France and United States to Vie for Men's Volleyball Title at Universiade

Favorites United States got a severe revenge by downing Russia 3-0 Wednesday in the semi- finals of the men's volleyball at the 21st World University Games.

The United States, beaten by Russia 3-1 in the fifth place play- off at Palma de Mallorca Games two years ago, toppled Russia 25-19, 28-26, 26-24 in a 76-minute tussle.

"My players played pretty well," said American coach Ruben Nieves.

"We'll try to reach our goal, and I am honored to win the title here," captain Serffert David said of the finals against France.

The Russian coach refused to attend the post-match conference.

The Americans were on fire in the first set, racing to a 25-19 win over the Russians. It was keenly contested in the second set which saw neither team take more than a three-point lead after levelling five times from 13-all to 17-all. After saving two set points, the Russians fought back to even at 24-all and lead at 25- 24.

But the Russians could not race to end the set before their rivals save one set point. It was again that the Americans' solid defense and powerful spiking told everything when they drew at 26 and spiked two more points to end the set at 28-26.

Russia got a flying start in the third set by leading at 4-1, but they had to save two set and match points at 24-22. After levelling at 24-all, the United States scored one blocking point and one dropping point to seal the match.

United States is to meet France, who beat Denmark 3-0 in another semi, in the finals on Thursday.

France had little trouble defeating Denmark at 25-15, 25-21, 25- 20 in 71 minutes.

"I was surprised to see my team into the finals," said French coach Pierre Laborie, who coached French team two years ago.

He said he had expected his French B team, which he had coached for three years, to rank fourth or third before the games.

On looking ahead to the finals Pierre Laborie added after the match: "Both Russia and United States are very tough, I am not sure about winning the title."

"Surely we are pretty tense today, we never get into play like yesterday against China in the quarter-finals, " said Denmark coach Mikael Trolle.

With their deft skills and better team-work, the French spikers gave no chance to the Danes, leading all the way to score a 25-15 and 25-21 victory in the first two sets respectively.

The Danes, mainly composed of national team, fought back in the third set at 12-7 by their powerful jump serving and sound blocking.

But the fighting French spikers came from behind to score seven points in a row to 14-12 mainly with the help of the big serves by French captain and ace spiker Onya Opota, who got 17 points in the game. Then the French players showed no mercy on the Danes, sealing the third set and the match at 25-20.






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