Brazil favourite at Women’s World Cup
A few matches have been played and the results that are expected have occurred. Here is an article from nstonline.
Brazil’s women, the world silver medallists, are out to prove they can match their country’s men and win the volleyball World Cup, which gets under way in Japan today.
The Brazilian men are currently the holders of the three major titles - the Olympics, the World Cup and the World Championships, which they won here last year.
The Brazilian women, who finished second to Russia at the last worlds, now have a very good chance to take the top spot as Russia failed to qualify for the World Cup after finishing third in the European championships.
Fresh from winning the South American championships for a record 15th time, Brazil are ready to avenge their five-set loss to Cuba in the Pan-American Games and a disappointing third place finish in the World Grand Prix.
Twelve teams will compete in the round robin competition, vying for three spots at the Beijing Olympics next year.
Brazil’s strongest opponents Cuba, who have won the World Cup four times, the Olympics three times and the world championships twice, are also out to prove they are back on the top form that allowed them to dominate in the 1990s. Italy, who shocked world champions Russia on their way to winning their first European championships, and world bronze medallists Serbia, second in Europe, are expected to pose threats to Brazil and Cuba.
Asian champions Japan have set their eyes on qualifying for the Olympics, with coach Shoichi Yanagimoto saying: “Our target is to win a medal. I don’t care whether it’s the bronze, silver or gold.”
Other women’s teams include African champions Kenya, Thailand, South Korea, Peru, Poland, the Dominican Republic and the United States. - AFP
