Brazilians score big win over Chinese in volleyball tourney

JAKARTA (JP): Brazil geared up its world championship finals on home soil with an important win over China in their women's volleyball World Grand Prix here yesterday.

The Brazilians spikers, orchestrated by the tournament's Most Valuable Player Fernanda Venturini, smashed their way to a 15-11, 13-15, 15-8, 15-11 victory which place them atop of the Group B standings.

Brazil carried a perfect 3-0 result with only dropping a set during the three-day round-robin matches. The South Americans will need only to maintain their grit in the next round in Macau, in its bid to make a trip to the grand final in Shanghai. China was placed second, but, as the host, it has secured the final ticket, whatever results it takes during the two preliminary rounds.

A nothing-to-lose China came a whisker yesterday as the Brazilians unleashed their devastating, well-aimed jumping smashes which seized all attention of the Indonesian crowd poured the 10,000-seat Senayan indoor stadium. Both squads entered the battle unbeatable.

Solid defense was also another Brazilian's attraction during yesterday's top-of-the-yable match. Alvarez Ana deserved the best blocker of the tournament as she never let her long arms turn down during China's assaults inspired by Sun Yue.

"We are a little bit nervous when we observed Brazil with a strong defense," Chinese coach Li Xiaofeng admitted. He denied that his players, knowing that they have assured of a final berth, were spiritless against their Brazilian rivals they had beaten twice in their last four encounters. China was spearheaded by 11 players who formed the national team at the last two Olympic Games.

"It is more than a morale booster as we are preparing for the world championship," Brazilian coach Bernando Rezende said. Brazil will host the most prestigious volleyball tournament in October.

The Brazilian women earned the winner's check US$50,000, while China had to be content with $30,000.

Earlier on the day, the Netherlands ended its losing streak by crushing hapless Peru 15-5, 15-2, 15-5. Peru left the tournament at the wooden spoon.

The second round will move to Macau in early September, where the four teams play another round-robin matches. The winner will qualify for the final in Shanghai in a week after.

The other preliminary rounds were held simultaneously in Taipei and Seoul.

Results

Brazil bt China 15-11, 13-15, 15-8, 15-11 Netherlands bt Peru 15-6, 15-2, 15-5 U.S.A bt S. Korea 9-15, 11-15, 15-7, 15-13, 15-9 Italy bt Germany 12-15, 15-6, 15-10, 15-9 Japan bt Russia 15-4, 15-13, 10-15, 10-15, 15-13 Cuba bt Taiwan 15-7, 15-5, 15-3

Standings (tabulate under played, won, lost, sets for, against, points):

Jakarta group Brazil 3 3 0 9 1 6 China 3 2 1 7 3 5 Netherlands 3 1 2 3 6 4 Peru 3 0 3 0 9 3

Seoul group United States 3 3 0 9 4 6 South Korea 3 2 1 8 4 5 Italy 3 1 2 6 7 4 Germany 3 0 3 1 9 3

Taipei group Cuba 3 3 0 9 2 6 Japan 3 2 1 6 5 5 Russia 3 1 2 7 7 4 Taiwan 3 0 3 1 9 3

Second round matches are next week in Tokyo, Macao and Bangkok, third round on Sept. 2-4 at Fukuoka (Japan), Guangzhou (China) and Manila with the final-four competition at Shanghai on Sept. 9-11.