Brazil, Cuba and Japan book World Grand Champions Cup podium spots with one day to play
Nagoya, Japan, November 22, 2009 – Brazil, Cuba and Japan were confirmed as FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 medallists on Sunday after all three finished the penultimate day of competition in the Nippongaishi Hall in an unbeatable position at the head of the tournament standings. Defending champions Brazil lead the rankings with four victories following a 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-22) win over Egypt while Cuba beat Japan 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-22) and Poland earned their first win of the tournament beating Iran (25-23, 18-25, 28-26, 25-23). Defeat for Iran guaranteed Japan a podium finish for the first time in 32 years at an FIVB event.
With one day of competition remaining, world number one Brazil are the only unbeaten side while Cuba and Japan have both suffered one defeat each. Iran and Poland, who needed Cuba to lose to Japan in the last match of the day to keep their medal chances alive, are fourth and fifth respectively with one win apiece. Egypt will be hoping to beat Poland on Monday to claim their first win of the competition.
Brazil beat Egypt 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-22)
Brazil romped to a straight sets victory over Egypt to extend their win-loss record to 4-0 in their defence of the FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup. The South American champions were far from their fluid best but had enough individual quality to claim victory which puts them in the driving seat to win their third FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup crown, much to the delight of a large contingent of Brazilian fans in the arena. “Egypt played a very good match,” Brazil coach Bernardinho said. “We were not in the best rhythm and we know we must play better.”
Poland beat Iran 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 28-26, 25-23)
Poland won their first match of the FIVB Men's World Grand Champions Cup 2009 by beating Iran. The Poles came home on their second match point to improve their win-loss record for the week to 1-3 and keep alive a slim chance of claiming a bronze medal before Cuba’s victory over Japan extinguished that hope. Iran, who missed four set points in the third set, slipped to 1-3 with one game to go. “It is a great relief that we can finally win a match here because it is very important for us,” Poland captain Michal Bakiewicz said. “We played aggressively and with character and were very determined.”
Cuba beat Japan 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-22)
Cuba smashed Japan’s unbeaten record to pieces with a devastating display of power and precision in the last match on Sunday night. Even before the game started Japan had been guaranteed a medal following the defeat of Iran earlier in the day. This meant Japan, with three wins against no defeats, would secure at least a bronze – their first medal in an FIVB event for 32 years, since taking silver at the 1977 World Cup. “I want to congratulate my players for winning a medal in such a great competition with all the champions of the continents, and I hope this will be the beginning of a new history in Japanese Volleyball,” Japan coach Tatsuya Ueta said. “They have done a great job.”
Schedule for Day Six: Cuba v Iran (13.30), Poland v Egypt (15.30), Brazil v Japan (19.00)
For more info: Richard Baker - FIVB Deputy Communications Director
Mobile in Japan: +81 (0)80 1311 9988 or press@fivb.org
Copa dos Grandes Campeoes 2009
-
PAULPERU
- Hincha
- Mensajes: 973
- Registrado: 09 Nov 2009, 21:47
- Nombre: Paul
- Ubicación: Lima
Final standing
1 Brazil
2 Cuba
3 Japan
4 Poland
5 Iran
6 Egypt
Standing
1 BRA Brazil 10
2 CUB Cuba 9
3 JPN Japan 8
4 POL Poland 7
5 IRI Iran 6
6 EGY Egypt 5
Results
1 18-Nov EGY-IRI 2-3 25-21 20-25 21-25 25-17 10-15
2 18-Nov CUB-BRA 2-3 22-25 26-24 18-25 25-23 10-15
3 18-Nov JPN-POL 3-2 22-25 25-15 21-25 25-21 15-10
4 19-Nov IRI-BRA 1-3 22-25 18-25 25-23 19-25
5 19-Nov POL-CUB 1-3 25-22 18-25 18-25 22-25
6 19-Nov EGY-JPN 1-3 15-25 25-22 21-25 17-25
7 21-Nov BRA-POL 3-0 25-17 25-17 25-18
8 21-Nov CUB-EGY 3-2 25-17 23-25 25-14 23-25 15-7
9 21-Nov JPN-IRI 3-2 27-25 18-25 25-23 20-25 16-14
10 22-Nov EGY-BRA 0-3 21-25 22-25 22-25
11 22-Nov IRI-POL 1-3 23-25 25-18 26-28 23-25
12 22-Nov JPN-CUB 0-3 19-25 20-25 22-25
13 23-Nov CUB-IRI 3-1 25-14 25-22 15-25 25-15
14 23-Nov POL-EGY 3-0 25-19 25-18 25-19
15 23-Nov BRA-JPN 3-0 25-12 26-24 25-22
1 Brazil
2 Cuba
3 Japan
4 Poland
5 Iran
6 Egypt
Standing
1 BRA Brazil 10
2 CUB Cuba 9
3 JPN Japan 8
4 POL Poland 7
5 IRI Iran 6
6 EGY Egypt 5
Results
1 18-Nov EGY-IRI 2-3 25-21 20-25 21-25 25-17 10-15
2 18-Nov CUB-BRA 2-3 22-25 26-24 18-25 25-23 10-15
3 18-Nov JPN-POL 3-2 22-25 25-15 21-25 25-21 15-10
4 19-Nov IRI-BRA 1-3 22-25 18-25 25-23 19-25
5 19-Nov POL-CUB 1-3 25-22 18-25 18-25 22-25
6 19-Nov EGY-JPN 1-3 15-25 25-22 21-25 17-25
7 21-Nov BRA-POL 3-0 25-17 25-17 25-18
8 21-Nov CUB-EGY 3-2 25-17 23-25 25-14 23-25 15-7
9 21-Nov JPN-IRI 3-2 27-25 18-25 25-23 20-25 16-14
10 22-Nov EGY-BRA 0-3 21-25 22-25 22-25
11 22-Nov IRI-POL 1-3 23-25 25-18 26-28 23-25
12 22-Nov JPN-CUB 0-3 19-25 20-25 22-25
13 23-Nov CUB-IRI 3-1 25-14 25-22 15-25 25-15
14 23-Nov POL-EGY 3-0 25-19 25-18 25-19
15 23-Nov BRA-JPN 3-0 25-12 26-24 25-22
Just call my name... I´ll be there
-
PAULPERU
- Hincha
- Mensajes: 973
- Registrado: 09 Nov 2009, 21:47
- Nombre: Paul
- Ubicación: Lima
Cuba’s Roberlandy Simon named FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup MVP
Nagoya, Japan, November 23, 2009 – Cuba captain Roberlandy Simon was awarded the FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 Most Valuable Player award for his key role in seeing the NORCECA champions claim a silver medal at the inter-continental event after Cuba finished with a win loss record of 4-1.
Simon was instrumental in seeing Cuba put in some impressive performances during the week long tournament, as the world number 13 beat Poland, Egypt, Japan and Iran after losing to Brazil on the opening day.
Call it consistency or money in the bank but the bottom line is that Simon was the most reliable player of the 2009 FIVB Men’s Grand Champions Cup and the big Cuban fellow had the numbers to prove it.
Awarded as the top blocker (1.00 per set) and best server (16 aces) of the competition besides being best scorer of his team with 74 points (14.8), Simon also received the trophy as Most Valuable Player during the closing ceremony held at Nippongaishi Hall in Nagoya on Monday.
The 22-year-old native of Havana, considered the glue that holds the pieces together in the Cuban team, assumes his role as captain of the squad with serious responsibility despite his young age.
“Simon is an exceptional athlete, a hard-working player, a great human being and we feel very fortunate to have somebody like him in our team,” said Orlando Samuels, the Cuban coach. “Despite being so young, he is constantly helping his teammates on and off the court and also wants to share his knowledge. He is a leader by example and that is the reason we selected him as captain of our team. He has been the most consistent player of our team and there is no doubt that he is among the best of this tournament.”
Samuels explained it is just a matter of coincidence that the middle blocker of 2.06 meters and 91 kilos of solid muscle is continuing the recent tradition of Cuba having a middle blocker to captain the team. He succeeded Pavel Pimienta, Josvany Hernandez and Raul Vilchez who also played as centres.
“In Cuba, like in many other countries the tradition was to have setters as captains because they are the players who control the game,” said Samuels. “But in the case of those other three players they also happened to have similar qualities as Simon.”
Despite his overall outstanding performance during the FIVB Men’s Grand Champions Cup, Simon is not completely satisfied with it. “I have had a good tournament as a blocker which always has been my strongest points and as a server it has been the best of my life,” he admitted. “But as a spiker I am not that happy because it has not been the best one for me.”
Simon, who debuted in the FIVB World League in the 2005 playing just one game- situation against France, was the best spiker and second best blocker of this year’s edition.
When asked about the reasons for being the Cuban captain, Simon pointed to the same qualities cited by his coach but also self-criticized for his mistakes and sometimes out of control reactions. “I am a very responsible and disciplined guy and also can get along with my teammates very well,” he responded. “It is not easy to deal with a group of young players, myself included, who needs to control emotions and things like that.
“As a player and captain of Team Cuba I want to continue progressing and I think we are going on the right way in this new Olympic cycle,” Simon said.
The last and only time Cuba’s men won an Olympic medal was the 1976 Games in Montreal when they won the bronze. Simon and his teammates surely want to stop the prolonged drought.
The 22-year-old from Havana also received the Best Blocker and Best Server awards and was also Cuba’s top scorer in the tournament (2nd equal overall) with 74 points, 15 behind the leader from Japan Kunihiro Shimizu.
FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 Award Winners
MVP
Roberlandy Simon - Cuba
Born: 11/06/1987
Number of Caps: 11
Best Scorer
Kunihiro Shimizu - Japan
Born: 11/08/1986
Number of caps: 72
Best Spiker
Tatsuya Fukuzawa - Japan
Born: 01/07/1986
Number of caps:53
Best Blocker
Roberlandy Simon - Cuba
Best Server
Roberlandy Simon - Cuba
Best Setter
Bruno - Brazil
Born: 02/07/1986
Number of caps: 32
Best Libero
Sergio – Brazil
Born: 15/10/1975
Number of caps: 147
For more info: Richard Baker - FIVB Deputy Communications Director
Mobile in Japan: +81 (0)80 1311 9988 or press@fivb.org
Nagoya, Japan, November 23, 2009 – Cuba captain Roberlandy Simon was awarded the FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 Most Valuable Player award for his key role in seeing the NORCECA champions claim a silver medal at the inter-continental event after Cuba finished with a win loss record of 4-1.
Simon was instrumental in seeing Cuba put in some impressive performances during the week long tournament, as the world number 13 beat Poland, Egypt, Japan and Iran after losing to Brazil on the opening day.
Call it consistency or money in the bank but the bottom line is that Simon was the most reliable player of the 2009 FIVB Men’s Grand Champions Cup and the big Cuban fellow had the numbers to prove it.
Awarded as the top blocker (1.00 per set) and best server (16 aces) of the competition besides being best scorer of his team with 74 points (14.8), Simon also received the trophy as Most Valuable Player during the closing ceremony held at Nippongaishi Hall in Nagoya on Monday.
The 22-year-old native of Havana, considered the glue that holds the pieces together in the Cuban team, assumes his role as captain of the squad with serious responsibility despite his young age.
“Simon is an exceptional athlete, a hard-working player, a great human being and we feel very fortunate to have somebody like him in our team,” said Orlando Samuels, the Cuban coach. “Despite being so young, he is constantly helping his teammates on and off the court and also wants to share his knowledge. He is a leader by example and that is the reason we selected him as captain of our team. He has been the most consistent player of our team and there is no doubt that he is among the best of this tournament.”
Samuels explained it is just a matter of coincidence that the middle blocker of 2.06 meters and 91 kilos of solid muscle is continuing the recent tradition of Cuba having a middle blocker to captain the team. He succeeded Pavel Pimienta, Josvany Hernandez and Raul Vilchez who also played as centres.
“In Cuba, like in many other countries the tradition was to have setters as captains because they are the players who control the game,” said Samuels. “But in the case of those other three players they also happened to have similar qualities as Simon.”
Despite his overall outstanding performance during the FIVB Men’s Grand Champions Cup, Simon is not completely satisfied with it. “I have had a good tournament as a blocker which always has been my strongest points and as a server it has been the best of my life,” he admitted. “But as a spiker I am not that happy because it has not been the best one for me.”
Simon, who debuted in the FIVB World League in the 2005 playing just one game- situation against France, was the best spiker and second best blocker of this year’s edition.
When asked about the reasons for being the Cuban captain, Simon pointed to the same qualities cited by his coach but also self-criticized for his mistakes and sometimes out of control reactions. “I am a very responsible and disciplined guy and also can get along with my teammates very well,” he responded. “It is not easy to deal with a group of young players, myself included, who needs to control emotions and things like that.
“As a player and captain of Team Cuba I want to continue progressing and I think we are going on the right way in this new Olympic cycle,” Simon said.
The last and only time Cuba’s men won an Olympic medal was the 1976 Games in Montreal when they won the bronze. Simon and his teammates surely want to stop the prolonged drought.
The 22-year-old from Havana also received the Best Blocker and Best Server awards and was also Cuba’s top scorer in the tournament (2nd equal overall) with 74 points, 15 behind the leader from Japan Kunihiro Shimizu.
FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 Award Winners
MVP
Roberlandy Simon - Cuba
Born: 11/06/1987
Number of Caps: 11
Best Scorer
Kunihiro Shimizu - Japan
Born: 11/08/1986
Number of caps: 72
Best Spiker
Tatsuya Fukuzawa - Japan
Born: 01/07/1986
Number of caps:53
Best Blocker
Roberlandy Simon - Cuba
Best Server
Roberlandy Simon - Cuba
Best Setter
Bruno - Brazil
Born: 02/07/1986
Number of caps: 32
Best Libero
Sergio – Brazil
Born: 15/10/1975
Number of caps: 147
For more info: Richard Baker - FIVB Deputy Communications Director
Mobile in Japan: +81 (0)80 1311 9988 or press@fivb.org
Just call my name... I´ll be there
-
PAULPERU
- Hincha
- Mensajes: 973
- Registrado: 09 Nov 2009, 21:47
- Nombre: Paul
- Ubicación: Lima
Brazil capture third FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup title
Nagoya, Japan, November 23, 2009 – World champions Brazil successfully defended their FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup title amongst jubilant scenes in the Nippongaishi Hall after Brazil beat Japan in the final match on Monday. A full house gave Brazil the perfect reception after the world number one finished the tournament unbeaten with five wins from five with Cuba, four wins and one defeat, and Japan, three wins and two defeats, claiming silver and bronze medals respectively.
The FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 win follows Brazil’s earlier triumphs in 2005 and 1997 and adds another FIVB tournament to an impressive trophy collection, which includes the 2009 World League, 2007 World Cup and the 2006 World Championship titles. Cuba’s silver medal was their second-best finish in the tournament after a title triumph in 2001 while Japan recorded their best result in the tournament, which features the continental champions and a wild card entry, by claiming their first medal in an FIVB event for 32 years, since taking silver at the 1977 World Cup.
Award Ceremony Photo Gallery
Cuba beat Iran 3-1 (25-14, 25-22, 15-25, 25-15)
Cuba impressively beat Iran in the first match of the final day of competition but the NORCECA champions had to work hard to hold off a determined Iran side to end the six-team inter-continental championship with a 4-1 record. Iran closed at 1-4, having started the tournament with a spectacular 3-2 victory over Egypt. “We could have won more easily, but this was a good match for us,” Wilfredo Leon said. “I have had a very good experience during this tournament and I can now get ready for the next World Championship.”
Poland beat Egypt 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19)
Poland saved their best for last and beat Egypt in the second match of the final day. The European champions showed flashes of brilliance in a consistent and determined display to sweep the African champions and end the tournament in fourth position with a respectable 2-3 record. Egypt finished winless at 0-5. “I am very happy that we finished this tournament with another win,” captain Michal Bakiewicz said. “After yesterday, we played quite secure and it is very important for us because we started the tournament quite badly.”
Brazil beat Japan 3-0 (25-12, 26-24, 25-22)
Brazil clinched their third FIVB World Grand Champions Cup by sweeping Japan in the last match of the tournament to finish with a perfect 5-0 record. The South American champions showed Japan who was boss in a comprehensive victory. Japan finished the week at 3-2, good enough to take the bronze medal behind Cuba. “In the tournament as a whole we had our ups and downs but when we needed to be stable in the big matches we played better,” Brazil coach Bernardinho said. “That is the most important thing. Right now we are going to party tonight but from tomorrow I must start thinking how to build a stronger team for next year’s World League and World Championship.”
Final Standings: 1) Brazil, 2) Cuba, 3) Japan, 4) Poland, 5) Iran, 6) Egypt
Awards: MVP – R. Simon (CUB), Best Scorer: K. Shimizu (JPN), Best Spiker: R. Simon (CUB), Best Blocker: R. Simon (CUB), Best Setter: Bruno (BRA), Best Libero: Sergio (BRA)
For more info: Richard Baker - FIVB Deputy Communications Director
Mobile in Japan: +81 (0)80 1311 9988 or press@fivb.org
Nagoya, Japan, November 23, 2009 – World champions Brazil successfully defended their FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup title amongst jubilant scenes in the Nippongaishi Hall after Brazil beat Japan in the final match on Monday. A full house gave Brazil the perfect reception after the world number one finished the tournament unbeaten with five wins from five with Cuba, four wins and one defeat, and Japan, three wins and two defeats, claiming silver and bronze medals respectively.
The FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup 2009 win follows Brazil’s earlier triumphs in 2005 and 1997 and adds another FIVB tournament to an impressive trophy collection, which includes the 2009 World League, 2007 World Cup and the 2006 World Championship titles. Cuba’s silver medal was their second-best finish in the tournament after a title triumph in 2001 while Japan recorded their best result in the tournament, which features the continental champions and a wild card entry, by claiming their first medal in an FIVB event for 32 years, since taking silver at the 1977 World Cup.
Award Ceremony Photo Gallery
Cuba beat Iran 3-1 (25-14, 25-22, 15-25, 25-15)
Cuba impressively beat Iran in the first match of the final day of competition but the NORCECA champions had to work hard to hold off a determined Iran side to end the six-team inter-continental championship with a 4-1 record. Iran closed at 1-4, having started the tournament with a spectacular 3-2 victory over Egypt. “We could have won more easily, but this was a good match for us,” Wilfredo Leon said. “I have had a very good experience during this tournament and I can now get ready for the next World Championship.”
Poland beat Egypt 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19)
Poland saved their best for last and beat Egypt in the second match of the final day. The European champions showed flashes of brilliance in a consistent and determined display to sweep the African champions and end the tournament in fourth position with a respectable 2-3 record. Egypt finished winless at 0-5. “I am very happy that we finished this tournament with another win,” captain Michal Bakiewicz said. “After yesterday, we played quite secure and it is very important for us because we started the tournament quite badly.”
Brazil beat Japan 3-0 (25-12, 26-24, 25-22)
Brazil clinched their third FIVB World Grand Champions Cup by sweeping Japan in the last match of the tournament to finish with a perfect 5-0 record. The South American champions showed Japan who was boss in a comprehensive victory. Japan finished the week at 3-2, good enough to take the bronze medal behind Cuba. “In the tournament as a whole we had our ups and downs but when we needed to be stable in the big matches we played better,” Brazil coach Bernardinho said. “That is the most important thing. Right now we are going to party tonight but from tomorrow I must start thinking how to build a stronger team for next year’s World League and World Championship.”
Final Standings: 1) Brazil, 2) Cuba, 3) Japan, 4) Poland, 5) Iran, 6) Egypt
Awards: MVP – R. Simon (CUB), Best Scorer: K. Shimizu (JPN), Best Spiker: R. Simon (CUB), Best Blocker: R. Simon (CUB), Best Setter: Bruno (BRA), Best Libero: Sergio (BRA)
For more info: Richard Baker - FIVB Deputy Communications Director
Mobile in Japan: +81 (0)80 1311 9988 or press@fivb.org
Just call my name... I´ll be there