Russia achieves first victory at Tokyo finals

Tokyo, Japan, August 21, 2014.  Russia achieved its first victory at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Final Six in Tokyo.  On the second competition day, the Russians shut out fellow Europeans from Belgium, while the third team from the Old Continent, Turkey, lost to host Japan by the same result.

Head coach Yury Marichev’s squad did not allow any doubts over its superiority over the rookies from Belgium and defeated them by 3:0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-19).  Young Russian hopeful Natalia Malykh (pictured) became the top scorer of the match with 18 points.

“It was important for us not to make so many mistakes and I think our players did that,” Marichev commented after the game.  “If you look at the stats, in attack we made 15 mistakes against Japan and only 4 today.  In reception it was the same: 15 against Japan and only 6 today.”

“They Russians were the better team.  They are the better team,” Belgium’s coach Gert Vande Broek said.  “I was more satisfied today than yesterday.  I think we played better, but it is difficult in terms of individual quality, especially in attacking and most of all in blocking.  My players did what I asked of them.  I think we could do more with our serving than we did today.  I cannot blame the players, but I think if we had done this, we could have come closer.  We played well in the first set, but we did not defend well at the beginning of the second set and Russia was able to get into the rhythm.”

Following Brazil’s 3:0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) victory over China in Thursday’s second match, the home heroines from Japan beat the Turks by 3:0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-17) and brought them back to the ground after their sensational success against Brazil yesterday.  “Japan absolutely deserved to win this match.  We had too many problems in all aspects, but I think it came down to what Japan did,” Turkey’s coach Massimo Barbolini pointed out.  “In this Grand Prix, in one night everything can change.  We have been playing very good matches, unbelievable matches, but matches like today’s can happen, especially against a team like Japan.  I was hoping for a better performance, but this is sport.”

Upon completion of the second competition day, Japan takes the lead with full 6 points, followed by Brazil with 4, Russia and China with 3 each, Turkey with 2 and Belgium with 0.  Friday’s program in Tokyo features the matches Turkey vs. Russia, Belgium vs. Brazil and China vs. Japan.

Click here for more info on the 2014 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.