Olympic Games 2004- Press Info

Athens, Greece, August 16, 2004 – Sydney Olympic champions Cuba repeated their gold medal winning performance against Russia with a stirring 3-2 (26-24, 19-25, 25-27, 25-19, 15-13) victory on day two of the women’s Volleyball competition at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Monday.
In what was a superb encounter of exhilarating quick play matched with dynamism and athleticism Cuba eventually claimed the victory to open their account in Pool B after suffering a shock loss to Germany on the opening day.
The result was a mirror image of the Sydney Olympics where the two teams contested a 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-12, 15-12) match in the Preliminary Round in favour of Russia before Cuba claimed victory in the final with another stunning five-set (25-27, 32-34, 25-19, 25-18, 15-7) performance.
With the top four teams in each pool qualifying for the quarterfinals Italy, Brazil and China are now the only teams to maintain a perfect record following their second victories on Monday.
China sit alone at the top of Pool B after the World Cup title holders followed up Saturday’s 3-1 win over USA with a 3-0 (25-20 25-16 25-16) victory over the winless Dominican Republic. USA and Germany, along with Russia and Cuba, have one win apiece after USA beat Germany 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25) in another thrilling evening game.
Meanwhile, Italy and World Grand Prix champions Brazil lead Pool A with two wins from two matches after the world champions comfortably beat Japan in straight sets 25-16, 25-13, 25-17 while Brazil started the day’s action with a less than impressive 3-0 (25-16, 29-27, 25-12) win over Kenya.
Korea collected their first win of the tournament with a 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-22) win over hosts Greece leaving only Kenya and Japan as the only teams in Pool A to still win a match.
The second day of the men’s competition resumes on Tuesday with a Pool A match between Tunisia and Argentina starting proceedings at 09:00. The other men’s matches see France play Serbia and Montenegro, Australia take on Russia, USA play the Netherlands, Greece host Poland and in a repeat of the World League final, Brazil play Italy in the last match of the day.

Cuba beat Russia in fascinating thriller

Athens, Greece, August 16, 2004 – Two of the most successful teams in the history of women’s Volleyball completed a match reminiscent of the Sydney 2000 final with Cuba triumphing in a five-set thriller. The result was a mirror image of the Sydney Olympics where the two teams contested a 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-12, 15-12) match in the Preliminary Round in favour of Russia before Cuba claimed victory in the final with another stunning five-set (25-27, 32-34, 25-19, 25-18, 15-7) performance. More

Italy dominates Japan

ATHENS, 16 August - World champions Italy proved too strong for a gallant Japanese side claiming their Pool A match 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-17) at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. More

China too much for Dominican Republic

ATHENS, 16 August - World number three China took just one hour and eight minutes to easily sweep past the Dominican Republic in straight sets in the Pool B encounter at the Peace and Friendship Stadium here Monday. More

Brazil collects second win with straight set victory

ATHENS, 16 August - Brazil made it two wins from two in Pool A with a dominate performance over Kenya on the first match of the second day of the women's Volleyball competition at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. More

Repeat of Sydney's final feature match on Day Two

ATHENS, 15 August – Olympic title favourites Brazil takes on Kenya in the opening match on the second day of the Women’s Volleyball tournament on Monday, and anything other than a straight-sets victory for the Brazilians would be a big surprise.
The ‘Celecao’ is looking to double their victory tally in Pool A, while Kenya will be hoping to take as much as they can out of a match expected to be of most benefit to the South Americans.
Pic: Brazil beat Japan 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 on the opening day
The big winner on the opening day, China, is the heavy favourite in the Pool B match-up against Dominican Republic, at 11:00.
After their first match against Brazil, Japan will have the difficult job to face Italy at 14:00. The latter are seeking their second win that will keep them at the top of Pool A.
The well-balanced match between Greece and Korea is scheduled at 16:00. The hosts will fight for their second win in Pool A, which would be a big step toward the quarterfinals, while Korea will try the same thing to improve their own hopes for a spot in the top eight.
At 19:30 all eyes will be on the surprise team on the opening day, Germany when it goes head-to-head with the world’s number one, the United States. The latter will try to overcome Saturday’s defeat at the hands of China.
The main course of day will be served at 21:30 when defending Olympic champions Cuba, who suffered a shock-defeat by Germany in the opening match on Saturday, will come face-to-face with their Sydney final opponents Russia.
ONS sk/sad