Makuhari, Japan, November 22, 1998 - Yugoslav volleyball players achieved their seventh victory in a row in a world championship in Japan defeating two-time Olympic and world champion U.S. team in group "H" of quarter-finals by 3:0 in sets (15:6, 15:10, 15:8).
With this victory Yugoslavia entered the circle of top teams fighting for the medal and anticipated exciting matches against strongest candidates, Netherlands and Italy.
Yugoslav volleyball players started the match as favorites, but they had to prove it in the field. Americans who lost all the matches in quarterfinals began the match aggressively with a head start of 3:0 in first set. However, Yugoslav players were not intimidated by this. With excellent team play Vladimir and Nikola Grbic, Tanaskovic, Mester, Vujevic and Batez soon reverted the result to their advantage - 10:3. In first set the opponent managed to score only three additional points.
In second set Americans gave a good fight but after the lead of 6:5 Yugoslav players couldn't be stopped. Soon they had the lead of 14:5 and although Americans managed to score additional five points that was all they could do.
In third set U.S. had the lead of 4:1. At that moment coach Gajic replaces tired Tanaskovic with Geric and Yugoslavs soon had the lead of 5:4. With the result of 7:7 Yugoslav players start furiously again and obtain considerable advantage - 12:7. By then it was obvious who was the winer. Nikola Grbic who was perhaps the most efficient player of the match together with his brother scored the final point.
Yugoslavia will play the next match in its group on November 24 against Netherlands.
