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Volleyball 19/06/2017

World League – June 18: Russia, Canada and USA advance to Final Six with crucial victories

The United States reached the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League Final Six after they made a crucial victory over Poland in Lodz

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 18, 2017 – Russia, Canada and the United States claimed crucial victories on Sunday in Group 1 that secured their spots in the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World League Final Six.

Brazil will host European squads France and Serbia, which earlier qualified in the Final Six, together with Russia, Canada and USA in Curitiba from July 4 to 8.

Belgium, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria and Canada carried identical 4-4 win-loss cards, while USA had a 3-5 win-loss record prior to their matches on Sunday. Russia, Canada and the USA had one match each to define their destiny and they productively did so as they earned victories, which gave them vital points to climb the Group1 ranking.

Russia rushed to a straight-set win over Iran in Lodz, to record a 5-4 card and earn three points to improve their points total to 14, putting them in fourth spot in Group 1. Canada also improved their win-loss record to 5-4 and earned three points in their four-set win over Italy to gain the fifth spot.

USA kept their pursuit of the title as they sneaked into Final Six after they defeated hosts Poland in four sets. After struggling start in the tournament, USA managed to earn victories that facilitated their jump from ninth to sixth place in the ranking.

Belgium lost their grip after their straight-set loss to 2015 World League winners France in Antwerp. The latter sit as the top team with eight wins and one loss in the in the preliminary round.

Argentina ended Bulgaria’s Final Six hopes when they fulfilled a 3-1 triumph on home soil. Bulgaria suffered from turnovers, which allowed Argentina to execute their plays well.

Brazil completed the list of winners in Group 1 with a four-set win over defending champions Serbia.

Meanwhile, Japan made it to the final four despite their 3-2 loss to China in Kunshan. The Japanese edged the Chinese in the tight race with a slim one-point margin, coming from their five-set encounter. Japan will join Slovenia, the Netherlands and host Australia in the Group 2 Final Four competition in Gold Coast from June 24 to 25.

In Group 3, Estonia captured the Group 3 title on their debut with victories over Spain in straight sets. Germany settled for third in the group after their straight-set win over Mexico in Leon.

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Group 1

In Antwerp, France showed fine form as they defeated Belgium in straight sets. Earvin Ngapeth came in as a substitute, but delivered quality numbers for his team. Thibault Rossard had a superb performance in the victory with 18 points. In the other match, Canada marked its first ever win in five meetings in the World League against Italy. Canada replicated their Rio 2016 Olympic Games four-set win to qualify to the Final Six in Curitiba.

Two teams in Lodz claimed spots in the Final Six. Russia secured the first available spot with a straight-set in over Iran, while USA seized the Final Six berth at the expense of hosts Poland, which conceded in the four-set match.

Brazil trounced defending champions in their last preliminary round match in the 2017 World League, with a 3-1 result. As both squads are already assured of their spots in the Final Six, it was all down to Bulgaria whether they would prevail in Cordoba and move on to the next round. However, the hosts had a different thing in mind and displayed great will that delighted their home fans. Argentina crushed Bulgaria’s final chance to make it to the finals in Curitiba with a four-set triumph.

Group 1 competition will resume with the Final Six in Curitiba, Brazil, from July 4 to 8.

Group 2

Japan earned the qualification ticket to the Final Four in Gold Coast in spite of their loss to their Asian rivals China in Kunshan. The home team posted a victory in the tie-breaker, which gave away one point to their rivals. Both teams had the same win-loss cards, but the one point from the tie-breaker set was enough to put Japan ahead of China in the ranking.

In the other match in Kunshan, Australia formalised their preliminary round campaign with a 3-1 win over Turkey and head into their home base for the Group 2 Final Four with a 6-3 win-loss card.

Slovenia likewise will move to Gold Coast after they topped the Group 2 preliminary round. Slovenia swept the matches in Cairo, following their four-set victory over Portugal; while hosts Egypt finished last with their 3-1 loss to Finland.

The Netherlands beat their European counterparts Czech Republic to improve their win-record further to seven in nine matches. The Dutch squad will also be a tough team to beat when the Final Four in Gold Coast starts on June 24. In the other match at The Hague, Korea defeated Slovakia in a thrilling five-setter. Korea has played five tie-break matches in the tournament and have been successful in four occasions. Their only tie-break loss came against Slovakia in Takasaki.

Group 2 Final Four will be held in Gold Coast, Australia from June 24 to 25.

Group 3

In Leon, Estonia made a statement as they have won the Group 3 final in their World League debut. Last year, Slovenia won over Germany 3-1 in Group 3 on their World League debut. For the second consecutive year, two European teams have contested the Group 3 final. Estonia overpowered Spain in straight sets (25-22, 25-16, 25-21) to win in Group 3.

Germany secured the third spot in Group 3, following their straight-set (25-19, 25-19, 26-24) win over hosts Mexico.

In the second semifinal match, Estonia made a historic achievement of making it to the Group 3 Finals. The Estonians denied hosts Mexico of a home win in straight sets.

Top Scorer by Day

32 - Chuan Jiang of China v Turkey on June 2

29 - Tsvetan Sokolov of Bulgaria v Argentina on June 3

28 - Metin Toy of Turkey v Netherlands on June 4

17 - Urpo Sivula of Finland v Slovakia on June 8 (only two matches)

27 - Maxim Michshenko of Kazakhstan v Tunisia on June 9

25 - Hamza Nagga of Tunisia v Chinese Taipei on June 10

31 – Giulio Sabbi of Italy v Russia on June 11

24 – Benjamin Patch of USA v Iran on June 15 (only two matches)

27 – Paul Carroll of Australia v Japan on June 16

28 – Taylor Sander of USA v Russia on June 17

26 – Yuki Ishikawa of Japan v China on June 18

Top Scoring Performances

32 - Chuan Jiang of China v Turkey on June 2

31 – Giulio Sabbi of Italy v Russia on June 11

29 - Tsvetan Sokolov of Bulgaria v Argentina on June 3

29 - Nathan Roberts of Australia v Portugal on June 2

28 – Taylor Sander of USA v Russia on June 17

28 - Metin Toy of Turkey v Netherlands on June 4

27 – Paul Carroll of Australia v Japan on June 16

27 - Maxim Michshenko of Kazakhstan v Tunisia on June 9

27 - Evandro Guerra of Brazil v Iran on June 3

Top Individual Serving Performances

7 - Ahmed Abdelhay of Egypt v Czech Republic on June 9

6 – Mauricio Souza of Brazil v Serbia on June 18

6 – Alen Sket of Slovenia v Portugal on June 18

6 – Thibault Rossard of France v Italy on June 16

6 – Valdir Sequeira of Portugal v Finland on June 16

6 - Pedro Rangel of Mexico v Greece on June 3

6 - Maxim Zhigalov of Russia v Argentina on June 2

5 – Masahiro Yanagida of Japan v Turkey on June 17

5 – Dmitriy Volkov of Russia v Poland on June 15

5 - Masahiro Yanagida of Japan v Slovenia on June 10

5 - Rafail Koumentakis of Greece v Spain on June 4

4 – Lourenco Martins of Portugal v Egypt on June 17

4 – Chuan Jiang of China v Australia on June 17

4 – Luciano De Cecco of Argentina v Serbia on June 16

4 – Iacopo Botto of Italy v France on June 16

4 – Cristian Poglajen of Argentina v Iran on June 11

4 – Wouter Ter Maat of Netherlands v Egypt on June 11

4 – Menelaos Kokkinakis of Greece v Estonia on June 11

4 – Egor Feoktistov of Russia v Italy on June 11

4 – Dmitriy Volkov of Russia v Italy on June 11

4 – Iacopo Botto of Italy v Russia on June 11

4 - Pedro Rangel of Mexico v Austria on June 10

4 - Aleksandr Minic of Montenegro v Kazakhstan on June 10

4 - Klemen Cebulj of Slovenia v Japan on June 10

4 - Sergey Antipkin of Russia v France on June 9

4 - Farhad Ghaemi of Iran v Belgium on June 9

4 - John Gordon Perrin of Canada v Brazil on June 9

4 - Lincoln Alexander Williams of Australia v Slovakia on June 9

4 - Nicolai Grabmueller of Austria v Kazakhstan on June 4

4 - John Gordon Perrin of Canada v USA on June 3

4 - Bartlomiej Lemanski of Poland v Italy on June 3

4 - Marko Ivovic of Serbia v USA on June 2

Top Team Serving Performances

14 – Portugal v Finland on June 16

12 – Portugal v Egypt on June 17

12 – Italy v Russia on June 11

12 - Egypt v Czech Republic on June 9

12 - Turkey v Netherlands on June 4

11 – Slovenia v Portugal on June 18

11 – France v Italy on June 16

11 - Serbia v USA on June 2

10 – Brazil v Serbia on June 18

10 – Canada v Belgium on June 16

10 - Venezuela v Kazakhstan on June 3

9 – France v Belgium on June 18

9 – Italy v France on June 16

9 - Canada v Serbia on June 4

9 - Serbia v Canada on June 4

9 - Belgium v USA on June 4

9 - USA v Canada on June 3

Top Individual Blocking Performances

9 - Peter Ondrovic of Slovakia v China on June 10

7 - Graham Vigrass of Canada v Bulgaria on June 10

7 - Nikolay Nikolov of Bulgaria v Canada on June 10

7- Simon Van De Voorde of Belgium v Argentina on June 10

7 - Samuel Walker of Australia v Slovakia on June 3

7 - Bozidar Cuk of Montenegro v Tunisia on June 2

6 – Mohamed Masoud of Egypt v Finland on June 18

6 – Jasper Diefenbach of Netherlands v Czech Republic on June 18

6 – Michael Parkinson of Netherlands v Czech Republic on June 18

6 – Chuan Jiang of China v Japan on June 18

6 – Nikolay Nikolov of Bulgaria v Serbia on June 17

6 – Ilyas Kurkaev of Russia v USA on June 17

6 – Matteo Piano of Italy v France on June 16

6 - Hamza Nagga of Tunisia v Montenegro on June 11

6 – Ardo Kreek of Estonia v Greece on June 11

6 - Denis Biriukov of Russia v Bulgaria on June 4

6 - Emerson Gonzalez of Venezuela v Kazakhstan on June 3

6 - Filip Cveticanin of Portugal v Japan on June 3

6 - Ales Holubec of Czech Republic v Finland on June 3

6 - Alen Pajenk of Slovenia v Korea on June 3

Top Team Blocking Performances

21 – Bulgaria v Serbia on June 17

21 – Qatar v Venezuela on June 11

21 - Slovakia v China on June 10

21 - Slovenia v Korea on June 3

21 - Montenegro v Tunisia on June 2

18 – Tunisia v Montenegro on June 11

18 - Russia v Bulgaria on June 4

18 - Australia v Slovakia on June 3

18 - Czech Republic v Finland on June 3

17 – Russia v USA on June 17

17 – Italy v France on June 16

17 - Russia v France on June 3

Highest Scoring Sets

45-43 – Qatar v Venezuela on June 11

43-41 – China v Turkey on June 16

39-37 – Slovakia v Egypt on June 16

33-31 – Italy v Russia on June 11

31-29 – Poland v USA on June 18

31-29 – Russia v USA on June 17

30-28 – Argentina v Serbia on June 16

30-28 – USA v Iran on June 15

30-28 - Kazakhstan v Tunisia on June 9

30-28 - Slovakia v Australia on June 3

30-28 - Canada v Bulgaria on June 10

29-27 – USA v Russia on June 17

29-27 – Australia v Japan on June 16

29-27 – Spain v Austria on June 11

29-27 – Iran v Argentina on June 11

29-27 – Venezuela v Qatar on June 11

29-27 - Qatar v Greece on June 10

29-27 - China v Netherlands on June 3

28-26 – Czech Republic v Netherlands on June 18

28-26 – China v Japan on June 18

28-26 – Turkey v Slovenia on June 11

28-26 - Germany v Spain on June 10

28-26 - Belgium v USA on June 4

27-25 – Korea v Czech Republic on June 17

27-25 – Italy v Belgium on June 17

27-25 – Poland v Canada on June 11

27-25 - Japan v Turkey on June 9

27-25 - Bulgaria v Russia on June 4

27-25 - Mexico v Qatar on June 4

27-25 - France v Argentina on June 4

27-25 - Netherlands v Egypt on June 2

27-25 - Tunisia v Montenegro on June 2

27-25 - Netherlands v Egypt on June 2

27-25 - Slovakia v Japan on June 2

Highest Scoring Matches

231 – Italy v Russia 2-3 (33-31, 23-25, 25-21, 23-25, 10-15) on June 11

230 – USA v Russia – 2-3 (29-31, 25-17, 19-25, 29-27, 13-15) on June 17

223 – Qatar v Venezuela 3-1 (27-29, 25-16, 45-43, 25-13) on June 11

223 – Serbia v Argentina 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 28-30, 15-12) on June 16

222 - Korea v Czech Republic 3-2 (25-17, 23-25, 24-26, 25-20, 15-12) on June 2

220 – China v Japan 3-2 (20-25, 28-26, 17-25, 25-22, 17-15) on June 18

220 – Iran v Argentina 3-2 (29-25, 25-20, 20-25, 23-25,15-11) on June 11

220 - Turkey v Netherlands 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 25-18, 24-26, 17-15) on June 4

219 – Australia v Japan 3-2 (29-27, 18-25, 24-26, 25-21, 15-9) on June 16

219 - Czech Republic v Egypt 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 16-14) on June 9

219 - Korea v Finland 3-2 (24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13) on June 4

219 - Australia v Portugal 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 20-18) on June 2

217 - Belgium v Canada 2-3 (22-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-23, 13-15) on June 2

215 - Turkey v China 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 24-26, 15-12) on June 2

214 - Bulgaria v Argentina 2-3 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 12-15) on June 3

213 – Bulgaria v Serbia 3-2 (25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 24-25, 15-12) on June 17

212 - Belgium v Argentina 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 15-6) on June 10

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