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Fascinating match up
 Sendai,
Japan, July 11, 2005 - Both teams have a similar record
from the Preliminary Round, winning six matches and
losing three, both reached the quarterfinals of the 2004
Olympics before losing and the last time these two
played - in the round robin play of the Olympics - Italy
won in straight sets 25-16 25-13 25-17.
The is match is
going to be a classic. Obviously, the huge home crowd
will have a significant bearing on Japan's fortunes but
it will come down to a new look Italian line up against
a small but determined Japanese side, who have looked
the part in the Preliminary Round.
Italy, ranked fourth
in the world, will be hoping to step up another gear
from the Preliminary Round especially from their last
match, when they beat China in straight sets.
Japan,
ranked seventh, will have plenty of local support, it is
just a matter if they can turn that into victory on the
court. |
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Finals