Italy upset China in WGP volleyball women's finals

HONG KONG, July 10 -- European powerhouse Italy swept Olympic champions China 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) here on Sunday to clinch the berth of the World Grand Prix women's volleyball finals.

China's skipper Feng Kun sets up ball as Italy defeats China 3-0(25-22, 25-22, 25-22) in Hong Kong. [Xinhua]

After Sunday's matches, Olympic champions China, defending champions Brazil, Olympic bronze medalists Cuba, Italy and the Netherlands managed to join hosts Japan in the finals set for Sendai, Japan from July 13-18.

Poland, who had remained hope with Italy and the Netherlands before the match, found their point ratio too much to their disadvantage and finished in seventh as Italy shocked Olympic champions China, despite beating the United States 3-1 (25-18, 25- 17, 22-25, 25-22) in Bangkok.

"I am very happy as this was an excellent game and a big day for Italy," coach Marco Bonitta said after beating China.

"We only had two to three experienced players while the rest of the teal is still young and inexperienced, but today, they all played at the same level."

The United States, under new coach Jenny Lang Ping, finished a disappointing campaign in eighth position just as they looked to be possibly sneaking into the finals through the back door.

In the other match here, the Dominican Republic finally broke their duck after nine matches of the Preliminary Round by beating Germany 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-21, 15-7) in the opening match in Hong Kong.

"I must say I am the happiest man today, not for myself but for my players," Dominican Republic coach Francisco Cruz said.

"They worked very hard for this. We are the youngest team in the World Grand Prix and it is only our second appearance in the competition, which has the strongest teams in the world, " added Cruz.

In Taipei, China, Cuba lost their unbeaten record after going down to defending champions Brazil 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23) and in Bangkok, fist-pumping Japan pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind 3-1 (23-25 25-22 25-17 25-22) victory over hosts Thailand, who were the only side in the competition not to win a match.

The final round in Sendai will see the six teams play 15 matches over five days in a round-robin format with the team with the most victories walking away as 2005 World Grand Prix champions.