04/07/2015 11:27
World Grand Prix in full swing with start of Groups 1 and 2
News from the FIVB
Lausanne, Switzerland, July 4, 2015. The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix continues in full swing as Groups 1 and 2 opened their matches on Friday.
In Group 1, Thailand made a brilliant finish at home in the deciding set to snatch a home win against former World Grand Prix bronze medallists Serbia 3-2 (25-17, 15-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-11), while Brazil dominated their 2014 World Grand Prix Final Six rivals Japan 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-17, 27-25) in Pool A.
Russia suffered a minor setback in the second frame but regained their composure for a 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-20, 25-20) win over Germany, while Pool B hosts China crushed the Dominican Republic in straight sets (25-15, 25-12, 25-9) in Ningbo. USA thumped Italy in a four-setter (25-27, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23), while Belgium defeated Pool C hosts Turkey 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-23) in Ankara.
In Group 2, the Netherlands routed the Czech Republic 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 26-24, 25-18), while Argentina gripped a 3-1 (25-19, 26-24, 15-25, 25-16) win over Croatia in Pool J. Poland had a good blocking game that destabilised the Bulgarian attack for a 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-22) victory, while Puerto Rico needed four sets to finish their match against Canada (25-18, 25-10, 24-26, 25-14) in Pool K.
Meanwhile, in Group 3, youngster Melissa Vargas spearheaded the Cuban squad in their 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-23) win over Kazakhstan, while Colombia claimed their third victory in four matches after their 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-23) win over Peru in Pool P. Kenya swept their match against Mexico 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-22), while Algeria underwent a difficult 3-2 (25-18, 25-23, 21-25, 20-25, 15-10) match against Australia in Pool Q.
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