All roads lead to Tokyo as World Grand Prix finalists decided Lausanne, Switzerland, August 17, 2014 – Turkey and Russia claimed the last two places for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Finals on Sunday as the Preliminary Round reached a dramatic conclusion. The two sides will join hosts Japan, Group 2 winners and World Grand Prix debutants Belgium as well as defending champions Brazil and China in Tokyo when the climax to the premier annual women’s volleyball tournament begins on Wednesday. Russia went into the final match of the day knowing that a 3-0 or 3-1 victory would see them leapfrog USA and deny them a ticket to Japan. They took on Germany in Pool H, who also had a narrow chance of reaching the Finals. But Russia used their home advantage to pick up a straight sets (27-25, 26-24, 26-24) triumph and maintain their 100 per cent home winning record with nine victories from nine. Earlier in the day Turkey guaranteed their place in the last six by disposing of Italy 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23). They will now look to better their bronze medal performance in 2012 when they last reached the Finals. USA had done everything asked of them in their Pool G clash with the Dominican Republic. They picked up a 3-1 (25-21, 15-25, 25-19, 29-27) win over their Caribbean rivals but were forced to rely on results in other matches, which unfortunately for the Americans didn’t go their way. In the other match from the pool Brazil beat hosts Thailand in straights sets (25-15, 25-18, 25-17). Korea captain Kim Yeon-Koung scored 30 points in her side’s four set (20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24) win over Serbia. The victory took them to 13 points to give them an early outside chance of making the finals but this hope was quickly extinguished. Japan saw off Asian rivals China 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 28-26) in the other Pool I match. Finally Bulgaria secured their place in Group 2 next year by wrapping up the Group 3 final. They saw off the Czech Republic in straight sets (25-16, 25-13, 25-17) in front of their home fans in Samokov to gain promotion. Croatia finished third by beating Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-17). Key points • Kim Yeon-Koung had another high-scoring match with 30 points from 20 attacks, 4 blocks and six aces • Dominican Republic ended their season with only one win that came during the first weekend of the Preliminary Round • Brazil end the Preliminary Round having won 27 sets and dropped just three • They are also the only undefeated team in the tournament • It is the first time in five years that USA will not feature in the Finals • Yuki Ishii stepped up on offence for Japan this time, with 24 points • This is the first time Turkey have beaten Italy in the World Grand Prix. Italy won the last two meetings between the sides in 2008 and 2013 • It was the 11th win from 12 meetings in the World Grand Prix for Russia over German
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 08:48:03 +0000
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