Press Releases Thailand scores second victory against Germany and bags a spot among the best eight at Girls' Youth World Championship Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, July 4, 2009 - With an outstanding performance, deriving especially from a classy reception, the hosts of Thailand outplayed Germany in four sets (25-23, 25-9, 20-25, 25-18) to give the local audience something to really cheer about at the Girls' Youth World Championship. The competition hall located in the Mall Convention Center was completely packed, especially with students and frenzied kids, as the Thai girls were warming up for their second match in this Championship. Germany was seeking for redemption after having been totally outclassed in yesterday’s opening with Serbia and that game was likely to play a key role in keeping alive the German hopes to make it among the top 8.  More Brazil vs. United States Women’s Finale at 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 4, 2009 - With their third-straight podium finish at the SWATCH FIVB World Championships guaranteed, Brazilians Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca will try to add a gold medal to their collection after winning an All-Brazilian women’s semi-final match here Saturday on the Vaagen Harbour centre court.  More Dominicans and Brazilians prepared for crown’s match in Pan Am Cup Miami, Florida, July 3, 2009 - The Dominican Republic made a sensational comeback to beat Puerto Rico in a five-set thriller advancing to the gold medal match of the Eighth Women’s Pan American Cup against Brazil, winners over USA on Friday night.  More LATIMER'S LOG - Feeling the Heat in Stavanger Stavanger, Norway, July 3 - Marleen Van Iersel was feeling the heat Friday morning. One moment the young Dutch player was irritated with Brazil's Maria Clara and Carolina Salgado, the next she was quibbling with teammate Sanne Keizer during a 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championship of Beach Volleyball's Round of 16 match.  More SALVINI'S SAGA - Stavanger’s memories Stavanger, Norway, July 3, 2009 - Always the best moment of the day comes in the morning, when you walk to the courts. You look around expecting another nice day of matches. You’re imagining what may happen. Every time I feel good sensations.  More Brazil & United States Women Net “Final Four” Berths at 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 3, 2009 - Teams from Beach Volleyball powers Brazil and United States will vie for the women’s medals at the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips as the Beach Volleyball tandems won a pair of matches each here Friday on the Vaagen Harbour courts.  More Brazilian, German, Spanish & U.S. Teams in Quarterfinals at 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 3, 2009 – Three men’s teams from Brazil, two each from Germany and the United States along with a team from Spain all captured second round victories here Friday to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals at the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips being held on the dockside courts on Vaagen Harbour.  More China, Thailand win opening matches in Asia Pool D Chengdu, China, July 3, 2009 - Hosts China and Thailand took a firm step torward booking tickets to the Final Round of the 2010 Women's World Championship in Japan on Friday when they scored easy victories over Fiji and Uzbekistan respectively on the first day of the Asian third-round Pool D tournament here in the Sichuan Gymnasium.  More Austrian, Brazilian, Dutch, U.S. Women to Quarters at SWATCH FIVB World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 3, 2009 - Enjoying the warmest and sunniest weather for this time of the year in nearly three decades here, three teams each from Brazil and the United States along with one each from Austria and The Netherlands, won matches today to advance to tonight’s women’s Semifinals of the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips. The US $1 Million event for men and women is being held on Vaagen Harbour dockside courts.  More Peru upsets defending champion China in straight sets, impressive show of strength for Serbia Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, July 3, 2009 - The 2009 Girls' Youth World Championships started in the main competition hall with defending champion China testing out the likes and ambitions of Peru.   More JOHN'S JOURNAL - Joyful Stavanger, joyful World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 2- 2009 - Stavanger is the fourth largest city of Norway.  It's also a city with a long history.  But before I was assigned the task in early June to cover the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships, I did not know about it.  More Brazil, Puerto Rico advance to semifinals of Pan Am Cup Miami, Florida, July 2, 2009 - Reigning Olympic champions Brazil swept Peru 25-11, 25-19, 25-14 in a battle of South American teams and Puerto Rico defeated Argentina 25-18, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19 with both winners advancing to the semifinals in the Eighth Women’s Pan American Cup at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center.  More LATIMER'S LOG - Wired in Stavanger Stavanger, Norway, July 2, 2009 - Alexander Horst was wired. Stepping onto Court One in Stavanger, the 26-year-old Austrian knew his match against Norway would be a trial.  More Czech Republic pair post Women’s upset at 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 2, 2009 - While the top six-seeded women’s teams were all winning first round elimination matches here Thursday, a team from the Czech Republic upset a higher-seeded team from Germany as the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips continues Friday with round of 16 and quarterfinals on the Vaagen Harbour dockside courts.  More Top Men’s Teams Advance at 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships Stavanger, Norway, July 2, 2009 - The results from the opening pool rounds at the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Championships presented by ConocoPhillips presented some exciting matchups here Thursday on the dockside courts on Vaagen Harbour where former world champions from Brazil posted victories in the opening elimination round of the men’s competition.  More