Whilst Europe is shivering under a thick layer of snow and ice, the Mazda FIVB Beach Volleyball Satellite is being played under cloudless skies in Bangkok with the temperatures as high as 35 degrees in the early afternoon. Fortunately for the players and the large crowds who have turned out to see the volleyball matches, the games are being played in the late afternoon and the cool of the evening.
On day 2, the big guns turned out, with top seeds China and second seeds Italy recording victories over the Thai number 1 and number 2 teams respectively. China beat the No.1 Thai team in a tough 2-setter 21-15, 21-16, whilst Italy after a sluggish start topped the Thai No.2 team 21-18, 21-10.
Unexpectedly it is the Thai No.3 team which has kept the home crowd cheering. Yesterday the paring of Kasinee Godtaland and Orawan Tongkamkok beat Hong Kong in a nail-biting 3-setter 21-9, 17-21, 15-9 and today they followed up with a straight sets victory over Indonesia B 21-9, 21-14. The Thais will meet the Italian team in the next round. The other winners today were Indonesia No.1 team won fought off the challenge of the Englishteam 21-18, 22-20. For their endeavours, the Indonesians will play top-seeds China |
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