back touch and came at 18-17, forcing Bernardo Rezende to call a timeout for the first time during this match. However, Brazil stayed focused and their leading was kept till the end of the second set as they finished it 25-23 with Lucarelli’s kill.
Building 3-1 leading at the beginning of the third set, Brazil added some points with Wallace’s spikes and triple block which ended both-side fierce. Canarinhos led 8-4 at the first technical timeout. With Lucarelli and Eder’s performance, Brazil claimed their leading, being eight points ahead at the second technical timeout (16-8) and continued till the set finished 25-18 after Vissotto’s kill.