Brazil, Russia, USA and China top Volleyball World League groups

(BEIJING, July 1) -- Brazil, Russia, China and USA stand on top of their respective groups after the third Intercontinental Rounds of the men's Federation de International Volleyball (FIVB) World League 2008 ended on June 30.

In Group A, seven-time World League champions Brazil twice came from a set down to beat Venezuela in Caracas by three sets to one. The Brazilians have now won five of their six matches so far and top the group with 11 points, one point ahead of France, who also came from behind to beat Serbia on Saturday (June 28), but then lost the corresponding match on Sunday (June 29).

Russia lost their first Group B match of the competition to eight-time World League Champions Italy 3-1 in Florence, on Thursday (June 26), but bounced back to win the second game on Saturday (June 28) to stay on top of the group ahead of the Italians, who have four wins and two defeats from their six games.

Cuba completed a 3-1 and 3-0 double over the Republic of Korea, who have suffered six consecutive defeats and stay anchored to the bottom of the pool.

USA leads Group C after two wins over Finland in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the weekend (June 28-29). European champions Spain remain second after beating Bulgaria in their first clash, but lost a thrilling five-setter the following day to stay second. Finland is bottom of Group C, with no wins so far.

In Group D, table-toppers China completed 3-1 and 3-0 wins over Egypt to stay on course for the Finals with 10 points.

Second-placed Japan won an amazing match against 2006 World Championship runners-up Poland, 3-2, in Tokyo on Sunday (June 29), having lost the opening encounter to the Europeans the previous day.

The winners of each pool, hosts Brazil, plus one wild card country chosen by the FIVB, will contest the Final Round in Rio de Janeiro from July 23-27, 2008.