Seven of eight quarterfinals tickets booked in Rio 2016 women’s volleyball

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2016 – Seven of the eight quarterfinals women’s volleyball quarterfinals spots at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games have been booked with a day to spare in pool play.Hosts and defending champions Brazil together with Russia and Korea from Pool A, plus USA, Serbia, China and The Netherlands from Pool B have all claimed their tickets and it’s now a matter of jostling into position to determine the quarterfinals pairings.The last remaining ticket for the quarterfinals will be decided on the closing day of pool play, Sunday, when London 2012 bronze medallists Japan clash with Olympic rookies Argentina – each of them needing a win by any score to qualify.Brazil confirmed their status on Friday as favourites for a third straight Olympic gold medal, when they swept Korea 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 27-25) to remain undefeated. The hosts are the only team in the competition not to have dropped a single set in four matches.Russia also remained undefeated in Pool A, after downing Japan 3-0 (25-14, 30-28, 25-18).Brazil and Russia meet on Sunday to decide which team gets to finish top of the pool. It is a rematch of that epic quarterfinal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, when Brazil won in five sets.In the other match of Pool A Argentina edged Cameroon 3-2 (19-25, 25-19, 26-28, 25-21, 15-13) to stay alive in the race for the quarterfinals.

Pool B saw reigning world champions USA retain their undefeated status and stay alone on top of the standings, after a 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20) win over Italy.Serbia shut out China 3-0 (25-19, …

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