Milano, Italy, October 8, 2014- The first match of the third round of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Italy 2014 at Mediolanum Forum Assago saw World No. 1 Brazil defeat China in straight sets 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-15) to make a huge step towards the semifinals.
Key Points :
• These teams have met seven times at the World Championship. China beat Brazil four times (1974, 1978 and twice in 2002) and Brazil won three times (1994, 2006 and today).
• Brazil are still unbeaten at the 2014 World Championship, winning all ten matches.
• Brazil have won 31 of their last 33 world championship matches, only losing those two finals in 2006 and 2010.
• China are looking for their first top 4 finish since 2002, which would be their sixth top 4 finish in total.
Thaisa, Jaqueline and Fe Garay led Brazil with 15 points each. Brazil had 11 blocks, China only two. The best China scorer was Ting Zhu with 10 kills.
China started the first set with a three-point lead 6-3 which took off guard Brazil. Immediate the reaction of the Brazilian team who tied on 6-6 and then over-passed China at the first TTO 8-7. Brazil and China proceeded on an even level put it was again Brazil that reached the second TTO 16-13 ahead . Brazil player Fe Garay signed an ace which pushed her team to a five-point lead 18-13 and forced Coach Lang Ping to use her second TO. With their best scoring weapons Carvalho and Fe Garay the South Americans closed the set 25-19.
In the beginning of the second set, Brazil started strong 4-0, forcing China Coach Lang Ping to immediately call her ladies off court. Thrilling defence from China offered the 5,500 fans a real show at the Mediolanum Forum. China player Xu Yuni Li smashed down point number 1 while a winning block shortened the distance to 3-6. However, it was Brazil to reach the first TTO 8-3. The series of serves from Wei Qiuyue opened the game for China leaping to 10-11. Brazil blocked and defended at their best, leaving China still behind at 16-13. China coach Lang Ping tried to change momentum with another timeout but to no use. Brazil never looked back until 25-16.
Brazil returned on the playing field determined to bring home 3 points and immediately took the lead 7-3. The magic hands of Brazil setter Dani Lins produced perfect balls for her spikers that smashed down several balls to reach the first TT0 at 8-3. China tried their best to stop the strong Brazilians spikers but could not set up an effective block-defense system. Zé Roberto's squad kept the upper hand until the end and claimed the third set 25-15 and the match 3-0.