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Czech Republic, Bulgaria keep winning

Lausanne June 9 . Bulgaria — making its first World League appearance in four years — and the Czech Republic, a debutant, were the surprise leaders in their respective pools after the completion of four weeks of the $ 15 million World League intercontinental volleyball rounds on Sunday.

Both teams completed clean sweeps over the weekend, Bulgaria over the Netherlands and the Czechs over Japan to lead Pool C and D respectively.

Following Sunday's results which saw World League champion Russia defeat Spain 26-24, 20-25, 25-21, 25-23, Serbia and Montenegro beat Cuba 21-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-17, 15-11, Italy beat Germany 25-18, 19-25, 25-22, 31-19, Brazil beat Portugal 25-19, 25-23, 25-15 and the Czech Republic beat Japan 25-21, 25-19, 25-18 for the second straight sets victories.

The Czech Republic, with five successive wins, is ahead of Greece on set ratio in Pool D with World League bronze medallist France in third spot with four victories.

Bulgaria, with four wins, holds first place in Pool C on set ratio over Serbia and Montenegro, Olympic and European champion. Of the two other Pools, Russia is undefeated with six wins in Pool A while Brazil leads Italy in Pool B on set ratio as both sides have lost only one of their six games.

Friday's and Saturday's results: Bulgaria bt The Netherlands 25-22, 26-24, 20-25, 21-25, 15-12; Czech Republic bt Japan 25-23, 25-14, 26-24; Greece bt France 25-20, 16-25, 30-28, 28-26; Italy bt Germany 25-19, 26-24, 22-25, 25-16; Brazil bt Portugal 25-21, 27-25, 25-22; Russia bt Spain 25-18, 25-23, 24-26, 23-25, 15-9; Poland bt Venezuela 25-18, 25-13, 25-23; France bt Germany 26-24, 30-28, 25-23; Venezuela bt Poland 25-20, 25-22, 25-20; Bulgaria bt The Netherlands 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-20.

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