Home » WGCHC M: Brazil, Russia, Italy all have a shot at Grand Champions Cup gold

WGCHC M: Brazil, Russia, Italy all have a shot at Grand Champions Cup gold

by WoV

On Saturday Brazil missed out on an opportunity to seize gold even with one round still to go before the Men’s World Grand Champions Cup comes to a close Sunday in Tokyo as the triple World champions could not capitalize on a 2-0 lead in their much anticipated game with Russia. Similarly to what they had done at London 2012, the Russian players stormed back from two sets down to sweep three in a row (20-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, and 15-9) and re-open the fate of the tournament.

Dmitriy Ilinykh

Dmitriy Ilinykh

Brazil – who are playing for their third consecutive World Grand Champions Cup title and fourth overall – still top the charts with 10 points but will have to deliver a strong performance on Sunday as they play third-placed Italy to make sure they add another honour to their resume. On the next-to-last day of the tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium Iran opened the programme by upsetting USA 3-2 (28-26, 19-25, 19-25, 27-25, and 18-16) to claim their second victory in the tournament. Italy also bounced back after yesterday’s defeat to USA to rout Team Japan in straight sets (25-16, 25-21, and 25-21) to move up to third place in the standing of the tournament and stay in contention for a medal.

As they are ranked second and third respectively with eight points apiece, Russia and Italy have both a shot at gold. Brazil and Italy will play the first match of the final day on Sunday before USA and Russia prolong their long-lasting rivalry; if Brazil beat Italy 3:0 or 3:1, they will book gold while Russia, USA and Italy would battle for silver and bronze. Hosts Japan will try to finish the tournament on a high note as they round out the programme of the competition by taking on two-time Asian champions Iran.

To read more news from this competition click on World Grand Champions Cup 2013 M 

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