PORTUGAL JOIN POLAND AND GREECE WITH TWO WINS

FIVB World League 2005

Luxembourg/Lausanne, May 30, 2005. The opening weekend of the 2005 World League drew to a close on Sunday with five teams - defending champions Brazil, Cuba, Portugal, Poland and Greece – all managing to collect two wins from as many matches after the first round. 

With Poland and Greece having gone top of Pool C on Saturday after collecting their second victories over Argentina and Serbia & Montenegro respectively, Sunday saw Portugal beat Japan 3:1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19) and Brazil beat Venezuela 3:2 (23-25, 25-21, 25-10, 20-25, 15-13) to send both sides to the head of Pool A. Meanwhile, Cuba went to the top of Pool B alone after beating Bulgaria 3:0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-23) and Italy taking second rank after having reversed a straight sets loss to France on Friday with a 3:0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-13) win.

The 2003 and 2004 champions Brazil beat Venezuela twice (3:1, 3:2). However, the Olympic and world champions sit in second spot in Pool A behind Portugal who conceded only one set against a youthful Japanese side.

In Pool B, a young and exciting Cuban side are on top with two victories over last year’s World League finalists Bulgaria including a 3:1 (26-24, 16-25, 25-20, 25-19) win on Friday. In a repeat of 2003, Bulgaria fell to Cuba in their opening match after committing too many unforced errors.

Last year’s silver medallists Italy are second ahead of France only on point ratio after both teams shared straight set victories in Sicily. The injury plagued Greek side leads Pool C on set ratio difference ahead of Poland after beating a young Serbia Montenegrin team 3:0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-21) on Friday and 3:1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19) on Saturday in Athens. Poland, meanwhile, overcame injury problems of their own to defeat Argentina twice at home 3:1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23) and 3:1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22).

With six rounds in total the winners of each pool qualify for the four-team final round in Belgrade. If Serbia and Montenegro, who automatic qualify for the final round as hosts, win Pool C, the next best team advances.

For further information such as match reports, statistics, pictures etc please view www.fivb.org