Japan secures quarterfinal spot in women's volleyball

Monday 18th August, 07:27 AM JST

BEIJING —

Japan fell to host China to finish fourth in the preliminary round of the Beijing Olympic women’s volleyball tournament Sunday and will face favorite Brazil in the quarterfinals. China came back from a 12-3 deficit in the first set and went on for a 26-24, 25-16, 25-14 win over Japan in Pool A, hours after both teams had secured their places in the last eight when the United States handed Poland its fourth defeat on the final day of round-robin play.

Cuba won the group with a 5-0 record after a straight-sets victory over winless Venezuela and the Americans followed in second at 4-1. China was third at 3-2 while Japan went 2-3. Poland and Venezuela have been eliminated from the tournament.

Kyodo

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Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

ExPrinceska at 10:48 AM JST - 18th August

I'm still struggling with finding out where I can get the Road to the Medals volleyball movie! I asked Tsutaya if they have "Yomigaere Majo" - they've never heard of it. Boo hoo hoo...( crying sound )

I feel for you, Sarge, so much. Why are you so interested in this movie, the Yomigaere Majo? Even if it is a Japanese co production, it had limited distribution in Japan because Japan boycotted Moscow Olympics. But I liked this movie very much.
Sarge at 03:54 PM JST - 18th August

I hear the Japanese team, in order to psyche out the superior Brazilians, is going to wear a new uniform that makes what the Brazilians are wearing look like a burka! Ha ha ha! Hey, I can dream if I want!
TheNewZen at 03:56 PM JST - 18th August

Sarge.

You lost me. What does a burka have to do with brazil?

If they outfits get any skimpier they will have to mosaic the broadcasts. Dreaming here myself.
Sarge at 04:14 PM JST - 18th August

Zen - Nonsense! There's plenty of excess material comprising those uniforms! You don't see any bare midriffs now, do you? Or bare shoulders. That's gonna change tomorrow ha ha ha! Tank tops, baby! Short tank tops!
Another benefit of the new uniforms is, being lighter, the players can jump higher! The Brazilians won't know what hit them! Ha ha ha!
TheNewZen at 04:18 PM JST - 18th August

Sarge.

Yeah, like the skating outfits who covered it all. Yet, the broadcasters were told not to focus on certain body regions to boost ratings.
Pukey2 at 09:53 PM JST - 18th August

Sarge, if you're that desperate for a volleyball movie, then I have two suggestions.

First, you could make you're own using snippets from tournaments shown on Japanese TV. In between points, they suddenly show sob stories and 'gamaru' stories, telling us how so-and-so battled against all the odds to make it to the team. You could incorporate these. However, you might be in a spot of bother when making the ending. In real life Japanese volleyball, there are never any happy endings (unless you use footage from the sixties).

Another alternative is to watch that Thai volleyball movie which did quite well in the domestic market. The players had smooth legs, long flowing black hair, tons of make-up and could beat men on the courts, to boot. (BTW they were transvestites).
Sarge at 10:02 PM JST - 18th August

Pukey - I wouldn't have to go back to the sixties to get a happy ending - just last year the Japanese women's team won the Asian Championships - played in Thailand.
Come on, don't hold back, out with the name of that Thai volleyball movie, and where I can get it!
ExPrinceska at 10:42 PM JST - 18th August

Sarge, do you watch the men's volleyball or just women's volleyball? I watch the men's volleyball because the most handsome men in the world particpate there: Brasilians, Americans, Italians, Venezuelians, I think this is the most handsome sport!
Pukey2 at 12:17 AM JST - 19th August

Oh, Sarge, right you are: 1975, 1983, 2007 were years when Japan won! (But China won it the other 11 times)
Pukey2 at 12:23 AM JST - 19th August

Volleyball movie for volleyball fans:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Ladies_(film)

I could only find the VHS version on amazon.co.jp

Enjoy.
rajakumar at 01:31 AM JST - 19th August

Way to team volleyball japan.
okapake at 07:17 AM JST - 19th August

At least the Nippon Women's Team shows up to play, not like the Men's Team, which is absolutely pitiful.
Sarge at 07:32 AM JST - 19th August

okapake - Last night the Japanese men could muster no more than 12 points in the second set enroute to a 3-0 loss to the USA.

Pukey - Thanks!

Princess - I'm still looking for Road to the Medals...
Sarge at 02:29 PM JST - 19th August

The Japanese women just lost their quarterfinals match with Brazil, losing it 25-12, 25-20, 25-16. They were actually leading the 3rd set 8-6, but that was the best they were going to do against the Brazilians, who made way fewer dumb mistakes than the Japanese. Disappointing. I guess it's up to the Russians ( or the Chinese, if they beat the Russians ) or the Italians ( or the Americans, if they beat the Italians ) or the Cubans ( they're going to whip Serbia ) to take at least one set from these smug Brazilians.
Sarge at 02:33 PM JST - 19th August

I just checked - Heck, the Cubans barely won the first and third sets 26-24. They won the second set 25-19. Serbia put up a heck of a fight! I wish I had seen that one...