Undefeated U.S., hard-hitting Cuba lead quarterfinals
Erica Bulman, Associated Press, Bremen, Germany
Led by the unbeaten Americans and the hard-hitting reigning titlist Cuba, eight of the world's top teams enter the wide-open quarterfinals of the women's Volleyball World Championships on Wednesday.
The mouthwatering showdowns, which feature the top five finishers from the 2000 Olympics, include a clash between the confident Americans and three-time Olympic and world champion Cuba, as well as Russia against Bulgaria, the tournament's dark horse, in Bremen.
South Korea faces Italy while China meets Brazil in Stuttgart.
Russia, Italy and Bulgaria were the three medalists from last year's European Championship, while China and Korea squared off in the 2001 Asian Championship final.
USA and Cuba clashed in the final of the 2001 Norceca Championship, while Brazil was the 2001 South American Champion.
Six of the eight quarterfinalists also reached the final eight of the 2000 Olympic Games. Only Bulgaria and Italy were not among the top eight teams in Sydney.
The United States vs. Cuba match should offer the most thrills. The two have met on numerous occasions and are familiar with each other's style.
The Americans defeated Cuba in the final of the continental Noreca Championships last year and won World Grand Prix title the same year. But both teams appeared evenly matched at this season's Grand Prix, with the Americans finishing a disappointing sixth, just ahead of an even more disappointed Cuba.
The United States' block will be key against the Cubans, traditionally exceptional jumpers who play a hard power game.
On the other hand, the undefeated Americans, who sailed through unbeaten in their eight previous matches, have the mental strength the Cuban formation has lacked since the departure of several of its Olympic gold-medal winning players, since replaced by a new generation.
"It was a good finish to end the preliminary rounds unbeaten. It gives us momentum going into the quarterfinals," said Nancy Metcalf.
The Americans side blends experience and youth. Veteran Prikeba Phipps, 33, is a stabilizing force on the team, while young emerging players like Logan Tom and Heather Bown provide talent and contagious enthusiasm.
The Cubans started the tournament with a loss against Korea but quickly recovered and are still considered a medal threat. Yumilka Ruiz, one of the event's top scorers, Zoila Barros and Marta Sanchez, are always dangerous.
China and the fast-improving Brazilians are meeting for the second time of the tournament, after the Asian side beat the South Americans 3-1 in the opening round.
However, the outcome could be far different this time around.
China, preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has encountered problems, losing to Greece in the first round and to South Korea in the second. And Brazil's young formation will be entering the match pressure-free against its illustrious opponents.
China's Ruirui Zhao, Yanan Liu and setter Kun Feng are likely to pose the biggest problem for Brazil, while Paula Pequeno, Welissa Gonzalez and Luciana Nascimento will be the South American side's greatest weapons.
Three-time reigning European champions Russia are the clear favorites over 2001 European bronze medalist Bulgaria.
The 2002 Grand Prix champions have only suffered one loss in Germany, against the Americans the opening round and posted two impressive victories in the second over Italy and Cuba.
Russian players lead four of the individual statistics rankings, with Ekaterina Gamova as the top scorer, blocker and server, and Elizaveta Tichtchenko as the best attacker.
But Bulgaria can count on the spiker Antonia Zetova, who has been in top form and was instrumental in her team's victory over South Korea in the second round.
South Korean and Italy enter the quarterfinals on equal footing, both having exceeded pre-tournament expectations.