2010 FIVB Grand Prix: Brazil, Japan, Poland favourites as 3rd round begins
The FIVB Grand Prix 2010 is half-way complete. The first two memorable rounds represented spectacular rallies and heated competitions packed with a frenzy of emotions until the finish. The last whistle from the referee declared the successful ending of the second round-matches on Sunday, 15th August 2010.
The arrangements were admirable. The host cities facilitated the teams and fans with a great gesture of love. On top of it, the weather was nice and the necessary conditions for excellent volleyball were all there. The turn-out was high, arenas were packed with huge numbers of passionate volleyball fans from around the world.
The championship brought outstanding results in the first two rounds and now teams advance to more crucial phases of the game. The third round of the championship will kick off tomorrow on Sunday, 22th August 2010. The third round has the same set-up and fixtures for the teams as previous rounds. Teams have been split into three different Groups and new cities will host the matches.
China, United States, Germany and Thailand have been included in Group G. Similarly, Chinese Taipei, Brazil, Poland and Puerto Rico will play the third round matches under the label of Group H. While Group I consists of teams from Japan, Italy, Netherlands and Dominican Republic.
Group G teams will play their matches in Hong Kong, China. Likewise Taipei, Taiwan and Japanese city Tokyo will host Group H and Group I competitions respectively.
In the current standings, Brazil is on top of the chart on account of its match-win ratio. Brazil, Japan and Poland, all have been allotted 15 points at the end of the second week. China is following them with a total of 13 points. United States and Italy have 12 points each while the rest have single-digit points in the tournament. Chinese Taipei is the only team which hasn’t been able to score any points as they lost all their matches in the 1st and 2nd rounds.
Defending champions, Brazil, are in very good form and have taken all the necessary measures to dominate the game with their classy volleyball skills. Brazil lost just one game in the first preliminary round and it was a shocking upset by Italy. Somehow, Brazil managed to launch their authority in the second-segment of the game and won all its fights. It has bright prospects to secure the title for another year.
In the second place, Japan has the same records. Japan’s team remained un-beaten except for one match, which they lost to Brazil in the 1st round. The team is likely to rise-up in the final matches of the FIVB Grand Prix 2010.
Another action-packed team, which is likely to create some noise in the third round, is Poland. The strong Polish team clean-swept the first round of the game by claiming a 3-0 victory. In the second round, Germany proved to be too strong for Poland, as it broke their winning streak in the second match of 2nd round. Poland is placed at number 3 in the standings of FIVB Grand Prix 2010. The Polish team has the potential to go further in the game with their stylish volleyball tricks.
China is expected to make a difference at any moment. China is amongst the favourite top five teams of the Championship, being the host nation. The support of local fans and home-courts certainly provides them a competitive edge in the game.
The other teams in the championship have an average chance to progress. Thailand and Chinese Taipei will play their third round matches in their home cities, which is surely a great advantage for them.
At this point, the air is full of suspense and uncertainty, but the situation will become obvious as the game starts tomorrow.
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