China beat by Italy 3-0 at World Champions Cup
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-11-23 10:58
China lost their opener at 2005 World Grand Champions Cup, demolished by Italy 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-17) in Nagano, Japan, November 22, 2005.
Fang Yingchao of China spikes past Tencati of Italy. [sina] |
With a wild card, China took the the six-nation round robin tournament featuring champions from four continents and European Champions Italy.
Possessing a 2-centimeter advantage on average height, China fail to win the competition over the net.
Italy's Alessandro Fei was almost unstoppable, scoring a game-high 17 points, and Luigi Mastrangelo dominated the net with 11 points.
China's Yuan Zhi led the team with 10 points, 9 of which from spikes. Veteran spiker Shen Qiong failed to impress the game, replaced by Sui Shengzhi soon, but the latter could not find his form either.
"It's not a matter of being too nerves. " China coach Di Anhe complained after the loss, "Simple passes become a problem to my players."
While Gianpaolo Montali, Italy's head coach, stressed the determination of the team to win all five matches and a second WGCC title after their inaugural success in 1993.
"If we came here just to play against Brazil and USA we would lose the tournament," he said.
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