OSAKA, 15 November 2003 — South American champions Brazil clinched a ticket for the Athens Olympics when they defeated world silver medalists the United States in the World Cup women’s volleyball tournament yesterday.
Their 25-15, 25-23, 25-20 victory made it nine wins and only one defeat for Brazil to secure a top three place in the 12-team round robin and one of the three berths available here for the Olympics.
Asian champions China, who already booked a place in the Olympics by beating the United States Thursday, remained unbeaten with a 10th straight win over world champions Italy 26-24, 25-18, 25-20.
The remaining ticket for Athens is to be contested by the United States, Italy and Japan, who have identical 7-3 win-loss records.“I’m really glad that we won a place in the Olympics today. We achieved our goal and I was able to meet my responsibility,” said Brazilian coach Jose Guimaraes.
Brazil brushed aside the Americans in three sets in a playoff to win the bronze medal in the Sydney Olympics three years ago. It will be their seventh straight appearance in the Olympics since they first took part in 1980 at Moscow. US coach Toshiaki Yoshida said it is “obviously disappointing to lose,” but added, “we will try the best tomorrow” against four-time defending champions Cuba on the final day today.
China’s coach Chen Zhonghe was satisfied after avenging their 1-3 loss to Italy in the world championship semifinals last year.
“My players did exactly what they have to do on the court. Italy is an excellent team, but we were able to hit a lot of quick, powerful attacks against them,” said Chen.
Italian coach Marco Bonitta admitted his team was not on the same level as the Italy side that took part in the world championships in Germany.
In other games, European champions Poland downed South Korea 25-19, 27-25, 25-21, while Turkey outplayed Argentina 25-14, 25-18, 25-21. The Dominican Republic beat winless Egypt 25-14, 25-15, 25-19.
