Brazil retains World Grand Prix title, Russia takes bronze

Tokyo, Japan, August 24, 2014.  Defending champions Brazil retained their FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix title by shutting out Final Six host Japan in what was the de facto gold medal match putting an end to the 2014 season of the competition.  Russia ended up as the top-placed European team after a spectacular U-turn against China in a race for the bronze medals.

The last competition day in Tokyo started off with a thrilling five-setter between the Russians and the Chinese.  Despite trailing two sets behind, the squad of coach Yury Marichev fought back to emerge victorious with a 3:2 (21-25, 14-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-13) hammered out in 2 hours and 8 minutes of play time.  Tatiana Kosheleva contributed 28 points to the victory and became the top scorer of the match.  “In the first and the second sets, China exploited our weak point, which was reception, and without reception, we cannot play,” Marichev commented.  “But in the third, the fourth and the fifth sets we improved our reception which allowed our tall and strong spikers to hit successfully.”  This way Russia secured the podium spot, garnishing its third place with 7 points out of three wins and two losses.

In the second match Turkey made sure it ends up in the fourth position, also with 7 points, but from two victories and three defeats, beating Belgium by 3:1 (24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20) and leaving its fellow European opponent winless in the bottom sixth place with 0 points.  Neriman Ozsoy was once again incredibly prolific, banging out 32 points for the victory.  “The Belgians are a good team and they showed their quality in the last European Championship when they took the bronze medal.  They fought hard through the end.  In this World Grand Prix we have a younger team and we are training hard and doing our best to improve ourselves,” she stated.  “I think we played better in recent days,” Belgium’s coach Gert Vande Broek pointed out.  “Now we must start making our analysis after playing against five world-class teams.  It is a historic moment for Belgian volleyball but it is a starting point for the future.  It has been a long time since we lost five games in a row, so mentally we must become fit again and physically, too, because the World Championship starts in three weeks.”

Then it was down to Japan and Brazil to determine who claims the gold and who settles for silver. All the home heroines needed was win two sets, but it the strong South American opponent did not allow them any, shutting them out by 3:0 (25-15, 25-18, 27-25).  This way Brazil topped the final standings with 13 points, leaving Japan in second place with 12, each with a record of four wins and one loss.

Most Valuable Player: Yuko Sano (Japan)

2014 World Grand Prix Dream Team:

Best Setter: Danielle Lins (Brazil)

Best Opposite: Sheilla Castro (Brazil)

1st Best Outside Spiker: Liu Xiaotong (China)

2nd Best Outside Spiker: Miyu Nagaoka (Japan)

1st Best Midder Blocker: Irina Fetisova (Russia)

2nd Best Midder Blocker: Fabiana Claudino (Brazil)

Best Libero: Yuko Sano (Japan)

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