United States end China's
hopes of 'three-peat'
 Macau,
China, July 29, 2005 - China's four-year reign as the FIVB
world champions in the girls' under-18 category is over. The
2001 and 2003 champions were beaten 3-2 in a quarter-final
epic by a sparkling young American team at the Tap Seac
Multisport Pavilion on Friday.
The United States won 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-9 in a
gripping contest that would have graced the final. China's
head coach, Lin Nan, said the main problem was losing the
fourth set. "We really need to win that," she said.
The Americans' team spirit was highlighted by Ashley Engle.
She fell awkwardly on her left ankle early in the fifth set,
but after receiving treatment she did not miss a point and
played a crucial role in the famous victory. "She is an
incredibly tough kid," said a proud head coach, Erikka
Gulbranson. "The only way she would have stayed out was if
it had been snapped. Now we will see if the trainer can work
some magic."
In Saturday's semi-finals, the United States will play
Russia, while Brazil will meet Italy.
The United States and Italy have never won this championship,
whereas Brazil won in 1997 and Russia in 1993, and in 1989
as part of the Soviet Union.
In the first quarter-final, Brazil thundered past South
American rivals Argentina 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-17) in a
one-sided contest. Brazil's head coach, Luizomar de Moura,
said his players were able to control the match from the
start because of their high level of concentration.
"The World Championship has this magic, and we are preparing
very hard for each game," he said. "When we win like this we
feel our hard work has paid off, but we must keep going, one
day at a time."
His Argentine counterpart, Guillermo Orduna, said his team's
aim now was to finish higher than their 1991 effort of
seventh in Lisbon. "This will be very important for
Argentina," he said.
In the second quarter-final, Italy saved two set points in
the first set and went on to beat Croatia 3-0 (27-25, 25-17,
25-23). Italy's head coach, Giuseppe Galli, said the first
set had virtually settled the whole match. "We played very
well and used our brains, especially in the first set, and I
think that was decisive for us. It was so important to win
that first set, and it more or less decided the match," he
said.
Looking ahead to their semi-final against 1997 champions
Brazil on Saturday, Galli added: "Brazil is a very strong
team, like any team that goes into the semi-finals. We do
not know them very well, but we know they are very organised.
We are not afraid of Brazil; we are not afraid of any team."
In the fourth and last quarter-final of the day, Russia
romped to a surprisingly straightforward 3-0 victory over
Korea, 25-18, 25-19, 25-17. The defeat ended Asian interest
in the championship, with China and Korea now scrapping for
the minor placings. |
Competition Formula
