China tops group B with clean sheet at FIVB Grand Prix
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-22 20:55

NINGBO, East China - Host China compiled a 3-0 win-loss record after outlasting nemesis Brazil in a five-set thriller to top Group B at the FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round held in east China's port city of Ningbo on Sunday.

While Brazil collected two wins to take the second place of the group in the first week preliminary round of the prestigious event.

Earlier, a valiant Thai team battled hard but still slumped to their third straight loss in the group, being defeated by Germany 19-25, 25-18, 25-21 and 25-22 to finish at bottom.

Germany, having lost to China and Brazil in a row in previous matches, compiled a 1-2 record and finished third in the standings.

It was the closest and most absorbing match of the three-day stop when China took on the six-time winner Brazil in a full-packed Beilun Sports Centre.

The match was tight at the beginning of the opening set, both teams  hitting top gear early and scoring some fine winners.

The first technical timeout came with the South Americans in front 8-5 while China brought up the second ahead 16-15 on back of boosted blocking and cover defense.

The match then became even closer and spikers from both sides continued their awe-inspiring form.

Brazil converted on the first of their two set points for 25-22 as skipper Pequeno Paula popped up on the left to pound a clever winner.

China reached the first technical timeout 8-6 in the second set, but the Brazilians used a 7-2 run to overtake the lead at 13-10.

The rivalry was still intense after China squeezed through the second set at 26-24. Claudino Fabiana, Oliveira Walewska and Castro Sheilla kept Brazil on course as the South American team led the first technical timeout at 8-3 in the third set.

The Chinese spikers did not have cold feet as middle blocker Zhao Ruirui and skipper Li Juan got to work again, helping tie the match at 13-13, but it was the Brazilians that came into the second technical timeout ahead at 16-14.

The Brazilians had the initiative and after a block by Brazil captain Albuquerque Carolina on Wang Yimei, they took the set at 25-22.

The Brazilian block was quickly into gear in the fourth set, meaning China would have to use all their court craft and improvisation to break through. A superb block from middle blocker Xue Ming on Sheilla helped China reach the second technical timeout in front 16-15.

An ace from setter Wei Qiuyue and a block by Xue on Fabiana moved the Chinese team three points ahead, 19-16. To a thunderous audience, the host team had the momentum and took the hotly contested set at 25-22 after squandering two set points. They went on to take the tie-break at 15-13.