Re: Copa dos Grandes Campeoes 2009
Publicado: 22 Nov 2009, 13:32
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
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