| Russia regain crown, Japan take bronze | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In a repeat of the 2006 final won by Russia also in five sets, the most successful team in the history of the FIVB Women's World Championship won their seventh crown overall, and sixth medal in the past six editions. For world No.1 Brazil, this latest final defeat brings their third World Championship silver medal. Russia boast an amazing record of medalling in every edition apart from 1967 (when they did not compete) and 1982 and 1986 (when they finished sixth on both occasions). Their overall record is now seven gold, two silver and four bronze medals. The game matched the atmosphere as every point and move was cheered, every block and every serve applauded as the contest went down to the wire. Gamova was the star of the show with 35 points that equalled the tournament's best scoring feat in a single match. "It wasn't just about Volleyball today," Russia coach Vladimir Kuzyutkin said. "Brazil played very well, and both of us together could demonstrate a great quality of Volleyball. I'm very thrilled that we could win, and I'm very happy for my team. This wasn't only about sport today, it was about character. "Gamova isn't just one leader on the team, she was able to grab the chances she had throughout the match. We had three or four young players who didn't have a lot of experience, more than just being about sport, today it was about our will to win." Earlier, Japan upset second-ranked USA in a thrilling five-set match 3-2 (18-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 15-8) to win the bronze. The hosts, ranked fifth in the world, played extraordinary Volleyball to win their first FIVB Women's World Championship medal since claiming silver at the 1978 edition in Russia, and impressed many considering they were coming off a 3-2 semifinal defeat at the hands of Brazil on Saturday. It was Japan's first World Championship bronze medal to add to three golds and three silvers already to their name. For world No.2 USA it was the first time they had finished fourth at the FIVB World Championship and the 2010 World Grand Prix champions will no doubt be disappointed they could not add to their two silver and bronze medals. The other results on the final day were: Playoff for 5th - Italy beat Turkey 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) Playoff for 7th - Germany beat Serbia 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23) Playoff for 9th - Poland beat China 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-23) Playoff for 11th - Netherlands beat Cuba 3-0 (32-30, 25-23, 25-17).
Individual Best Player Awards Most Valuable Player: Ekaterina Gamova (RUS) Top Scorer: Neslihan Darnel (TUR) Best Server: Maret Grothues (NED) Best Spiker: Tatiana Kosheleva (RUS) Best Blocker: Christiane Fürst (GER) Best Setter: Wei Qiuyue (CHN) Best Libero: Stacy Sykora (USA) Best Receiver: Logan Tom (USA) Highest Scorer By Day Day 1 (1st Rd): 28 points by Destinee Hooker (USA) in USA’s 3-1 win over Thailand in Matsumoto Day 2 (1st Rd): 35 points by Manon Flier (NED) in Italy’s 3-2 win over the Netherlands in Hamamatsu Day 3 (1st Rd): 27 points by Neslihan Darnel (TUR) in Turkey’s 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic in Osaka Day 4 (1st Rd): 34 points by Aneta Havlickova (CZE) in Czech Republic’s 3-2 win over Italy in Hamamatsu Day 5 (1st Rd): 29 points by Neslihan Darnel (TUR) in Korea’s 3-2 win over Turkey in Osaka Day 6 (2nd Rd): 28 points by Malgorzata Glinka-Mogentale (POL) in Poland’s 3-2 win over Korea in Tokyo Day 7 (2nd Rd): 24 points by Destinee Hooker (USA) in Italy’s 3-1 win over USA in Nagoya and by Yukiko Ebata (JPN) in Japan’s 3-1 win over Turkey in Tokyo Day 8 (2nd Rd): 22 points by Kenia Carcaces (CUB) in Cuba’s 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Nagoya Day 9 (2nd Rd): 34 points by Kenia Carcaces (CUB) in Cuba’s 3-2 win over Italy in Nagoya Day 10 (Semifinals): 29 points by Yukiko Ebata (JPN) in Brazil’s 3-2 win over Japan in Tokyo Day 11 (Finals): 35 points by Ekaterina Gamova (RUS) in Russia’s 3-2 win over Brazil in the final in Tokyo Highest Set Score 35-33 (BRA v JPN in 1-4 semifinals) played on November 13 in Tokyo. * Women’s World Championship record Highest Scoring Matches 235 (BRA v JPN in 1-4 semifinals) 3-2 (22-25, 33-35, 25-22, 25-22, 15-11) played on November 13 in Tokyo 235 (CZE v ITA in 1st Round) 3-2 (25-27, 27-29, 25-23, 25-22, 17-15) played on November 2 in Hamamatsu 231 (ITA v CUB in 2nd Round) 2-3 (25-16, 24-26, 25-21, 23-25, 22-24) played on November 10 in Nagoya 220 (POL v JPN in 1st Round) 2-3 (28-26, 25-21, 20-25, 23-25, 12-15) played on October 29 in Tokyo 218 (NED v ITA in 1st Round) 2-3 (25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 28-26, 12-15) played on October 30 in Hamamatsu Tournament Top Scorers 251 Neslihan Darnel (TUR) 240 Saori Kimura (JPN) 223 Ekaterina Gamova (RUS) 222 Kenia Carcaces (CUB) 219 Destinee Hooker (USA) FIVB Tournaments Coming Soon FIVB Club World Championships (December 14-21, 2010) in Doha, Qatar FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships (June 17-26, 2011) Rome, Italy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
