TOKYO - All-conquering Brazil successfully defended their men's World Cup volleyball title on Sunday when they brushed aside Japan to win the four-yearly tournament.
Brazilian attacker Gustavo Endres (C-top) spikes the ball against Japan during their match at the FIVB Men's World Cup volleyball tournament in Tokyo. All-conquering Brazil successfully defended their men's World Cup volleyball title when they brushed aside Japan to win the four-yearly tournament. [Agencies] |
With a 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18 victory, the South American champions finished top in the 12-team round robin competition with a 10-1 win-loss record to add to their other major titles at the world championships and the Olympics.
"We have two world championships, two World Cups and our aim is to end this cycle with two Olympic gold medals," said Brazilian coach Bernardo Rezende.
"Now we are at the end of the seventh year with this team, and one more year to go. This is a great conclusion to the seventh year. We have to party for one night and from tomorrow think about Beijing and improve what we are lacking."
As for the match, Rezende said it was "like a final."
"It was a tough match after a tough match yesterday against Russia. We suffered from the beginning and lacked a bit of energy and focus. Japan played loose and calm with no responsibility, but we managed to fight to the end and win under this pressure," said Rezende.
Brazil's captain Gilberto Godoy Filho has already set his next goal as winning the Russian league, where he plays.
"Now we have three weeks off and the players will go to their championships in Russia, Italy and Brazil. Next year, Brazil will host the World League final round, so that makes our schedule easier," he said.
"As for my future, I am thinking of winning the Russian championship and then playing at the Olympics. I have not decided anything after that," he added.
Earlier in the day, bronze medallists Bulgaria outgunned Argentina 25-17, 25-22, 25-23, while Russia edged past the United States 25-23, 20-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-8.
The top three finishers at the World Cup have qualified for the Olympics.
Russia and Bulgaria ended with the same 9-2 record but the Russians took the silver medal thanks to a better points ratio of 899-742 (1.212) against Bulgaria's 988-881 (1.121), ahead of the Americans in fourth place with 8-3.
European champions Spain beat Tunisia 25-16, 25-22, 21-25, 25-18 to take fifth place, followed by Puerto Rico in sixth place after they lost to South Korea 21-25, 25-18, 26-24, 20-25, 15-8.
Argentina were seventh and Asian champions Australia eighth after a surprise defeat at the hands of African champions Egypt 25-14, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22.
