Italy, US keep rolling at women's World Cup
SAPPORO, Japan (AFP) — Italy and the United States kept up their winning streaks at the women's World Cup volleyball tournament on Sunday, setting up a dramatic head-to-head clash on the last day of the event.
European champions Italy easily defeated Peru 25-13, 25-21, 25-17 in Sapporo, while the Americans outclassed South Korea 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 in Kumamoto -- giving both undefeated teams their eighth straight victory.
The top three finishers in the 12-team round robin competition will qualify for next year's Beijing Olympics.
Italian coach Massimo Barbolini said his squad was looking forward to their last three matches against world silver medallists Brazil, Cuba and the United States.
"Now we are waiting for the final round in Nagoya, where we know all our work of these 20 days will be decided," said Barbolini.
"Very, very difficult matches are waiting for us, and now we have gained good form, but we know the other teams are also in good form," he added.
US coach Lang Ping expressed concern about nagging injuries to key players.
"We still have injuries -- to Heather Bown and Lindsey Berg -- but we will have two days off. Hopefully, before the Serbia game Bown can play a little bit. We really need another setter," said Lang.
"Also, Jennifer Joines has a right-knee injury, so you didn't see her hit that much today."
Berg said: "We're very happy with the win today. We've finished the (Kumamoto) round exactly as we wanted. Our goal was to win three games here and it didn't matter how."
"We now go to the (Nagoya) round with an 8-0 record and in a position to qualify for the Olympics. Hopefully (we can) win the title. We're very happy to have taken care of business on our side," she added.
In other matches, world bronze medallists Serbia suffered a major setback when they lost to Poland in a tough five-setter, 24-26, 25-23, 25-12, 19-25, 15-10.
Four-time former champions Cuba breezed past Asian bronze medallists Thailand, 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-13.
Brazil overwhelmed the Dominican Republic, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14, while hosts Japan whipped African champions Kenya, 25-14, 25-12, 25-8.
Brazil trail Italy and the United States with a 7-1 record, followed by Serbia, Cuba and Japan at 6-2.
