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JAP Erika Araki (11) breaks down the three men block from Brazil
Tokyo, Japan,
August 23, 2009: Olympic champions Brazil
won their eighth FIVB World Grand Prix title with a perfect 5-0 record by
beating Japan
3-1 in the last match of the
Final Round at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Sunday evening.
In front of 10,000 spectators
for the 15th and final match of the five-day, six-team round-robin, Brazil won
25-21, 25-27, 25-19, 25-19 to retain their Grand Prix crown in style.
Japan made them work hard for the Final Round sweep,
however, even though they ended with a 1-4 record.
Brazil
winner of the 17th WGP
Head Coach Jose Roberto
Guimaraes: It was a very difficult game today. Japan played very well and their
serves were very aggressive. Japan
has become stronger and stronger game by game and is a big threat to us.
Captain Dani Lins: I knew
this match would be tough because Japan is different from other
teams, especially blocking and service. It was difficult for us because the
Japanese team plays a very different style to us. I am really glad to have won
the gold medal.
(left to right) Tatiana Kosheleva (best spiker), Yoshie
Takeshita (best setter), Sheila Castro (MVP), Manon Flier (best scorer and
server), Kersten Tzscherlich (best libero) and Fabiana Claudino (best blocker)
Information and Photo from FIVB.com
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