Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-09-09 From: Xinhuanet

JAKARTA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) — China’s hope to win the title of the 2007 Asian men’s Volleyball Championship was smashed by Japan as China lost to Japan in straight sets here on Saturday in the top eight round of the tournament.

The Chinese team, who landed their last championship at the Asia Championship in 1999, was beaten by Japan 20-25, 22-25, 21-25in 66 minutes. With only one match remaining in the round-robin tournament, China can only strive for the third place as Australia still remained unbeaten.

Shen Qiong scored 12 points to lead the Chinese team and Yuan Zhi had 8.

“It was a really disappointing match, Japan played better in every aspect than us.” said Chinese head coach Zhou Jian’an.

“It is not a surprise that Japan won the game in straight sets, we were totally beaten during the game.” said Zhou.

Takahiro Yamamoto scored a game-high 21 points to lead defending champion Japan to an easy victory, including 16 spikes, two blocks and three aces.

“It is a hard game, but Yamamoto played very well to help us win the game.” said Ueta Tatsuya, headcoach of Japan.

“We did better in serving and blocking, that’s why we won the game.” added Ueta.

In Thursday’s other action, Australia swept Thailand 3-0 to keep a perfect record in the tournament.

Updated: 2007-09-09 From: Xinhuanet

JAKARTA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) — Australia beat Thailand 3-0 to register their sixth consecutive victory in the 2007 Asian men’s Volleyball Championship here on Saturday.

The Australian team whitewashed Thailand 25-21, 25-20, 25-19 to become the only unbeaten team in the eight-team, round robin tournament as China lost to Korea 0-3 on Thursday.

Alderman Brett, who had 10 points, was the only player scored more than 10 in the Australia team, but the overall advantage help his team taking the easy victory.

Australia had 18 blocks during the 66-minute match while Thailand had three.

All 12 Australian players were sent on the court and except libero Desalvo Phillip and Earl Andrew, everyone had scores.

Sriphum Supachai leaded Thailand with 13 points, Jitjumroon Supachai had 10 and Tabwises Wanchai 9.

Australia will clash China on Sunday, if they could win the match, they will be the champion of the tournament with a perfect record.

China will play against defending Champion Japan later on Saturday.

Updated: 2008-08-22 22:04:26

(BEIJING, August 22) — World No.1 Brazil defeated Italy 19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 in the second semifinal of the Men’s Volleyball tournament on Friday, August 22. Italy also fell to Brazil in Athens — losing in four sets in the gold medal match. Brazil will compete against the the United States, champion of the 2008 FIVB World League, for gold at the Capital Gymnasium on August 24, while Russia will compete with Italy for bronze. Brazil and the United States will be playing for gold in the Women’s Volleyball tournament as well.

Updated: 2008-08-22 16:10:21

(BEIJING, August 22) — The United States survived a Russian comeback by winning a close tie-break, advancing to the Men’s Volleyball final on the strength of a gritty 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13 semifinal victory. The United States will play the winner of the Italy-Brazil semifinal in the gold medal match on Sunday, August 24.

The match turned into an intense battle betweenAlexanderKosarev and MaximMikhaylov of Russia and William Priddy andClaytonStanley of the United States.

Stanley executed118km/h serves and saw Russia struggle to set up their quick offense in the opening set while Priddy’s left side spikesgave the US teama good start.

Priddy and Stanley continued to lead theUS offense,controlling the flow of the game. Kosarev and Mikhaylov responded with some impressive attacks butYury Berezhkoof Russia spiked into the net offering the United States a decisive lead.

Russiaadjusted their blocking in the third setto counterthe USattacks on the net. Sergey Tetyukhim’s quick middle attack sparked a Russian comeback and Mikhaylov was unstoppable attacking from all corners of the court. A single-block fromAlexander Volkovended the crucial set in Russia’s favor.

Mikhaylov sustained his quick attacking rhythm and Russia capitalized on four service errors by the United Statesto force the match into a fifth set.

The last set of the match saw an exchange of strong spikes from both sides before David Leefinally gave set point to the United States. Adouble block from Lee and Riley Salmonwon the set and the match.

A USMen’s teamlast played in a gold medal Volleyball match 20 years agoin Seoul 1988. Theywon a bronze medal in Barcelona 1992.The US Women’s team will be playing in the gold medal match against Brazil on Saturday.

Updated: 2008-08-22 15:30:54

Lloy Ball (No. 1) and Richard Lambourne (No. 5) of the United States (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The United States beat Russia 3-2 on Friday to reach the Men’s Volleyball final. The United States will play the winner of the Italy-Brazil semifinal in the gold medal match on Sunday, August 24.

Clayton Stanley (No. 13) of the United States goes up for a spike. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Maxim Mikhaylov (No. 17) of Russia goes up for a spike. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Alexey Verbov (No. 16) of Russia reacts with teammates. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Alexander Volkov (No. 15) of Russia reacts after making a block. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)
The United States Men’s Volleyball team gathers. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Updated: 2008-08-22 01:28:51

(BEIJING, August 21) — History will repeat itself on Friday, August 22, when the top four teams from the Athens 2004 Olympic Games meet again in the Men’s Volleyball semifinals at the Capital Gymnasium.

The semifinals will kick off with the first match between Russia and the United States. Russia defeated the US team 3-0 in the bronze medal match in Athens. The US team has topped the blocking chart for the Games so far, with 80 kill blocks, while Russia has scored 39 service aces, the most in the tournament.

The United States is undefeated so far, finishing first in pool A and narrowly beating Serbia 3-2 in the quarterfinals. Russia has suffered only one loss, 3-2 to Poland, and was victorious against World No.1 Brazil.

Clayton Stanley of the United States is ranked No. 2 on the chart of top scorers, with 90 spikes, 11 blocks and six service aces. Stanley and outside hitter William Priddy are the cornerstones of the US team’s attack.

Libero Alexey Verbov of Russia is the driving force of Russia’s defense. His accurate reception skills and an excellent record of 81 passes make him the top digger of the competition so far.

Italy’s semifinal opponent will be Brazil, who beat Italy 3-1 in the gold medal match in Athens. The two teams last clashed in 2006 at the World Championships in Japan, where Brazil thrashed the Italians 3-0.

Brazil’s Gustavo Endres is the best blocker of the tournament. He has put away 22 killer blocks out of 74 attempts. He was named best blocker in the 2007 World League.

Italy’s Mirko Corsano is the best libero of the tournament, with a 67.44 percent accuracy rate per match, providing a reliable first pass for strong attackers Alberto Cisolla and Mauro Gavotto.

Brazil captain Gilberto Godoy Filho is the backbone of the team and a potent spiker. He was named best player in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and most valuable player in the 2007 World Cup.

Updated: 2008-08-22 00:06:28

(BEIJING, August 21) — The United States and Brazil were victorious in the semifinals of the Women’s Volleyball tournament at Capital Gymnasium on Thursday, August 21 and will play for gold on August 23.

Helped by errors on the Cuban side, the United States outmuscled their opponents 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 to reach the finals of the Women’s Volleyball tournament with their confidence sky high.

The United States controlled the match from start to finish, capitalizing on Cuba’s errors. Tayyiba Haneef-Park served particularly well for the Americans, landing three aces. The US team now has the opportunity to improve on their 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games silver-medal performance.

World No.1 Brazil stormed into the final with its seventh consecutive straight-set win of the tournament, a 27-25, 25-22, 25-14 defeat of China.

Brazil showed poise against Athens 2004 gold medalists China. Regaining their composure after a shaky start, Brazil also benefited from China’s errors on serve and attack. Marianne Steinbrecher and Sheilla Castro were in fine forming the victory and will be key to Brazil grabbing its first Olympic Women’s Volleyball gold.