Russia's women's volleyball team took a small step towards the London Olympics on Saturday, crushing Thailand by three sets to nil in the first match of the qualification tournament in Tokyo, Japan.
Nataliya Goncharova contributed 14 points for Russia, while Maria Prepelkina and Ekaterina Gamova each grabbed 12, making the final score 25-19, 25-18, 25-16.
In the other match on Saturday the Serbians beat Chinese Taipei 25-19, 25-15, 25-16.
The Tokyo qualification tournament, finishing on May 27, gives the top eight teams without an Olympic berth the chance to snatch the four remaining London places.
World champions Russia are fighting it out with Serbia, Cuba, Peru, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Chinese Taipei, with one Asian representative guaranteed to qualify.
Russia is the most successful women’s team in the history of the Olympics, taken together with its Soviet predecessor, having four gold medals and four silver.
On Sunday the Russians are to face South Korea.
Already qualified for London are hosts Britain, Italy, the United States, China, Algeria, Dominican Republic, Turkey and Brazil.
