stitute the setter Maria Akulova with Maria Sheshenina. Things changed soon after. Fast attacks set up by Sheshenina and powerful services by Sokolova gave them a 6-0 run, rallying to lead Algeria at 15-11. The Russians were again the winner at 25-19.

The third set was exactly a copy of the first set. The Russians jumped to a commanding lead soon at 10-3, 16-5 and 21-7. Saleha Benhamouda’s wild shot closed the set, Russia winning 25-10 in 19 minutes.

2008 Olympic Games

Day 4

Russia men and women defeated the African representatives

Beijing, August 16, 2008 – Russia men and women teams took over the African representatives Egypt men and Russia women in tough matches of the fourth day of the preliminary round of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Russia overcame Egypt in straight sets (25-19, 25-14, 25-18) at the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium. Russia women also sailed to an easy straight set win (25-14, 25-19, 25-10) over unfenced Algeria in just one hour in Pool B.

Russia men is on top form after they stunned Brazil 3-1 in their last match while Egypt comes at the bottom of the pool. .

Russia's Yury Berezhko and Semen Poltavskiy began their attack from back-court and front-row. Egypt's Hossameidin Gomaa responded by scoring from the left.

Russia continued to dominate on the net with triple blocking tactics by Alexander Korneev, Alexey Kuleshov and Vadim Khamuttskikh, halting Egypt's offence.

Alexey Ostapenko's vigorous serving affected Egypt's attacking rhythm, making Russia even more efficient with their blocks.

In the later stages of the game, Russia was completely in command, leading all the way. A Kuleshov and Poltavskiy double-block scored the last point and ended the set and also the match 25-18.

Ostapenko was the top server of the match with four aces and is the top server of the tournament with eight service aces.

Russia will play Poland next Monday to determine their final ranking in Pool B.

Russia make light work of Algeria

Russia sailed to an easy straight sets win (25-14, 25-19, 25-10) over unfenced Algeria in just one hour in Pool B at the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium. Algeria became at the bottom of the pool without a victory.

Russia, the clear pre-match favorite, proved too strong for the much shorter North Africans, and also sent a message to the other Olympic participating teams that though they have lost two matches to Brazil and Italy, they are still a strong contender for the medals.

Russian Head Coach Giovanni Caprara said, “We are improving in every field, which has laid a good foundation for future competitions.”

With the win, Russia improved their record to 2-2, almost ensuring their entry into the quarter-finals while Algeria dropped their record to 0-4, and are now eliminated.

Russia’s supremacy was very clear from the first set. Headed by Evgenia Estes, who scored 12 points, and Liubov "Sokolova" Shashkova who added 11 points, the Russians easily won the first set 25-14 in just 20 minutes.

Algeria was determined not to give Russia the pleasure of one more easy win in the second set, which went point-by-point in the early stages. Algeria’s Lydia Oulmou and Faiza Tsabet attacked strong from the left and caught the Russians off-guard. Algeria even led in the first technical timeout at 8-7 and then 10-9, forcing Caprara to substitute the setter Maria Akulova with Maria Sheshenina. Things changed soon after. Fast attacks set up by Sheshenina and powerful services by Sokolova gave them a 6-0 run, rallying to lead Algeria at 15-11. The Russians were again the winner at 25-19.

The third set was exactly a copy of the first set. The Russians jumped to a commanding lead soon at 10-3, 16-5 and 21-7. Saleha Benhamouda’s wild shot closed the set, Russia winning 25-10 in 19 minutes.