The Hindu : Sport : India finishes fifth in its group

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 12, 2005

Sport

Sport

India finishes fifth in its group

M.C. Raman

Visakhapatnam: Iran stretched Brazil to fifth set before losing in Pool `B' and Morocco ended its campaign in Pool `A' with a surprise victory over Serbia & Montenegro on the final day of phase one in the World junior men's (under-21) volleyball championship here on Thursday.

It was Iran's second successive five-setter. Both the Asian teams, Iran and Korea finished as third teams in their respective groups and India ended fifth.

By beating Serbia in a five-setter Morocco came close to pushing the home team to sixth place in Pool `A'.

However, Russia and Cuba from Pool `A' and Brazil and the Netherlands from Pool `B' moved into the semifinals and India suffered its fourth defeat losing to Russia in its last match, at the Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium here.

Russia completed its first phase with the highest points quotient of 1.251 and set quotient of 7.500

compared to Brazil's 1.170 and 3.750, giving a clear signal that the European No. 1 squad has set its eyes on the title this time. But it has to face the Netherlands, Europe's No. 2, in the semifinals on Saturday. Russia further exposed India's weaknesses with its strong serve and block. It was complete domination by the former champion. The home team was demoralised and there were too many gaps in the midcourt. And Volkov and Ostapenko exposed it with their brilliant jump serve. India cracked under pressure. Danilov and Kruglov attacked mercilessly and the Indian defence was in

poor shape.

U.S. impressive

U.S. ended the first phase on a high note with a 3-2 victory over Germany, which was in the race for the second spot in Pool `B'.

The final placings: Pool `A': 1. Russia (5(won) - 0 (lost) - 10(pts); 2. Cuba (4-1-9); 3. Korea (3-2-8); 4. Serbia (1-4-6); 5. India (1-4-6); 6. Morocco (1-4-6).

Pool `B': 1. Brazil (5-0-10); 2. Holland (4-1-9); 3. Iran (2-3-7); 4. U.S. (2-3-7); 5. Germany (2-3-7); 6. Tunisia (0-5-5).

The results: Pool `A': Morocco bt Serbia & Montenegro 25-18, 24-26, 25-18, 14-25, 15-12; Cuba bt Korea 25-13, 25-20, 25-16; Russia bt India 25-18, 25-15, 25-16.

Pool `B': Holland bt Tunisia 25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19; U.S. bt Germany 25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 25-27, 15-10; Brazil bt Iran 25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 15-11.

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