The Dominican Republic overcame the USA 3-2 in the opening match of the 2006 World Grand Prix in Bydgoszcz, Poland, which was also the weekend’s longest. Playing in the same group, Italy took revenge for last year’s European Championship final by beating Poland 3-0. Marco Bonitta’s team secured the top spot in the pool, and second overall, with a second straight-set victory over the Dominican Republic and a 3-1 score against the USA, leaving them tied with Brazil on points and win-loss record, but trailing by points ratio. Despite fielding two of the weekend’s top three scorers (Tayyiba Haneef with 56 points and Nancy Metcalf with 51), the USA finished the weekend third in their pool and eighth overall.

Playing in Hong Kong, China kept abreast of the overall leaders with straight-set victories against Thailand and Russia and a hard-fought five-setter against newcomer Azerbaijan. The Azeris proved to be a force to be reckoned with by pushing all of their first three matches to five sets, finally being rewarded in their last match of the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Thailand, despite being weakened after the first two matches, according to head coach Faig Garyev.

The second leg of the 2006 FIVB World Grand Prix will be played in Korea, Macau and Chinese Taipei from 25-27 August. After the three legs, the top five teams, plus Italy as host country, will travel to Reggio Calabria for the finals.