U.S. and Brazil Advance to 2nd Round
The Associated Press
Friday, November 3, 2006; 9:31 AM
NAGOYA, Japan -- The United States cruised and tournament favorite Brazil rallied Friday to advance to the second round of the world volleyball championships.
The Americans stormed past tournament newcomer Cameroon 25-17, 25-18, 25-11, and Olympic champion China downed Mexico 25-10, 25-10, 25-12.
  In this official handout photo by Federation Internationale de Volleyball, Nancy Metcalf, 12, of the United States spikes the ball against Regine Ambassa of Cameroon in the first round match of the women's world volleyball championships in Nagoya, central Japan, Friday, Nov. 3, 2006. The USA defeated Cameroon 25-17, 25-18, 25-11. (AP Photo/Federation Internationale de Volleyball, HO) (AP) |
Walewska Oliveira scored 20 points for Brazil (3-0), which beat the Netherlands 25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-9.
Serbia-Montenegro, which upset defending champion Italy and Cuba in its previous matches, rallied from two sets down to beat Peru 23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23 and earn a second-round spot, along with fellow unbeaten teams Russia, Poland and Taiwan.
Brazil coach Ze Roberto said he had underestimated the Dutch heading into the game.
"It was a more difficult match than I had expected. The Netherlands were very powerful," Roberto said. "In the first set, Brazil performed as they should, but in the second and third sets we were out of sorts due to the way the Netherlands were playing."
Italy, which won its title in Germany four years ago, downed Turkey 25-23, 25-17, 25-14 to improve to 2-1 and Poland coasted to a 25-17, 20-25, 25-11, 25-14 win over Costa Rica.
Olympic and World Grand Prix silver medalist Russia handed Germany its first loss 25-22, 25-21, 17-25, 25-23.
Taiwan was pushed to five sets in an epic 26-24,16-25, 29-27, 24-26, 15-10 win over South Korea, while Cuba improved to 2-1 by beating Egypt 25-9, 25-9, 25-15. Host Japan stormed past Kenya 25-15, 25-17, 25-10.
The tournament involves 24 teams divided into four groups. The top four teams in each group advance to the second round.
