Match 5: Egypt vs. Italy

Smooth Italy confirm second place

  November 5, Nagoya: Defending champions Italy consolidated their number two spot in Pool D with a crushing win over Egypt.

The Italians made sure their opening night defeat to Serbia and Montenegro would be their only loss of the first round, as they ran out 25-17, 25-7 25-10 winners over the outclassed African champions.

Italy coach Massimo Barbolini rested several of his regulars, after securing qualification for the second round with the previous night's win over Cuba.

Egypt had nothing but pride to play for, but they looked to use every point on the world stage to stand their young team in good stead for the future.

Egypt made a strong start with big hits from Sherihan Abd El Fattah, but it was Italy who moved ahead at the first TTO with an 8-4 lead.

Egypt's Ingy El Shamy powered in a big spike as Italy were moving further ahead, although Nadia Centoni struck one straight back at the Africans to maintain the advantage.

But the Egyptians were not overawed by the occasion, and moved within touching distance at 16-13 down.

Italy's Serena Ortolani then skimmed a cross-court smash off an Egyptian defender, prompting the north Africans' coach Andres Martinez to call a time-out.

A long serve from Egypt then took the champions into double figures, before Centoni emphasised what the Africans were up against with a monster spike.

Egypt captain Yosra Selim had no chance of returning another Italian smash as the Europeans reached set point, which Martina Guiggi plucked out of the air to give her side a one-set lead.

Centoni was making the most of her starting opportunity, piling up points on the right flank as Italy raced to a 5-0 second set lead.

Number 5 Sara Anzanello had been more involved in Italy's previous games, but she showed she still had a thirst for more with a powerful point at the net.

Italy were threatening to run away from the Egyptians, and Valentina Fiorin made it 11-1 with a hammer blow at the net.

Egypt pulled points back through Mona Badawy and Marwa Abd El Razek, but Italian cruised on to the second TTO 16-5 ahead.

Ortolani then produced another cross-court finisher to give the champions a 20-7 advantage, before Anzanello's impenetrable presence at the net brought set point.

Ortolani then flashed a drive past the Egyptian defence as Italy cruised to a two-set lead.

The Italians briskly took an 8-2 lead as they looked to close out the game in the third set, but Egypt were trying everything to prevent it happening.

Dina Youssef returned an outstanding diving dig as the Africans tried to close ranks, but 15-year-old Nada Nassef was unable to prevent the point when it was fired back.

Nassef did get to a pass from her team-mates soon after, however, firing an unstoppable spike down the touchline.

But it was just a matter of time before Italy set the seal on Pool D with a win, and Ortolani brought the champions to set point at 24-10.

Match 4: Egypt vs. Serbia and Montenegro

Serbia and Montenegro cruise past winless Egypt

November 4, Nagoya: Serbia and Montenegro's impressive form continued as they eliminated Egypt from Pool D in straight sets.

The Balkan side, now with four wins out of four and already qualified for the second stage, overpowered the Egyptians 25-9, 25-13, 25-15 in Nagoya's Rainbow Hall.

Serbia and Montenegro will finish top of the group if they beat Turkey in tomorrow's final game, but for Egypt it has been a different story.

Yosra Selim, captain of the tournament's youngest side, had spoken before the match of using the 2006 competition as a building block to future success.

And the Egyptians knew their match against Serbia and Montenegro would be a crucial, if challenging, step along that path.

The eastern Europeans had begun the tournament with shock wins over defending champions Italy and Cuba, before proving their mettle in coming back from two sets down to get the better of Peru.

Egypt had lost all three of their opening matches, without winning a single set.

But the African champions had shown they were capable of making their opponents work hard for their victories, and took the first point with a Dina Youssef spike.

Natasa Krsmanovic and Jovana Brakocevic showed what Egypt were up against, however, with towering blocks at the net to give Serbia and Montenegro an early lead.

Coach Zoran Terzic had shuffled his pack after the gruelling five-set win over Peru, resting several of his high-scoring players.

Wing spiker Briztika Molnar had made an impact when she came on midway through the clash with the South Americans, and she seized her starting opportunity against Egypt with a good cross-court smash as the Europeans reached the first TTO in front.

And Serbia and Montenegro didn't look back, scoring another eight points unanswered for a 16-4 lead.

Captain Selim then executed a perfect hook shot to bring Egypt a point at 20-7, but Krsmanovic and Maja Ognjenovic were dominating at the net for Serbia and Montenegro.

A missed Egyptian serve then gave the Europeans set point, which Krsmanovic duly converted with a spike from the centre.

Undeterred, Egypt raced into a 5-2 lead at the start of the second set, Ingy El Shamy providing inspiration for her team-mates with a flashing drive.

Menna Allah Mohamed then blocked at the net to give Egypt an 8-4 advantage at the first TTO.

Good work by Molnar ensured the Africans didn't get too far ahead, but a spike into the net by Krsmanovic hinted that Egypt might have ruffled a few feathers in the Serbia and Montenegro camp.

But normal service was resumed as the group leaders roared back into the match and reached the second TTO with a 16-11 lead.

Egypt coach Andres Martinez called a time-out with his side 22-13 down, but a missed spike gave Serbia and Montenegro set point soon after.

Egypt's defence could not return Brakocevic's smash, and Serbia and Montenegro had a two set advantange.

But the Europeans were having trouble returning Egypt's serves at the start of the third set, and the Africans again took an early lead.

But Serbia and Montenegro again found their rhythm to retake the lead, as Jovana Vesovic found space on the left wing.

Spectacular defence from the entire Egypt team brought a round of applause from the Rainbow Hall crowd, with libero Sara Talaat Ali making several last gasp saves, but the point was eventually lost as Serbia and Montenegro began to pull away.

But solid blocking by Mona Badawy ensured that the Europeans' lead would not turn into a procession, and El Shamy also weighed in with power spikes from the wing.

Match 3: Egypt vs. Cuba

Cuba take frustration out on helpless Egypt

November 3, Nagoya: Cuba recovered from a second day defeat to Serbia and Montenegro as they made short work of Egypt in Pool D.

The Cubans were looking to take out their frustration from Wednesday's loss to the eastern Europeans, and Egypt, beginning their campaign with two defeats, were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Carribeans took just 16 minutes to win the opening set 25-9, unleashing their power spikers straight from the off.

Egypt had no answer to the threat of Rosir Calderon coming in from the left flank, and Yanelis Santos and Nancy Carrillo at the net.

Abd El Fattah Sherihan offered the Africans some hope with well-taken points, but it was inevitable that Cuba would reach set point sooner or later.

In the end it came sooner, but even though Carrillo's long serve gave Egypt a chance to reduce the deficit, the resulting serve into the net gave Cuba the first set.

The Cubans were clearly in the mood to maintain their ferocious tempo, and tore into the Egyptian defence immediately after the restart.

A fine Nada Nassef spike found a way through the Cuban blockers, but a defensive mix-up on the next point betrayed a lack of experience among the young Egyptian team.

Yaima Ortiz had replaced Calderon on the left, and was proving just as effective.

But more good play by Abd El Fattah brought the score back to 10-4.

Daimi Ramirez made sure Egypt's resurgance reached no further, and Calderon reappeared to inflict further damage.

Carrillo's height at the net was proving a problem for Egypt's attack, and it was the number 3 who produced the block to bring up set point.

Carrillo then missed the opportunity to seal it with a spike wide, but Calderon had no such problems at the next time of asking.

Ingy El Shamar produced a brilliantly subtle touch at the net to make sure Cuba did not run away at the start of the third set.

But the size of the task they were facing was underlined when Dina Youssef could only parry a giant shot from the Cubans, only to see Yenisei Gonzalez waiting to smash home the rebound.

Egypt went into the first TTO trailing by only a point at 8-7, and Menna Allah Mohamed gave a hint that the Africans were growing into the match with a good spike at the net.

But power play by Gonzalez, among others, took Cuba closer to match point.

Kenia Carcases and Liana Mesa came off the bench as Cuba flexed their muscles, but it was another substitute, Rachel Sanchez, that brought Cuba to match point.

Match 2: Egypt vs. Turkey

Confident Turks get off the mark

November 1, Nagoya: Turkey recorded their first ever World Championships win with a confident display against Egypt.

The Turks, making their tournament debut, put an opening day defeat against Cuba behind them to sweep the North Africans aside in straight sets, 25-11, 25-13, 25-8.

Turkey, looking more and more at home in volleyball's premier competition, powered to victory with another glittering performance from 22-year-old wing spiker Neslihan Darnel.

Both teams entered the match after suffering losses in their first Pool D matches.

Egypt, the youngest side in the competition and the only team with an average age under 21, had been outplayed by the more powerful Peruvians.

Turkey had put up a strong fight against Cuba, reaching one set point along the way, but eventually succumbed in straight sets.

The Turks looked to use the big-hitting tactics that had given the Cubans a run for their money, with Darnel adding to her points tally early on.

But Egypt were defending well and putting together some strong attacks of their own, with Ingy El Shamy firing shots from the right wing.

Turkey began to pull ahead, and Darnel showed there was more to her game than power with a delicate tip over when the Egyptians were expecting another cannonball.

Natalia Hanikoglu was also getting into the act, and Turkey stretched their lead, going into the second TTO at 16-8.

Egyptian number 15 Mona Badawy was proving a difficult barrier at the net for the Turkish attack, but Turkey's Elif Agca made sure Egypt could not gain a foothold with sound blocking of her own.

An Esra Gumus service ace then took the Turks to set point, before a missed return wrapped up the first set for the European debutantes 25-11.

Seda Tokatlioglu, an impressive performer in yesterday's encounter with Cuba, made her first appearance of the match at the start of the second set, and immediately made her presence felt with a towering block.

Eda Erdem then produced a huge spike to make the score 11-7 in Turkey's favour, prompting Egypt coach Andres Martinez to call a time-out.

The Africans returned to take the game to Turkey, trading blows in a marathon rally, but eventually surrendered the point to another Tokatlioglu spike.

Egypt were struggling to find their rythm, and several unforced errors edged Turkey closer to a 2-0 lead.

A Darnel block brought the Turks to set point, and a delicate winner from Erdem put the icing on the cake at 25-13.

Turkey had the bit between their teeth going into what they hoped would be the final set, but Egypt had other plans.

Sherihan Abd El Fattah, the Egyptians' top scorer in yesterday's defeat to Peru, executed a perfect cross-court spike to keep in touch with the opposition.

But Turkey's power was just too much for the young Egyptians, who went into the second TTO trailing 16-6.

Aysun Ozbek and Gozde Kirdar then weighed in with points to take the Turks to match point.

Match 1: Egypt vs. Peru:

Peru make solid start to Group D

  October 31 - Nagoya: Peru began their World Championships campaign with a convincing win over Egypt in the opening game of Group D.

A small but noisy band of South American fans cheered on their side as they chalked up a 25-19, 25-6, 25-13 victory in Nagoya's Rainbow Hall.

Peru began the match looking to overpower their opponents, with Patricia Soto scoring with early big spikes.

But resolute defending by Sherihan Abd El Fattah and clever play by setter Yosra Selim made sure that Egypt never lost touch with their rivals.

Peru went into the second technical time-out with a 16-8 lead, after more power play from Soto and solid blocking by Mirtha Uribe.

Captain Leyla Chihuan was also growing in influence for the South Americans, and Peru took the first set 25-19 on their second set point.

Abd El Fattah and Selim were again behind most of Egypt's best moves at the beginning of the second set, but it was Peru who took the early lead.

Natalia Romanova's power at the net gave Egypt another attacking threat to worry about, and Peru went into the second TTO with a 16-5 advantage.

Ingy El Shamy led Egypt's valiant efforts to repel the growing wave of Peruvian pressure, but Soto wrapped up the second set 25-6 with a spike from Uribe's set-up.

The north Africans began the third set brightly, but Peru's spiking strength was again proving hard to live with.

Sara Lobaton Joya made her first appearance of the match with the score at 12-7 in Peru's favour, and immediately made her presence felt with a feignted tip-over at the net.

The South Americans then stretched their lead to 20-8 before Egypt coach Andres Martinez tried to stem the tide by calling a time-out.

But it could not stop Peru from notching their first win of the competition, captain Chihuan sealing the match with an authoritative spike.