Men's Preliminaries/Pool A
USA vs. BUL
Bulgaria Rallies Past United States
Bulgaria overcame a two sets to one deficit on its way to a 15-11, 13-15, 11-15, 15-5, 15-12 victory over the United States on Monday at the Omni Coliseum.
The win guarantees Bulgaria a spot in the quarterfinals, while the United States fell to fifth place in the standings after Brazil upset Cuba. Bulgaria finished pool A play with a 3-2 record and the United States dropped its third straight match in falling to 2-3.
Bulgaria turned to reserve setter Nikolay IVANOV in the fourth set, and he rallied the team to an easy 15-5 win. The fifth set remained close until Bulgaria overcame a 7-6 deficit with a 7-2 run and won the match on a kill by Martin STOEV.
Lubomir GANEV led Bulgaria with 35 kills and Martin TONEV added 7 blocks and 3 service aces. Tom SORENSEN led the United States with 27 kills off the bench.
Final Score: BUL def. USA 15-11, 13-15, 11-15, 15-5, 15-12.
"I am extremely satisfied," said Bulgarian head coach Bogdan KJUTCHOUKOV. "This was a very important victory for us. Both teams knew the price of the victory."
CUB vs. BRA
Brazil Upsets Cuba to Capture Final Berth
Brazil upset top-seeded Cuba 15-11, 15-10, 15-11 and earned a quarterfinal berth in pool A action on Monday at the Omni Coliseum.
Brazil, which dropped its first two matches of the tournament, posted its third-straight victory and finished 3-2. Cuba still maintained its number one seed in pool A and finished with a 4-1 record. The victory by Brazil eliminated the United States from quarterfinal competition.
With the victory, Brazil moved into second place in the final pool A standings. Bulgaria finished third and Argentina placed fourth.
RUS vs. TUN
Russia Secures Final Quarterfinal Berth
The Russian Federation wrapped up the final quarterfinal berth from pool B with a 15-9, 15-10, 15-11 victory over Tunisia at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Russia improved its record to 2-3 with the win and clinched the fourth, and final, spot in the quarterfinals. Tunisia dropped to 0-5 with the loss.
Russia used its superior height and blocking ability to post the 3-0 sweep. Stanislav DINEIKIN paced the Russian attack with 23 kills and 1 service ace, while Igor SHULEPOV had 20 kills and 7 blocks.
Final Score: RUS def. TUN 15-9, 15-10, 15-11.
"Nothing unexpected happened during this Olympic Games," said Russian head coach Viatcheslav PLATONOV. "We had to play teams of the same level and every match could have been won or lost."
NED vs. KOR
The Netherlands Routs Korea
The Netherlands used a strong performance from Mike VAN DE GOOR to defeat Korea and clinch second place in pool B on Monday at the University of Georgia in Athens.
VAN DE GOOR had 29 kills and 5 blocks, while Olof VAN DER MEULEN added 4 blocks and 2 service aces.
The victory improved the Netherlands record to 4-1 trailing only Italy, while the loss dropped Korea to 1-4 and eliminated them from quarterfinal consideration.
Korea was led by KIM Sang-Woo who had 17 kills, 3 blocks and 1 service ace.
Final Score: NED def. KOR 15-4, 15-11, 15-12.
"We are ready for the next rounds," said Guido GORTEN of the Netherlands. "We did not play well against Korea tonight, but we will be ready the next time. If all goes according to the seedings, I anticipate us playing Italy for the gold medal."
POL vs. ARG
Argentina Secures Quarterfinal Berth
Argentina advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 7-15, 17-15, 15-10, 15-9 victory over Poland on Monday in the Omni Coliseum.
The win raises Argentina's record to 3-2 in pool A play, while Poland finished the competition with an 0-5 record.
Fighting self-described nerves, Argentina came out tentative against Poland. After dropping the first set and falling behind in the second, Argentina turned to Marco MILINKOVIC to turn the tables. MILINKOVIC finished with 31 kills to lead the comeback.
Poland was led by Piotr GRUSZKA who had 29 kills and 1 service ace.
Final Score: ARG def. POL 7-15, 17-15, 15-10, 15-9.
"This was a very special match for us," said Argentina head coach Daniel CASTELLANI. "It enabled us to reach our committment to qualify as one of the top eight teams in the world. There was a lot of pressure and stress on us."
ITA vs. YUG
Italy Clinches Top Spot in Pool B
Italy completed pool play undefeaed with a 15-12, 15-8, 15-12 victory over Yugoslovia on Monday in the Omni Coliseum.
Italy, one of the pre-tournament favorites to capture a medal, rolled to a 5-0 record and did not drop a set during the preliminary competition. Yugoslovia finished with a 3-2 record during pool play and will also advance to the quarterfinals.
Italy, despite liberal substitutions throughout the course of the match, controlled the action. The Italians used both setters Marco MEONI and Paolo TOFOLI with equally productive results. TOFOLI started the contest and led Italy to the 15-12 first set win and also played in much of the Italians 15-12 third set victory. MEONI, who has started all four other preliminary matches, directed Italy to a 15-8 win in set two.
Andrea GIANI led Italy with 20 kills, while Samuele PAPI added 18 kills. Dorde DURIC paced Yugoslovia with 19 kills and Vladimir GRBIC had 17 kills, 1 block and 1 service ace.
Final Score: ITA def. YUG 15-12, 15-8, 15-12.
"I am very satisfied having completed this round without a defeat," said Italy head coach Julio VELASCO. "We have proven ourselves to be one of the strongest teams in the Olympic Games. We wanted to establish good rhythm for the matches ahead."
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