Russia took their first Paralympic Sitting Volleyball medal by upsetting defending bronze medalist Egypt 3-2 (22-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20, 15-9) in the bronze medal match at CAU Gymnasium on Monday.
World No. 3 Egypt could not neutralize outstanding performances by Russian attackers Dmitriy Gordiyenko and Alexander Savichev, who played also as pillars of defense when positioned in the back row. The African team played inconsistently, with spiker Mohamed A. Abouelyazeid frequently stopped by Russia's efficient blocks.
Russia and Egypt fought an even first set, alternately scoring on blocks and kills until Russia lost three precious points after the second technical time-out.
Viktor Milenin tried to cover the gap with a series of spikes and shots across the net, but Abouelyazeid banged three balls to bring the score to 22-24. A fault by Russia gave the set to Egypt 22-25.
Russia lead at the start of the third set with ease, thanks to Egypt's unforced errors and to sharp offence and blocks by Savichev. Egypt tried to turn the set around, attacking with Abouelyazeid and Hesham Salah Elshwikh, but a sequence of spikes by Gordiyenko and Savichev allowed Russia to take off, closing the set 25-16.
Excessive power in attacks by Russia helped Egypt direct the third set from the beginning. Gordiyenko scored on spikes to bring about a tie at 15-15, but Russia'a momentum did not last and the African team managed to regain a solid advantage on Russian dig errors to finish the set 19-25.
The Russian team looked refuelled when they came back to play the fourth set. Egypt could not resist their attacks and Russia dominated the beginning to 8-1. Gordiyenko, Milenin and Savichev scored most of the points, with Savichevic saving important balls at the end of the court.
Egypt had attack and defense errors that gave the lead of the fifth set to Russia. Gordiyenko played consistently, while Egypt was not able to set up their attack. Abouelyazeid spiked out the ball that gave Russia the victory.
(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2008)