Reigning champions Germany crashed to an unexpected defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka yesterday in the 2011 WOVD Standing Volleyball World Cup, but despite their 25-11, 23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 14-16 loss, the three-time world champions went to the top of the group table as the top four teams headed into today’s semifinal rounds.

The three-time World Cup winners finished ahead of Cambodia and Sri Lanka thanks to a superior points tally, with Slovakia filling in the fourth spot after their easy 25-6, 25-6, 25-3 victory yesterday over Laos.

Hosts Cambodia came up with a sterling show at the indoor hall of Olympic Stadium, beating Slovakia 25-21, 25-19, 25-16 in the morning session and then forcing Kazakstan into knots in the evening to win their last group game with consummate ease 25-16, 25-16, 25-19.

Germany, Cambodia and Sri Lanka finished level on eight points with four wins and a loss each, but the holders’ better points ratio earned them the top spot.

Cambodia had a mathematical chance of overhauling Germany when they took the court against Kazakhstan yesterday, but had to win in straight sets as well as restricting their opponents to a total of 25 points in all three games combined.

The task proved too great and allowed Germany to advance to the semifinals as group leaders, where they will face fourth placed Slovakia.

Cambodia and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in the second semifinal. “We enjoy a slight psychological advantage over Sri Lanka, having beaten them in the group stage. I hope we can carry that momentum,” Cambodia head coach Hang Chhaya told The Post after the match.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan camp is confident that they can overturn that narrow loss against Cambodia and stake a strong claim for the coveted World Cup for the first time.

Kazakhstan and Laos will compete the first of their two fifth place playoff matches this morning.

World Cup match schedule

5th place playoff – First leg

• Kazakhstan v Laos – 10am

Semifinals

• Germany v Slovakia – 4:30pm
• Cambodia v Sri Lanka – 6:30pm