Ismailia, Egypt, September 12, 2019 - Brazil stopped Russia in their tracks to qualify for Friday's semifinals of the 2019 FIVB Girls' U18 World Championship after an incredible and thoroughly enjoyable 3-2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-17, 15-9) complete turnaround here in Thursday's quarterfinals.
Three-time world champions Brazil are back amongst the world's elite in this age-group, making the medals matches for the first time in six years, after finishing 11th in 2015 and 10th in 2017.
Russia, two-time world champions and bronze medallists last time around in 2017, are now consigned to play for positions 5-8.
Semifinals on Friday
• China v Italy or Peru
• Brazil v USA or Japan
Ecstatic Marcelle Arruda gets a hug from Katia Machado after scoring an ace against Russia in the tie-break of the 2019 FIVB Girls' U18 World Championship quarterfinals in Ismailia.
Russia broke away after the second technical timeout in the first set, building up a gap of as many as six points, which Brazil never managed to close. They carried on in similar fashion in the second, Brazil struggling to keep up.
But the South Americans did react in the third, opening up a three-point lead by the second technical timeout and extending that to 13-19. Russia made a 5-0 run to close in within a point, but Brazil extended the match with a 5-1 of their own - finished off with back-to-back aces by Ana Cristina Menezes.
Brazil had gotten going and there was no stopping them, as they continued to apply pressure from the service line, scattering Russia's reception to lead by three at the first technical timeout of the fourth and widen the gap, cruising on to force a tie-break.
Marcelle Arruda's serving in the fifth powered Brazil to a 7-0 from from 4-7 to 11-7. The South Americans relentlessly pushed on, the game's top scorer on 25 points Ana Cristina putting away the last ball with a thundering cross-court hit that the Russia's could only watch hit the floor.
Setter Polina Matveeva celebrates a point as she masterminds Russia's win over Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIVB Girls' U18 World Championship in Ismailia.
Russia's blocking was almost impenetrable in the first two sets producing 12 stuffs (five from Elizaveta Kochurina), but after embarking on their comeback Brazil's 15 aces (including seven from Ana Cecilia Lopes alone) were decisive.
Tatiana Kadochkina was Russia's best scorer on 14 points.
Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship
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