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YOKOHAMA, Japan: World silver medalist Brazil overwhelmed Cuba in a
top-of-the-table battle to move towards victory in the World Grand
Prix women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday.
The Brazilians, also runners-up to Italy in the
World Cup here last year, coasted to a surprisingly straightforward
25-14, 25-15, 25-20 win over the former world champions.
It was Brazil’s fourth straight win against no
defeat in the six-team round robin competition, handing Cuba its
first loss in four matches.
Italy, which lost to Brazil and Japan on the
previous two days to be out of contention, returned to winning ways
by beating the US 25-17, 26-28, 25-19, 25-19.
In the last match of the day, China saved some
face by scoring its first win with a 25-17, 28-30, 25-15, 25-21
decision over Japan.
Italy has a 2-2 win-loss record ahead of Japan,
China and the US with 1-3.
Brazilian coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes, who
remained unsatisfied after beating Italy and Olympic champions
China, once again appeared modest despite an easy victory in only 62
minutes. “I have no illusions,” he said.
“Cuba missed two important players. It’s not
that we won because they are not strong. I expect it to be a very,
very tough match in the Olympics. We also have several injured
players,” said Guimaraes.
“Of course, I’m happy with the win, but
I’m not satisfied with the result at all. We played very well in
every aspect—serves, attacks and receipt of serves—that’s
all.”
But Guimaraes welcomed the return of Marianne
Steinbrecher, who missed the World Cup.
“Marianne helps our team really well. She is
now a wing attacker and she has been improving match by match. She
always scores on important points.”
Cuban coach Antonio Perdomo Estrella said the
Brazilians played well.
“Brazil played a perfect game. It was not that
we couldn’t serve very well, but that Brazil received them
extremely well today. We couldn’t play our usual game,” Estrella
said.
Meanwhile, the Italians missed key players
Antonella Del Core and Simona Gioli as Del Core left the team after
a medical check at the Hong Kong round and Gioli stayed at home with
her baby.
“She [Del Core] will not be with us in the
Olympic Games,” said Italian coach Barbolini Massimo, adding that
Gioli would be back in Beijing.
-- AFP
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