Press release
Host Turkey and China book semifinal tickets
China celebrate their fifth consecutive win here in Ankara, Turkey
Ankara, Turkey, August 17, 2011 – Host Turkey and China remained unbeaten after the second day of the second round of the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship Turkey 2011 to book themselves a positions 1-4 semifinal spot on Wednesday in Baskent Sports Hall. Host Turkey collected their fifth win of the tournament from as many matches after beating Argentina in straight sets while China beat Germany by similar score lines. In Pool F, defending champions Brazil kept their semifinal hopes alive by beating Poland in extremis.
FIVB Volleyball Girls' Youth World Championship
FIVB Volleyball Girls' Youth World Championship
World No. 5 Turkey and world No. 13 China cannot be surpassed in Pool E while the chase for the semifinal tickets in Pool F is still hard fought as Serbia (5 points), Poland (4) and Brazil (3) still have their chances to finish amongst the two best teams of their second round group.
The top two teams from first round Pools A to D joined together in Pool E and F to fight for the medals, while the third and fourth ranked teams are grouped in Pool G and H to play for places 9 to 16. The 1st and 2nd ranked team of Pool E and F will play the Semi Finals. The 3rd and 4th ranked team of Pool E and F will qualify for the play off 5-8. The 1st and 2nd ranked team of Pool G and H will fight for places 9-12. The third and fourth ranked team of Pool G and H will battle for ranks 13-16.
Second Round Pool Standings
Places 1-8
Pool E: Turkey 6, China 6, Germany 0, Argentina 0
Pool F: Serbia 5, Poland 4, Brazil 3, Japan 0
Places 9-16
Pool G: USA 6, Thailand 3, Slovakia 3, Egypt 0
Pool H: Mexico 6, Italy 6, Puerto Rico 0, Algeria 0
Pool E
China advance after overpowering Germans
China vs. Germany 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-11)
Powerhouse China registered a straight-sets victory (25-23, 25-23, 25-11) over Germany on the second day of second-round Pool E play in the 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship at Baskent Sports Hall on Wednesday afternoon. The victory qualified China for the semifinals and kept them unbeaten in the tournament. The loss was a setback for 7th-ranked Germany's attempts to qualify for the semifinals. Peiyi Liu and Ruoya Xu were the offensive forces for the winners, finishing with ten and nine points respectively. Captain Jennifer Geerties scored twelve points for Germany including one service winner.
Germany coach Jens Tietböhl: “Congratulations to China, they deserve their spot in the semis. They play modern and fast volleyball. Even when we lost the match, I’m satisfied with today’s first two sets.â€
China coach Mang Shen: “I told my players Germany would be a strong opponent. We are very proud to go to the semifinals. Tomorrow’s match versus Turkey will be a bonus. We’ll enjoy the atmosphere.â€
Turkey book semifinal ticket with victory over Argentina
Turkey vs. Argentina 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-18)
Ankara, Turkey, August 17, 2011 - Turkey downed Argentina in straight sets (25-14, 25-18, 25-18) on the second day of second-round Pool E play in the 2011 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship on Wednesday evening. The victory clinched the lead in Pool E for the hosts. The Turks entered the match having not lost once in the entire tournament. Argentina had suffered a straight-sets defeat the day before (to China). Ceylan Arisan, Seyma Ercan and Ece Hocaoglu led the attack for Turkey. Arisan finished with nine points, while Ercan and Hocaoglu each compiled eight kills. Maria Sol Calvete and Sol Piccolo showed the way for Argentina with six points each.
Turkey coach Sahin Catma: “I’m satisfied; we made it to the semifinals. Each player contributes to the excellent team performance. That’s the key point to success.â€
Argentina coach Guillermo Caceres: “Congratulations to Turkey. They can make it to the gold medal match. We can learn a lot from them.â€
Pool F
In-form Serbia steam past Japan
Japan vs. Serbia 0-3 (17-25, 12-25, 20-25)
Ankara, Turkey, August 17, 2011 – Serbia overcame Japan in comfortable fashion with a straight-sets win (25-17, 25-12, 25-20) on the second day of second-round Pool F play at Baskent Sports Hall on Wednesday afternoon. The Serbians came into the match with momentum following their victory over world No. 1 Brazil on Tuesday and were never threatened. Although Japan finished on the top of their first round pool, they appeared sluggish from the outset and were comprehensively beaten. The result leaves Serbia in top positions in Pool F with a 2-0 record. Milan Grsic’s side outclassed their opponents in just about every department – Serbia made only 13 errors to Japan’s 21, had a 17-1 advantage in blocking and bettered them 9-5 in the aces category. Natasa Cikiriz and Nikolina Lukic were the catalysts for Serbia. Cikiriz compiled eight blocks among her 18 points and Lukic added 14 kills. Kasumi Nakaya registered nine points for the defeated side.
Serbia coach Milan Grsic: “Discipline was the key to success today. But still we have to win our last match in Pool F to qualify for the semifinals.â€
Serbia captain Bianka Busa: “Although we were tired after yesterday’s epic match versus Brazil, we managed to focus on today’s important match against Japan. We served and blocked very well today.â€
Brazil get back on track with Polish win
Brazil vs. Poland 3-2 (25-17, 24-26, 27-29, 25-22, 15-7)
Defending champions Brazil recorded a hard-fought tie-break victory (25-17, 24-26, 27-29, 25-22, 15-7) over Poland on the second day of second-round Pool F play at Baskent Sports Hall in Ankara on Wednesday night to keep their hopes alive for the semifinals. World No. 1 entered the match on the back of their first defeat of the tournament, against Serbia on Tuesday, but they came from behind to win in extremis against opponents who had won their previous clash, against Japan. Tournament’s top scorer Gabriela was prominent in attack for the South Americans, using her amazing leaping ability to repeatedly pound the opposition, and she finished the match with 28 points. Captain Raquel and Rosamaria also made a significant contribution to the win, which puts the Brazilians in a good position to qualify for the semifinals with their last duel versus Japan on Thursday night.
Brazil captain Raquel: “We played with heart and emotions. I’m satisfied that even in difficult situations we kept cool and focused on our tasks. Let’s rest and get ready for tomorrow’s match versus Japan.â€
Pool G
USA clinch victory against spirited Thailand
USA vs. Thailand 3-0 (33-31, 25-10, 25-22)
USA Captain Mallory McCage guided her team to a straight sets victory over the highly spirited Thailand (33-31, 25-10, 25-22) in the second round Pool G at Ankara Arena Hall. McCage controlled the net with her blocking ability that prevented Thailand to apply their attacking strategy and she was aided by the strong spikers Nicole Dalton who scored 13 points that put her as team scorer and Jordan Burgess who scored 12 points. Thailand’s Tanaporn Polrueng was her team scorer with 13. USA improved their win-loss record to 2-0 in the second round of the tournament where they fight for 9-16 places in Pool G, while Thailand's record suffered fall to 1-1.
“It was a competitive match," said US captain McCage after the match. “Our defense was better than the previous matches. We fought for every point in that match, so we won.â€
Slovakia rout Egypt in a close encounter
Slovakia vs. Egypt 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19)
Slovakia rebounded from a first-day loss to USA with a straight-sets (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) win over Egypt in the second round Pool G at Ankara Arena Hall and produced Egypt’s second loss of the pool. With their first victory in the second round of the tournament Slovakia improved their win-loss record to 1-1, while Egypt decreased theirs to 0-2. What made the match more interesting was the tight fight in each set but Slovakia players were more successful to gain the crucial points of each set even when Egypt was leading many times. The left handed opposite spiker Nikola Pistelakova and Karin Radova were the most successful in Slovakia team and the key factor of victory with the former coming as the match scorer with 14 points, while Laila Abdel Hamid and Mai Mostafa were Egypt’s scorers with 8.
“Egypt played a good match today and even they were better than us in many moments,'' said Slovakia coach Eva Kosekova. ''It was an important match for us.We play just as we want today.We made less mistakes then Egypt so we won.â€
Pool H
Italy hardly see off passionate Puerto Rico
Italy vs. Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-15, 16-25, 25-17, 25-14)
Suffering for 91 minutes, Italy hardly overcame the struggling Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-15, 16-25, 25-17, 25-14) in Pool H of the Girls’ Youth World Championship at Ankara Arena in Turkey on Wednesday. Searching for the best ever result after the first round disappointment, Italy now qualified to the play off of the 9-12 positions after they improved their win- loss record to 2-0 in the second round, while Puerto Rico dropped to 0-2. Now Puerto Rico will compete for the 13- 16 positions. Italy big gun Elena Perinelli played a great role in that victory with her unstoppable hits from all the net position. She finished as the match scorer with 17 points, while Marie Victoria was Puerto Rico best scorer with 10.
“Although we won this match, this tournament was a disappointment" said Italy coach Luca Pieragnoli. “We wished to be in the first 8 of the tournament but now at least we are at the 9th line.â€
Mexico overwhelm Algeria in three sets
Mexico vs. Algeria 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-15)
Mexico decisively defeated runners-up of African Championship Algeria 3-0 in their second match of Pool H at Ankara Sports Hall. Mexico won 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-15) in 67 minutes to book the second ticket of the pool to the play off 9-12 positions after Italy book the first earlier following their win against Puerto Rico. Now Puerto Rico and Algeria will play for the 13 to 16 zone.
“We want to finish the competition within the top 10,†says Mexico coach Victor Garcia. ''Algeria is a good team. I saw a lot of good points in Algeria team during this match. I want to see them in other tournaments too.â€
The FIVB Girls' Youth World Championship involves 16 teams and runs from August 12 to 21. Both Brazil and China are the record holders of the tournament with three crowns to their names. Brazil captured gold in 1997, 2005 and 2009, while China were crowned in 2001, 2003 and 2007. Japan and Russia both won the gold in two events as Japan topped the podium in 1995 and 1997 and Russia in 1989 and 1993 with the former one under the Soviet Union flag. Korea was the champions in 1991.
Match schedule for Thursday, August 18
Pool E
Argentina (19) v Germany (7) at 12.30
China (13) v Turkey (5) at 17.30
Pool F
Serbia (9) v Poland (29) at 15.00
Brazil (1) v Japan (4) at 20.00
Pool G
Slovakia (28) v Thailand (14) at 12.30
USA (2) v Egypt (10) at 15.00
Pool H
Mexico (10) v Italy (12) at 17.30
Puerto Rico (21) v Algeria (17) at 20.00
Tournament Top Scorers
1. Gabriela (Brazil) 93
2. Cikiriz Natasa (Serbia) 76
3. Busa Bianka (Serbia) 73
4. Xu Ruoya (China) 64
Perinelli Elena (Italy) 64
Highest Set Score
33-31 (USA v THA in Pool G) played on August 17
Highest Scoring Match
220 points (BRA v SRB in Pool F) played on August 16
Longest Match
141 minutes (BRA v SRB in Pool F) played on August 16
Birthdays on August 18
Katarina Canak (SRB) turns 16
Nikolina Lukic (SRB) turns 17
Natalia Cendan (ARG) turns 17
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