USA and Brazil seal tickets to semifinals

TURIN, Italy, September 27, 2018 - USA and Brazil claimed the first two tickets to the semifinals of the 2018 FIVB Men's World Championship, after a clean sweep by USA of Russia 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23) here Thursday evening.

The result sees reigning European champions Russia head home early, winless in this 3rd Round of the competition. Russia had previously lost to Brazil on Wednesday after blowing a two-set lead.

On the back of that win, Brazil follow USA into the semifinals.

Now USA and Brazil will meet on Friday to decide first place in their pool, which will determine pairings for Saturday's semifinals.

The USA outside hitters passed on the baton as Taylor Sander dominated the first two sets and Aaron Russell closed the match.

The most iconic battle of modern sport did not disappoint the fans in Turin: it was fast, physical, and too close to call until the last point despite the final set count.

After the big comeback suffered from Brazil in the first match, coach Sergei Shliapnikov chose to change his setter and put captain Sergey Grankin back in Russia's starting six.

USA coach John Speraw insisted on his typical formation, and gave a clear order to his men: push the serve to the limit and fear nothing.

Sander's domination over the formidable Russian block was simply vertical: rarely had an outside hitter gone so often above Ilyas Kurkaev's or Dmitriy Muserskiy's blocking attempts, providing him 15 points with impressive efficiency (+8, 57%), combined with rock solid reception (82%) and two blocks.