South Korea beats China, U.S. still unbeaten
Erica Bulman, Associated Press, Riesa, Germany
South Korea secured its place in the quarterfinals of the women's Volleyball World Championship with an unexpected 3-0 victory Sunday over unmotivated tournament favorite China.
The United States defeated host Germany in straight sets, confirming its status as favorite heading into the final eight as the only remaining undefeated team of the tournament.
In a dramatic fight for first place in its group, Russia avenged its Olympic final loss to Cuba, defeating the Caribbean side 3-1.
South Korea plays Italy and China faces Brazil in Stuttgart, while the United States meets Cuba and Russia takes on Bulgaria in Bremen in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
The Koreans needed to win at least two sets against Asia's No. 1 team to proceed to the last eight. The 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 victory over the Chinese vaulted South Korea into first place ahead of the double world champions in Group F.
"It was a lucky victory for us," South Korea's coach Hoa-Suk Ryu said. "I'm very happy we're qualified for the quarterfinals together with China."
China appeared reluctant to win from the get go, starting without its stars Zhao Ruirui and Feng Kun. The Chinese appeared to take control of the match midway through the set, coming back from a two-point deficit at 6-8 to lead 15-13. But after three Chinese blocking faults, the Koreans were once again leading 22- 20 before closing out the set.
Marked by long, spectacular rallies between the two Asian sides, the start of the second set was evenly balanced until 11- 11, when the Chinese side committed an unusually high number of faults, allowing South Korea to jump ahead 21-17. The Koreans clinched the set after China committed three more serving faults.
The Korean side applied pressure on the Chinese early in the third to jump ahead 10-4. Even then, China failed to respond, its top players still warming the bench. South Korea needed no urging to take advantage of the boon, clinching the win on its third match point.
The Americans, who initially struggled against Germany, finally prevailed 28-26, 25-20, 27-25 in an hour, 22 minutes for their eighth consecutive win.
"Our previous results count for nothing now," American team captain Tara Cross-Battle said. "It's a brand-new tournament now. It's knock-out now, there's no room for mistakes."
Russia finished atop the Group E standings ahead of Cuba after defeating the Caribbeans 22-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-17.
Earlier in Group E, Italy eliminated surprising rookies Greece 25-14, 25-23, 25-16 to eke through to the next round. The 2004 Olympic hosts, winless after three second-round matches, return home.
Riding the wave of their exciting victory against South Korea the previous day, Bulgaria dispatched underdogs Puerto Rico 25- 15, 25-16, 25-17, to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1970 and send the Caribbean side packing.
Brazil secured its berth, beating the Netherlands 3-1 in Group G. The Dutch side return home.