The FIVB Women’s World Championships are set for the medal-deciding rounds today and tomorrow at the 12,000-seat Yokohama Arena, in Yokohama (JPN):
∙ 19 October: Semifinals:
Serbia (9-2) vs. Netherlands (9-2)
China (10-1) vs. Italy (10-1)
∙ 20 October:
5th place: Japan (7-4) vs. United States (7-4)
3rd place: Semifinal losers
1st place: Semifinal winners
Of the semifinalists, China won in 1982 and 1986 and was second to the U.S. in 2014; Italy won in 2002; Serbia (as Serbia and Montenegro) won bronze in 2006, and the Dutch have never played for a medal in the women’s Worlds. It’s the first time since 2006 that the American women will not play for a medal.
The top scorers in the tournament are, of course, all part of the third round. Almost assured of being the top three in the final tally as scoring leader Paola Ogechi Egonu (ITA), who has 246 total points, followed by Lonneke Sloetjes (NED: 238) and Chinese captain Ting Zhu, with 191.
Look for scores and final standings here.
