On Friday, the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in Italy and Bulgaria had some exciting matches that have pushed teams to the brink of elimination for the third round. Below we will look at each pool and also include the scenarios for those teams that can finish in the best second place positions:
Pool E
Italy (6-0, 18 points)
1st Place in Pool
- Will clinch a berth in the third round with a WIN vs. Russia
Best 2nd Place Record
- A Serbia LOSS vs. Argentina IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- Italy would have have more points (18 points) than Serbia (max 17) if tied on wins at 6
- OR A Serbia LOSS vs. Argentina IN 5 SETS AND 2 SET WINS BY ITALY vs. Russia
- Italy would have have more points (19 points) than Serbia (max 18) if tied on wins at 6
Russia (4-2, 13 points)
Best 2nd Place Record
- Iran LOSS vs. Canada IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Netherlands LOSS vs. Finland IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Belgium LOSS vs. Australia IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Bulgaria LOSS vs. USA IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND France LOSS vs. Poland IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Slovenia LOSS vs. Brazil IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Russia WIN VS. Italy IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- Russia would reach 5 wins and 16 points with the win, all of these losing teams could only reach 5 wins at most and 15 points at most, giving Russia the berth in the third round
Netherlands cannot win Pool E and would be eliminated with Serbia and Russia WINS.
Finland has already been eliminated from the tournament.
Pool F
Brazil (5-1, 14 points)
1st Place in Pool
- WIN vs. Slovenia
Slovenia can win Pool F, but must beat Brazil to have a chance at winning the Pool. Slovenia would be eliminated with Serbia and Russia WINS.
Belgium can still technically win Pool F, but need Brazil to lose twice and Slovenia to lose once, while Belgium has to win its final two matches.
Australia has already been eliminated from the tournament.
Pool G
USA (6-0, 16 points)
1st Place in Pool
- WIN vs. Bulgaria
Best 2nd Place in Pool
- Iran LOSS vs. Canada IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Netherlands LOSS vs. Finland IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Slovenia LOSS vs. Brazil IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Russia LOSS vs. Italy IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- If Russia does not lose Serbia LOSS vs. Argentina IN 3 OR 4 SETS
Bulgaria can still win Pool G, but must defeat the USA to have a chance. Serbia and Russia WINS combined with a Bulgaria LOSS will eliminate them from the tournament.
Iran can still win Pool G, but need to win two matches, have Bulgaria win on Saturday and then have Bulgaria lose on Sunday.
Canada cannot win Pool G and Serbia and Russia WINS would eliminated them from the tournament.
Pool H
Poland (5-1, 16 points)
1st Place in Pool
- Serbia LOSS vs. Argentina in 3 or 4 SETS
- AND Poland WIN vs. France
- Poland would reach 6 wins and 18 points (minimum), while Serbia would reach 6 wins but only 17 points (maximum)
Best 2nd Place in Pool
- Iran LOSS vs. Canada IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Netherlands LOSS vs. Finland IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Belgium LOSS vs. Australia IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Bulgaria LOSS vs. USA IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Slovenia LOSS vs. Brazil IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Poland WINS 2 SETS vs. France
- Poland will take the sets ratio tiebreaker against France if tied on wins (5) and points (17), Poland 1.727 to France 1.615
Serbia (5-1, 14 points)
Best 2nd Place Record
- Serbia WIN vs. Argentina
- AND Iran LOSS vs. Canada IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Netherlands LOSS vs. Finland IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Bulgaria LOSS vs. USA IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Slovenia LOSS vs. Brazil IN 3 OR 4 SETS
France cannot win Pool H, as if Poland and Serbia were to lose on Saturday, the winner of their match on Sunday would win the pool. If Serbia and Russia WIN, France will be eliminated from the tournament.
Argentina cannot win Pool H, and would be eliminated if Serbia and Russia win.
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