Russia sweeps Japan and USA beats Poland on day two WL final round

(BEIJING, July 25) -- Day two of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League final round concluded on Thursday, July 24, in Rio de Janeiro with the top spots in each of the two pools still undecided. There is one match left to play in each pool.

Russia helped their cause by sweeping Japan 25-14, 26-24, 25-18 and will now have to await the result of the Japan-Brazil match scheduled for Friday. The United States outlasted Poland in a five-set match but will sit out on Friday as Poland plays Serbia.

Russia won bronze at the 2004 Athens Games and silver in Sydney in 2000. In 2007, the team finished second in the FIVB World Cup, FIVB World League and the European Championship. They had an easy match against Japan on Thursday, using excellent serving and blocking to win in three straight sets.

A win by host Brazil on Friday means that Russia will finish in second and play the top team from the opposite pool in the semifinal. If Brazil is upset by Japan, the teams will be tied in the standings with three points, and the top finishers will be decided by points ratio.

"The Japanese team played really well today. I am happy for our win and now we just can wait to know our future in the World League 2008," said Russian captain Vadim Khamuttskikh.

Japanese head coach Hagiwara Hideo said that he expected his team to play better. "The Russian block worked really well, especially in the second and third sets," he said. "Our defense was not good."

The United States beat Poland 25-18, 23-25, 27-25, 18-25, 16-14 in pool F in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament so far. The US team finished fourth in Athens 2004 and third at the 2007 World League. Serbia has an opportunity to win the pool on Friday with a win over Poland. If Poland wins, the pool will be decided by points ratio.

The FIVB World League concludes on Sunday, July 27 and is the last major international volleyball competition before the Olympic Games.