Germany make it two in a row after victory over Mexico
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Pycia (left) of Poland against Kim Sa-Nee (KOR)
Germany vs Mexico
3 - 0

Germany cruised to a straight-sets victory over Mexico to maintain their 100 per cent record in Pool B of the FIVB Volleyball World Championship for Women in Sapporo on Wednesday.

After their victory over Dominican Republic on Tuesday, Germany continued their superiority over Central American teams with a 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 victory over Mexico, who are still searching for their first win after two matches.

Germany's superior blocking and teamwork won the day as Mexico, who lost to Russian in their first match, were always chasing the game.

Germany took an early stranglehold on the match, with some fine blocks and blistering attacks from their front-line players. Birgit Thumm provided a series of thrashing spikes to help the Germans cruise to a 17-9 lead.

Mexico succeeded in breaking double figures with Migdalel Ruiz giving them options in attack, but the Germans were always in control.

Captain Angelina Grun completed a dominant first-set display for Germany with a flashing spike that had the Mexicans sprawling.

Germany continued their domination in the second set, despite the efforts of Mexican captain Bibiana Candelas to lift her team.

Thumm, Grun and Christiane Furst, along with Kathleen Weiss, patrolled the net effectively for Germany, never allowing Mexico's attackers to take a clear shot.

The Germans strolled to a 16-7 lead and then led 23-17 before the Mexicans staged a mini-fightback. Mexico fought back to 24-21 but Thumm made sure of the set with a sharp spike into empty space.

With Grun and Thumm leading the way, Germany were rarely threatened in the third set with Mexico creating only a handful of spiking opportunities.

The Germans led 8-4 at the first time-out and rapidly moved into a 12-6 lead with a range of blocks and spikes that were too much for the Mexicans to handle.

At 16-12, Germany made some substitutions and the fresh players added extra bite into their attack, with Margareta Kozuch in fine spiking form.

Mexico hadn't given up, though, moving to within 18-16 when Germany's Italian coach Giovanni Guidetti called time-out.

Kozuch made it 19-16 with a powerful spike and Yendy Cortinas replied in kind for Mexico. Germany finally sealed victory when Germany's three-women front line blocked Mexico's attempted spike.

Germany next take on Russia while Mexico face another tough task, against China. Four of the six teams from Pool B qualify for the second round in Osaka.

(FIVB)
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