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Yugoslavia - Japan 3-0
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| Vasa Mijic (left) and Bojan Janic, both from Yugoslavia's squad |
Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA, October 1 (AP) - Ivan Milijkovic led Yugoslavia with 14 points as the unbeaten Olympic champion downed Japan 3-0 Tuesday to advance to the
second round of the World Volleyball Championships.
The Yugoslavs exuded confidence and strength in winning Group D, concluding
their first-round action in the tournament that pits volleyball's best against each
other every four years.
Playing in the Atlantic resort of Mar del Plata, Milijkovic made short work of the
Japanese defense with his powerful serve. The Yugoslavs spent little more than
hour claiming a 25-21, 25-15 and 25-20 victory.
Hosokawa Nobuyoshi led Japan with 11 points, but it was nowhere near enough
to stop the momentum of the Yugoslavs, who finished second at the previous
world championships.
"This was a match that posed no major difficulties. Now we are eagerly awaiting
the next round," said the 23-year-old Milijkovic, whose team will be playing in
the northern Argentine city of Salta.
Yugoslavia coach Veselin Vukovic chalked up victory to a well-organized game
plan. "There was a lot of good teamwork by my players. Besides, everyone was
focused throughout the match," he said.
Earlier in the tournament, Yugoslavia defeated Spain 3-1 and newcomer
defeated Kazakhstan 3-0 to win their pool with six points.
The Yugoslavs awaited the outcome of other matches later Tuesday to see if
they would face an upstart United States, powerful Brazil or even Venezuela
next.
*****
Results of the third game day and final standings
Pool A:
China - Australia 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21)
Argentina - Portugal 3-1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-22)
Final standings
1. Argentina 3 3 0 9-3 6
2. Portugal 3 2 1 7-5 5
3. China 3 1 2 5-7 4
4. Australia 3 0 3 3-9 3
Pool B:
Italy - Canada 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-17)
Poland - Croatia 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-18)
Final standings
1. Poland 3 3 0 9-3 6
2. Italy 3 2 1 8-3 5
3. Canada 3 1 2 4-7 4
4. Croatia 3 0 3 1-9 3
Pool C:
France - Bulgaria 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 17-25, 17-15)
Russia - Tunisia 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-23)
Final standings
1. France 3 3 0 9-4 6
2. Bulgaria 3 2 1 8-4 5
3. Russia 3 1 2 4-6 4
4. Tunisia 3 0 3 2-9 3
Pool D:
Yugoslavia - Japan 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-20)
Spain - Kazakhstan 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21)
Final standings
1. Yugoslavia 3 3 0 9-1 6
2. Spain 3 2 1 7-6 5
3. Japan 3 1 2 5-7 4
4. Kazakhstan 3 0 3 2-9 3
Pool E:
Brazil - Egypt 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-21)
USA - Venezuela 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 33-31)
Final standings
1. USA 3 3 0 9-3 6
2. Brazil 3 2 1 8-3 5
3. Venezuela 3 1 2 3-6 4
4. Egypt 3 0 3 1-9 3
Pool F:
Netherlands - Cuba 3-1 (25-18, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21)
Chech Republic - Greece 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 15-10)
Final standings
1. Netherlands 3 3 0 9-3 6
2. Greece 3 1 2 5-6 4
3. Chech Republic 3 1 2 6-8 4
4. Cuba 3 1 2 4-7 4
SECOND ROUND
Pool G (Buenos Aires): Bulgaria, Italy, Argentina, Japan
Pool H (Cordoba): Spain, Poland, Portugal, Russia
Pool J (Santa Fee): France, Netherlands, Brazil, Chech Republic
K grupa (Salta): Yugoslavia, USA, Greece, China
Game day 1
Pool G
October 4:
Italy - Bulgaria
October 5:
Argentina - Japan
Pool H:
October 4:
Portugal - Spain
October 5:
Poland - Russia
Pool J:
October 4:
Brazil - Chech Republic
Netherlands - France
Pool K:
October 4:
Yugoslavia - Greece
October 5:
USA - China
Game day 2
Pool G:
October 6:
Japan - Italy
Argentina - Bulgaria
Pool H:
October 5:
Spain - Russia
October 6:
Poland - Portugal
Pool J:
October 5:
Brazil - France
Netherlands - Chech Republic
Pool K:
October 5:
China - Yugoslavia
October 6:
USA - Greece
Game day 3
Pool G:
October 6:
Japan - Bulgaria
October 7:
Argentina - Italy
Pool H:
October 6:
Portugal - Russia
October 7:
Spain - Poland
Pool J:
October 6:
Brazil - Netherlands
France - Chech Republic
Pool K:
October 6:
Greece - China
October 7:
USA - Yugoslavia
QUARTERFINALS
K1 - H2, J1 - G2, K2 - H1 i J2 - G1.
SEMIFINALS
winner G2-J1 vs winner H2-K1, winner G1-J2 vs winner H1-K2.
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