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Olympic Volleyball Recaps: 25 July (Day 6)

Men's Preliminaries/Pool A

CUB vs. USA

Cuba Dumps USA in Thriller: In the most exciting match of the competition, Cuba held off a United States match point and rallied to post a 4-15, 15-9, 14-16, 15-8, 18-16 victory in pool A action at the Omni Coliseum on Thursday. The victory gives Cuba sole possession of first place in pool A with a record of 3-0, while the United States slips to 2-1 and is tied with Argentina for second place. Using the rally score system in the fifth set, which means a team doesn't have to be serving to score a point, Cuba trailed 16-15 with the United States serving but Ihosvany HERNANDEZ tied the set with a blistering shot across court. Joel DESPAIGNE gave Cuba a 17-16 lead with a kill and Bryan IVIE hit the antenna with his attempt down the line clinching the match for the Cubans. DESPAIGNE led Cuba with 27 kills and 1 service ace, while Osvaldo HERNANDEZ added 19 kills and 5 blocks. IVIE led the United States with 24 kills, 5 blocks and 2 service aces. Final Score: CUB def. USA 4-15, 15-9, 14-16, 15-8, 18-16.

"This match this evening was very important because both teams went in having two victories," said Cuban head coach Juan DIAZ. "It is very difficult to play against the USA in the United States. We were prepared for this match. The players played with confidence and determination."


Men's Preliminaries/Pool B

KOR vs. RUS

Russia Records First Victory: The Russian Federation remained alive in the hunt for the medal round with a 15-8, 15-4, 16-14 victory over Korea in pool B action in the Omni Coliseum on Thursday. Russia, which dropped its first two matches of the competition to the Netherlands and Yugoslovia, improved to 1-2. Korea lost for the third straight time, but still remains mathematically alive for the fourth berth in the quarterfinals. Final Score: RUS def. KOR 15-8, 15-4, 16-14.


Men's Preliminaries/Pool A

BRA vs. POL

Brazil Finally Notches First Win It took three matches, but Brazil finally notched its first victory of the competition with a 3-0 decision over Poland in pool A play at the University of Georgia in Athens on Thursday. Brazil, which entered the competition as one of the leading medal contenders in the tournament, has been slowed by injuries to Max PEREIRA and Antonio GOUVEIA. The Brazilians finally unleashed their potent offensive attack in disposing of Poland 15-7, 15-11, 15-8. Giovane GAVIO paced Brazil with 24 kills, 4 blocks and 3 service aces. Marcelo NEGRAO added 13 kills and 5 blocks. Poland, which dropped to 0-3 in the pool play, was led by Piotr GRUSZKA with 18 kills. Final Score: BRA def. POL 15-7, 15-11, 15-8. "I think the dynamics of the match were better today than in our other matches," said Brazilian head coach Jose GUIMARAES. "Max PEREIRA's re-entry into competition allowed us to play better offensively. We have improved our play and we will need to keep it up since we'll be facing the United States next. They are a strong team."


Men's Preliminaries/Pool B

YUG vs. TUN Yugoslovia Turns Away Tunisia:

Yugoslovia remained undefeated in pool B play with a 15-4, 15-17, 15-3, 15-3 victory over Tunisia on Thursday at the University of Georgia in Athens. Yugoslovia, now 3-0 in pool play, is tied with Italy for first place. Yugoslovia and Italy will meet in the final match in pool play on Monday (29 July). Tunisia still is searching for its first win of the competition with the loss dropping them to 0-3. After being drubbed by a 15-4 score in the first set, Tunisia regrouped and recorded a 17-15 set two win. But after that it was all Yugoslovia. Yugoslovia was led by Dejan BRDOVIC who recorded 26 kills, while Goran VUJEVIC added 20 kills and 3 service aces. Tunisia was led by Mohamed BAGHDADI who recorded 20 kills and 1 service ace. Final Score: YUG def. TUN 15-4, 15-17, 15-3, 15-3.


Men's Volleyball, Pool A

ARG vs. BUL

Argentina Impressive in Victory:

Argentina rebounded from a loss to the United States on Tuesday to record an impressive 15-10, 15-8, 11-15, 15-10 victory over Bulgaria in pool A play on Thursday in the Omni Coliseum. The victory improves Argentina's record to 2-1 in pool play and means that it will have to win only one of its two final matches against Cuba or Poland in order to advance to the medal round. The loss dropped Bulgaria's record to 1-2, but the team is still in control of its own destiny. Of the two teams that currently trail Bulgaria in the standings, Argentina has already beaten Brazil and has yet to face Poland. Jorge ELGUETA was brilliant for Argentina with 25 kills, 4 blocks and 1 service ace. Marcos MILINKOVIC added 17 kills and 2 blocks. Bulgaria was led by Ivaylo GAVRILOV who had 27 kills. Final Score: ARG def. BUL 15-10, 15-8, 11-15, 15-10.

"There was a lot of pressure on us to win this match because Bulgaria is such a rival to us," said Argentina head coach Daniel CASTELLANI. "In order to ensure our passage into the second round we will have to win one more match."


Men's Volleyball, Pool B

ITA vs. NED

Italy Makes Statement in Rout of Netherlands

Italy made a bold statement by blasting the Netherlands 15-8, 15-8, 15-13 in pool B play at the Omni Coliseum on Thursday. Italy and the Netherlands are considered the top two teams in the Olympic Games, but the Italians made quick work of this match. The victory improved Italy's record to 3-0 as they took firm control of pool B. The Netherlands remains a strong contender for the medal round as this match marked its first loss of the competition. Italy started quickly in each set, jumping out to big leads and forcing the Netherlands out of its game. Andrea GIANI led a balanced Italian attack with 30 kills and 5 service aces, while Lorenzo BERNARDI added 20 kills, 3 blocks and 2 service aces. The Netherlands was led by Olof VAN DER MEULEN, who had 28 kills and one service ace. Final Score: ITA def. NED 15-8, 15-8, 15-13.

"We are happy with this victory," said Italy head coach Julio VELASCO. "We didn't expect to win 3-0 and we know that the Netherlands can play much better. All of our efforts right now will be addressed to advancing to the quarterfinals."

Netherlands head coach Joop ALBERDA when asked if Italy and the Netherlands are the top two teams in the tournament: "I think 12 teams thought that when they arrived in Atlanta. Statistically over the last four years I think we are the best teams."


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.