Rome, Italy, October 5, 2010 – Germany swept the Czech Republic aside in straight sets (25-23, 25-18, 25-13) on Tuesday and will now play against Brazil for the top position in Pool R and a ticket to the semifinal phase at the FIVB 2010 Men's World Championship.

The Czechs battled during the first set but appeared to run out of gas – a probable consequence of having played five sets the previous night when losing to Brazil.

FIVB Men's World Championship 2010 official page

Robert Kromm scored 16 points for Raul Lozano's Germany, including three blocks. Gyorgy Grozer added 15 points and captain Bjorn Andrae 11, including two blocks. For the defeated Czechs, Peter Platenik compiled 11 points.

In the first set, the Czechs looked in the mood to make amends for their loss to Brazil with captain Ondrej Hudecek, Jan Stokr and Platenik attacking well to accumulate 12 points. Grozer caught the eye for Germany, as he centered four points. After the Second Technical Timeout (STT), Lozano’s men had a 16-15 lead and with their defensive game working well, wing spiker Robert Kromm concluded six attacks to ensure they finished the set 25-23 winners.

Germany held an 8-6 lead at the First Technical Timeout of the second set and they soon went further in front thanks to their excellent receiving and blocking, taking them to 20-14. Germany skipper Bjorn played exceptionally well and closed the set with six points and a 75 per cent reception rate in an eventual 25-18 win. Germany were now dominant and they closed out the match in the third set, attacking aggressively through Kromm, in particular, who totalled nine points and Grozer who added five points. For Jan Svoboda’s Czechs the game was up.