BANGKOK Thailand
The Spanish women’s volleyball team is the big surprise at the World University Games, upsetting Russia and Brazil to qualify for the quarterfinals in first place in its group.
Spain bounced back from an early lapse to beat host Thailand in four sets and qualify for the eight-team knockout stage with a 3-0 record.
Spain, which plays Poland in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, has a 9-2 set record.
“We were surprised because for the first time, we beat three teams whom we’ve never beaten,” said Spain coach Aurelio Urena.
Spain is already assured of finishing better than its last University Games in 2005 at Turkey, where it placed ninth.
“Even though we are playing so well now, we don’t want to think ahead too much,” Urena said.
