WorldCup: Brazil and Poland confident ahead of title decider, Jansen Vandoorn’s 9 winning blocks in vain for Canada in a battle won at tie break by USA.

Brazil and Poland played in a good way against their rivals on Day 8 of the 2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup in Japan ahead of a title decider in two days.
Led by the middle blocker Isaac Santos, who was the top scorer with 13 points through 100% attack (10/10!) in the straight-set victory against Tunisia in Hiroshima, Brazil kept their unbeaten run of eight games (zero defeat!). Brazil’s head coach Renan rested to Bruninho, Leal, Lucarelli, Lucão and Mauricio Souza but the play of the Olympic champions did not suffer: 3-0 (25:17, 25:14, 25:13).

Brazil’s nearest followers in standings (7-1) were even more brutal against much stronger rivals than Tunisia: the team coached by Vital Heynen recorded a clear victory against Australia, leaving rivals in single digits in the third set: 3-0 (25:18, 25:20, 25:9). Heynen gave a day off to León but sent Kubiak and Kurek on the court from the start of the match. Kurek was Poland’s top scorer with 13 points.

The USA fought off a scare from their NORCECA rivals Canada: 3-2 (21:25, 25:11, 20:25, 25:19, 15:13) to stay in third place in the standings with a 6-2 record. John Speraw’s team emerged victorious also thanks to Matthew Anderson’s 20 points and Mitchell Stahl’s 6 winning blocks. On the other side, Nicholas Hoag scored 18 points but the one who impressed was Daniel Jansen Vandoorn, who set up as much as 9 winning blocks!

Japan prevailed over Egypt in a thrilling battle (3-2: 25:14, 18:25, 25:23, 28:30, 15:13) to keep the position No.4 wit a 6-2 score on the standings and medal chances alive. Yuki Ishikawa shined for the winning side with 24 points. Yuji Nishida served 5 aces. Iran defeated Argentina in five sets, while Russia needed four sets to win over Italy.

2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup – Day 8:
Argentina-Iran 2-3 (25:27, 25:23, 25:19, 17:25, 10:25)
Poland-Australia 3-0 (25:18, 25:20, 25:9)
Tunisia-Brazil 0-3 (17:25, 14:25, 13:25)
Italy-Russia 1-3 (25:13, 25:27, 26:28, 12:25)
USA-Canada 3-2 (21:25, 25:11, 20:25, 25:19, 15:13)
Japan-Egypt 3-2 (25:14, 18:25, 25:23, 28:30, 15:13)

•2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup – Day 7
•2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup – Day 6
•2019 FIVB World Volleyball Cup – Day 5
•2019 FIVB World Volleyball Cup – Day 4
•2019 FIVB World Volleyball Cup – Day 3
•2019 FIVB World Volleyball Cup – Day 2
•2019 FIVB World Volleyball Cup – Day 1

Source and photos: worldcup.2019.fivb.com