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Olympic Volleyball Recaps - 23 July (Day 4)

Men's Volleyball Preliminaries/Pool B

YUG vs. KOR

Yugslovia Improves to 2-0:

Yugoslovia continued its outstanding play in pool B with a 15-5, 15-6, 16-14 victory over Korea on Tuesday in the Omni Coliseum. The victory raised Yugoslovia's record to 2-0, while Korea was swept for the second consecutive match in falling to 0-2. Yugoslovia used a pair of big runs in sets one and two and rallied to claim the final set. In set one, Korea had cut the deficit to 6-4 when Yugoslovia reeled off an 8-0 run to take a 14-5 lead in a set they eventually won 15-5. Set two featured more of the same as Korea jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but Yugoslovia answered with an 8-0 run to take an 8-3 lead. Korea battled back to cut the margin to 9-6, but Yugoslovia scored the final 6 points of the set for a 15-6 win. Korea served for the set in game three, but could not convert and Yugoslovia overcame the 14-13 deficit on its way to a 16-14 victory. Final Score: YUG def. KOR 15-5, 15-6, 16-14.

"I think that we played the match on a very high level," said Yugoslovian head coach Zoran GAJIC. "The Korean team is very quick, but when we served well points came our way. Luckily we had more energy than Korea."


Men's Volleyball Preliminaries/Pool A

CUB vs. POL

Cuba Overcomes Stubborn Poland Team

: Powerhouse Cuba held off a stubborn Polish team to post a 15-13, 15-2, 15-13 victory in pool A action on Tuesday in the Omni Coliseum. Cuba improved to 2-0 in pool play, while the loss dropped Poland to 0-2 in competition. Joel DESPAIGNE led a balanced offensive attack with 21 kills while Freddy BROOKS added 20 kills and 2 blocks. Piotr GRUSZKA led Poland with 20 kills and Krzysztof STELMACH had 15 kills and 1 service ace. Poland had opportunities to win both the first and third sets, but Cuba used its experience and powerful offensive attack to pull away at the end of both sets. Final Score: CUB def. POL 15-13, 15-2, 15-13.

"This is the keenest competition the Olympic Games has ever seen," said Cuban head coach Juan DIAZ. "No one knows who is going to win the gold medal, nothing is set."


Men's Preliminaries/Pool A

USA vs. ARG

USA Surprises Argentina:

The United States rolled to a surprisingly easy victory over Argentina behind 22 kills from Mike LAMBERT on Tuesday at the University of Georgia in Athens. LAMBERT exceeded the 20-kill barrier for the second consecutive match in leading the USA to the 15-7, 15-8, 15-11 sweep. The United States, which improved to 2-0 in pool A play, also received 19 kills and 3 blocks from Bryan IVIE. Argentina was coming off an emotional victory over Brazil on Sunday, but didn't exhibit the same fire in today's loss. Marcos MILINKOVIC, who had 37 kills in the victory over Brazil, was held to only nine today. Alejandro ROMANO led Argentina with 10 kills and 5 blocks. Final Score: USA def. ARG 15-7, 15-8, 15-11.

"I studied the other team before the match and Argentina wasn't ready," said United State captain Bob CTVRTLIK. "They were flat. They are a young team and coming off their biggest win ever against Brazil. In a long tournament, it is important to put a team down and keep them down. I'm happy to leave here in three games."


Men's Preliminaries/Pool B

ITA vs. TUN

Italy Pounds Tunisia:

Italy set up an early first-place showdown in pool B against the Netherlands with a convincing 15-9, 15-5, 15-1 victory over Tunisia on Tuesday at the University of Georgia in Athens. The powerful Italians substituted freely throughout the course of the match, but still maintained their dominance. Italy, which improved to 2-0 in pool B, was led offensively by Andrea GIANI who had a team-high 22 kills and 3 blocks. Luca CANTAGALLI added 13 kills and 2 blocks. Tunisia, which is still seeking its first victory of the competition, was paced by Mohamed BAGHDADI who recorded 13 kills and 1 service ace. Final Score: ITA def. TUN 15-9, 15-5, 15-1.

"The match for us was important," said Italian head coach Julio VELASCO. "It was like practice and we had goal not to permit Tunisia to have 15 points. We made some mistakes that we can not do in a different match against a better team. This match today was good for Italy."


Men's Preliminaries/Group B

NED vs. RUS

The Netherlands Sets Up Showdown With Italy:

The Netherlands set up a possible showdown with Italy for the top spot in Group B with a 15-9, 15-9, 15-9 sweep of the Russian Federation in men's volleyball action in the Omni Coliseum on Tuesday. The victory improved the Netherlands record to 2-0, while Russia continued to struggle and dropped to 0-2 in the competition. The Netherlands will face Italy on Thursday (25 July), and pending the outcome of the Italy-Tunisia match today, the winner will assume the top spot in the group. The Netherlands used late runs in all three sets to pull away from the Russians. Olof VAN DER MEULEN, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the top players in the Olympic Games, led the Netherlands with 29 kills and 2 service aces. Guido GORTZEN added 26 kills and 3 blocks for the Dutch. Dmitri FOMIN led Russia with 28 kills and 3 blocks. Final Score: NED def. RUS 15-9, 15-9, 15-9.

"This was a very tough match and the level of play was high," said the Netherlands head coach Joop ALBERDA. "I'm confident about the way my team played from start to finish."


Men's Preliminaries/Group A

BUL vs. BRA

Bulgaria Stuns Brazil

: Bulgaria continued the recent rash of upsets by defeating the defending Olympic Games champion Brazil 15-11, 15-13, 15-8 in Group A play on Tuesday in the Omni Coliseum. Bulgaria rebounded from an opening round loss to Cuba to improve to 1-1 in group play, while Brazil is still seeking its first victory after falling to 0-2 in the competition. Martin STOEV paced the Bulgarian attack with 21 kills, 4 service aces and 2 blocks. Lubomir GANEV added 17 kills, three service aces and 2 blocks. Brazil was led by Alexandre SAMUEL who had 20 kills and 3 blocks. Final Score: BUL def. BRA 15-11, 15-13, 15-8.

"It was a match that I felt that we could have won," said Brazilian head coach Jose GUIMARAES. "Our defense was a problem again. But I think the team wore down and as we did Bulgaria attacked more aggressively."


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


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