Defending champions lose to leave Poland only
side unbeaten
 Lausanne,
Switzerland, June 5, 2005 – World number one and
2003-2004 World League champions Brazil lost
their first World League match in 25 games
dating back to 2003 after Portugal upset the
Olympic and world champions in an historic
straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-23) defeat in
Lisbon on Sunday to end round two of the 2005
World League Intercontinental Second Round.
Pic: Victory for Portugal
After Saturday’s 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-23) win
to Brazil, Portugal, ranked 18th in the world,
played the match of their lives, presenting
their enthusiastic fans with their first World
League win over Brazil and with numbers that
don't let any doubts about their superiority.
Brazilian coach Bernardinho introduced some new
players in Joao Paulo and Renato, but in the end
he had to call on his best players, nevertheless
that wasn't enough to win against an exceptional
home team performance.
"We played much better (than in Saturday’s
match) and took advantage of the replacement of
several players from Brazil,” Portugal coach
Orlando Samuels said. “I think this was the best
match we played and deserved this victory once
we were at our best level."
Portugal captain Joao José agreed. "We were very
nervous yesterday, but today we played much
better. We had never taken two sets from Brazil
and now we won the match. I am very proud.”
Bernardinho applauded his opponents. "Portugal
served very well and gave us many difficulties
in our attack,” he said. “Brazil deserves some
critics but Portugal deserves many complements
due to the great manner of their victory."
Brazil and Portugal are now joint leaders in
Pool A with three wins and one defeat followed
by Venezuela, who have two wins and two defeats,
and Japan, who are yet to win a match. Following
a 3-1 (22-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-21) win on
Saturday, Venezuela beat Japan 3-0 (31-29,
25-22, 25-21) in Caracas on Sunday.
 Meanwhile,
in Pool B, Cuba lost their unbeaten record in
Italy but still top the group after losing their
second match to the Azzurri 3-1 (25-18, 25-20,
19-25, 25-16). After Friday’s 3-1 (24-26, 25-18,
25-20, 25-22) victory, Cuba made too many
mistakes on Sunday and Italy’s experienced
players Alessandro Fei and Luigi Mastrangelo
made their presence felt at the most crucial
times.
Italy is second in the group with two wins from
two matches, equal with France who split their
matches with Bulgaria in Nantes (3-2 (25-20,
18-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-13) and 0-3 (24-26,
19-25, 15-25)), who are bottom of the group with
one victory.
Poland are the only unbeaten side left in the
competition after completing two efficient
victories over Greece in Lodz, 3-2 (17-25,
25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 15-13) on Friday and 3-0
(26-24, 25-17, 27-25) on Sunday. They lead Pool
C ahead of Greece with two wins and two defeats
and Serbia and Montenegro and Argentina who have
one win apiece.
Serbia & Montenegro beat Argentina 3-1 (25-23,
25-20, 19-25, 26-24) on Friday before Argentina
reversed the result on Sunday in front of their
home fans with an incredible 3-2 (20-25, 25-23,
17-25, 25-14, 15-11) victory.
The top team from each pool at the end of the
Intercontinental Round will advance to the final
round in Belgrade and will join hosts Serbia and
Montenegro. In the event Serbia and Montenegro,
who automatically qualify for the final round as
hosts, win Pool C, the second-placed team will
advance to the final round.
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Competition Formula