Japan upsets Russia to break win drought in volleyball GP

Eva C. Komandjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta

Japan chalked up its first win at the women's 2004 World Volleyball Grand Prix while Cuba continued its winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Germany on the opening day of the second series here on Friday.

Japan, which lost all three of its matches in the first series on its home turf, played an offense-oriented game against a depleted Russian squad to score a 3-1 victory at the packed Senayan Indoor Stadium.

Russia was playing without three key players -- Ekaterina Gamova, Evguenia Artamonova and Elizaveta Tischenko, who could not make it to Jakarta because of injuries they suffered in the first series.

Despite missing the three players, Russia was able to capitalize on early jitters by Japan to take the first game 25- 12.

The Japanese women began to pick up the pace at the start of the second game, forcing the Russians into a series of mistakes in front of the net.

Backed by more than 1,000 chanting supporters, the Japanese team, spearheaded by spikers Megumi Kurihara and Ai Otomo, ran rampant with deft smashes, leaving the Russian side helpless to respond. Last year's best blocker Anastasia Belikova and captain Alexandra Korukovets failed to inspire their teammates on defense.

Japan took the next two games 25-20 and 25-19.

The fourth game was a tighter affair, with the two teams fighting it out point by point. Russia looked to be in charge when it took a 22-20 lead, but the spirited Japanese women battled back to win the game 27-25 and seal the match.

Japanese head coach Shoici Yanagimoto told reporters during a postmatch press conference that the victory over the depleted Russian side was hard-fought.

"We lost the first game but we learned how to change a defeat into a victory," Yanagimoto said.

He said his team's leader Ikumi Narita was under pressure the entire match and did not perform well during the first game. He also mentioned the height factor as being an advantage for the Russians, most of whose players are over 190 centimeters tall.

The win avenged Japan's earlier defeat to Russia in the first series.

Russia's manager Mikhail Omelchenko said Japan played really good and the Russian players did not show their true character in the match.

Later in the day, Ruiz Luaces Yumilka led her Cuban teammates to a 25-19, 25-16, 18-25, 25-20 victory over Germany.

Led by powerful smashes, the Cubans stormed past Germany in the first game of the match.

Cuba again stormed out to a quick lead in the second game, but behind some impressive blocks and smashes Germany was able to close the gap at 12-11 before faltering and watching the Cubans race past to win the second game.

Germany regrouped in the third game, helped by Cuban mistakes on several critical points.

Cuba steadied themselves to win the fourth game 25-20 and take the match.

German coach Lee Hee-wan of South Korea said Cuba was a strong team and deserved to win the match.

"But I was also satisfied with my team as we were able to fight it our for every point," he said.

Saturday's matches will pit Germany against Japan and Russia against Cuba.