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Dalian, Northeast China, June 2, 2005 – The hosts China met their strongest challenge of the Shenzhou Cup China International Tournament on Thursday, when they were forced to come from behind to beat the Netherlands in a enthralling five-set semifinal match 3-2 (21-25, 25-11, 25-19, 22-25, 15-5) on Thursday, setting up a showdown with Cuba, who beat Japan 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22) in their semi, to vie for tournament honours on Friday.

Less than a week after China beat Cuba in the final of the Shenzhou Cup China International Women's Volleyball Tournament in Ningbo, the two Olympic medallists will meet again in what is expected to be another riveting finale.
Pic: Riette Fledderus of the Netherlands tries to beat the Chinese defence
Thursday’s opening set was hotly contested as both sides played efficient offence and tight defence, exchanging the lead several times until 16-16 when the Dutch managed to make a break to lead 18-16, at which point they never surrendered and cruised to the first set win.

China fought back strongly in the second set, racing to an 8-2 lead on the back of some high quality serves by 19-year-old Ma Yuwen, and powerful attacking from 17-year-old spiker Wang Yimei. China took the set with ease before trailing almost all the way in the third set until the scores were tied at 18-18. On a remarkable run, China then clinched four successive points to grab a 21-19 lead before sealing a 2-1 lead.

Behind by a set, the Netherlands showed extraordinary character in the fourth set to fight back and take an early 12-7 lead, helped by China’s many unforced errors. But the home side steadily climbed their way back to within a point at 12-13 which was, fortunately for the Netherlands, the closest they could get. Taking advantage of effective blocking and strong attacking, the Netherlands took the set by three points to level things up.

However, in the tiebreaker, the Olympic champions improved their overall performance to clinch a convincing victory by 10 points and seal their finals spot.

“China is a very strong team, but in meeting such a good team, we played very well and it was a tough game,” Dutch head coach Avital Selinger said. “Both sides played to a high standard. I am very sorry to say we lost the fifth set because of our bad serves.”

“The Dutch team is a good one and has great potential,” China’s head coach Chen Zhonghe said. “Their effective blocking caused us many troubles,” adding the Netherlands will be one of our main rivals in the coming year.

In the other semifinal, Cuba had no difficulties in beating the shorter Japanese. Cuba’s head coach Luis Calderon is hoping for revenge in the title clash, after Cuba lost to China in the finals of the first leg of China’s international Women’s Volleyball Tournament, indicating his side could improve their performance in the finals.