Volleyball Championship: Who Can Stop Russia?

World League Champion Russia advanced to the semifinals after defeating Greece 3-0 in the quarterfinal game played in Buenos Aires.

The nicknamed "Russian Rockets" easily swept their rivals in straight sets and will meet France on Friday in the last game before the finals.

The beginning of the match was equally matched. Russia began to dominate Greece only after the second technical time out, thanks to Roman Iakovlev's spike and Pavel Abramov's reception. The great play of Vadim Khamouttskikh, secured the first set 25-22.

The excellent performance of the Russian defensive game, together with the non-forced errors of its opponent, led the Olympic silver medal team to a certain victory in the second set. In the third set, Greece struggled hard to improve its game, but the Russian reception frustrated all their hopes for a recovery.

As a whole, Russia played an excellent collective game. The wing spiker Roman Iakovlev and Serguei Tetioukhine were the outstanding figures of the team.

During a press conference after the game, team's captain Rouslan Olikhver and coach Guenaddi Chepouline expressed their satisfaction with the squad's performance and highlighted the physical and psychological strength of its players. Chepouline also thanked the Russian community living in Argentina for its support at the stadium.

In other games, Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 in a very emotional game; Yugoslavia easily swept Portugal 3-0 and Argentina lost against France 3-1 before a crowd of 10 thousand. The semifinals will take place on Friday. There, Russia will meet France and Brazil will do battle with Yugoslavia.

Hernan Etchaleco PRAVDA.Ru Argentina