When we arrived the fourth set was already underway, with the Serbians 2-1 up having lost the first set.
However, Serbia did not complete the victory despite recovering from Greece's early set lead (2-7) to tie the score at 11-11. Then, neither team held a lead of more than a point until the last rally when Konstantinos Christofidelis spiked successfully to lead Greece to a breathtaking win.
The pressure was on in the fifth set. Left-handed Ilias LAPPAS led Greece on a 5-1 streak to put Greece in front, 11-10. But the reigning champions kept their nerve. Vladan DJORDJEVIC's service-ace proved to be crucial as Serbia and Montenegro were the first team to reach match-point at 14-12 before Vladimir GRBIC's spiked home the winner.
Serbia win 3-2 (21-25, 38-36, 25-13, 23-25, 15-12)
In the final match of the Preliminary Round, USA faced Brazil. With the USA needed to win to ensure qualification for the knockout phase, and the unbeaten Brazilians needing only a set to top the group
The first set was close all the way through, but the American team showed more discipline as the set reached its crucial final points. Led by Clayton Stanley and Thomas Hoff the US clinched the first set 25-22.
Brazil responded in the second set and went ahead, 21-17. However, a magnificent six-point-streak based on the blocking abilities of William Priddy turned things around and the USA took the set 25-23.
Rodrigo Santana and Anderson Rodrigues guided Brazil to a 25-18 third set victory. Brazil improved had their serving and blocking considerably, having seven service-aces and fifteen kill-blocks in total.
The Brazilian team took the early lead in the fourth set, 8-3, 12-7 and then 16-12. The USA team responded and tied the set at 18 points, going on to finally win it 25-22.
The american team were boosted by a total of forty-two points from unforced errors by the Brazilian team, to achieve the victory they required with William Priddy scoring 10 points for the winners. The Brazilians had showed their class, when needed, Anderson Rodrigues, Giovane Gavio and Rodrigo Santana scored 15 points each for Brazil.
USA beat Brazil 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 25-22)