Although it has played just three of its five preliminary pool matches, losses by two other teams today ensured USA will compete in next week's Olympic medal round.
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| Brazil celebrates during a 3-2 win against China Friday in London -Getty images |
South Korea (2-2), fresh off a big win over Brazil, fell to Turkey (2-2), also in five sets. The fifth set was 15-12.
Olympic women's indoor volleyball has two pools, with six teams in each pool. The top four in each pool advance to next week's quarterfinals. Rankings are based on pool win/loss records, with teams awarded 3 points for winning a match either 3-0 or 3-1; 2 points for winning 3-2; 1 point for losing 2-3; and no points for losing 1-3 or 0-3.
At the moment, the USA (3-0) leads Pool B with 9 points and two matches to play (today against Serbia and Sunday against Turkey). Brazil (2-2) is in fifth place with 4 points and just one match to play (Sunday against Serbia.) Thus, USA can finish no lower than fourth.
If USA beats Serbia today in either three or four sets, it will have 12 points, and will clinch the top spot in Pool B, no matter how it does Sunday against Turkey.
Current Pool B standings (before USA vs. Serbia):
Pool B
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WINS
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LOSSES
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POINTS
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1
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USA
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Korea (3-1)
Brazil (3-1)
China (3-1)
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9
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2
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South Korea
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Serbia (3-1)
Brazil (3-0)
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USA (1-3)
Turkey (2-3)
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7
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3
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China
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Serbia (3-1)
Turkey (3-1)
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USA (0-3)
Brazil (2-3)
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7
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4
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Turkey
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Serbia (3-0)
Korea (3-2)
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Brazil (2-3)
China (1-3)
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6
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5
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Brazil
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Turkey (3-2)
China (3-2)
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USA (1-3)
Korea (0-3)
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4
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6
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Serbia
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China (1-3)
Korea (1-3)
Turkey (0-3)
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0
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see also:
Olympics | Surprises in rear-view mirror, showdowns in headlights
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