Match descriptive

China beat Italy 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-20) - duration 1:13
14-Nov, start time: 15:00, end time: 16:13 - Attendance: 3,831

Italy, certainly the underdogs in this match against China went in hard and fast, fielding captain Manuela Leggeri to reinforce the defense and after 12 points the two teams were equal. Italy held their own against the all powerful and undefeated Chinese team to level at 24-24 but there is a good reason why China is yet to lose a match.
The first set went to the Asian champions 26-24 and Italy had a task ahead of them and with the likes of Zhau Ruirui, 196cm and a wingspan like an eagle it was not surprising that China edged ahead 4-2. As usual setter Feng Kun was graceful, artful and effective as she distributed the ball to her big hitters.
Italy's Simona Goli was in no mood for early surrender and the Italians leveled at 6-all in the second set. China then took control of the net and they extended to 15-9 as the Italian nerves and their defense began to crumble. China opened a four-point lead when a spike from Yang Ho splattered the tiny Italian libero Paula Cardullo like a fly. China charged through the remaining points and put their second set on the board at 25-18.
China turned up the heat in the third set with blissful and coordinated action, punctuated with more than occasional brilliant bursts by the reigning world champions. Italy got close at 11-12 but Zhao stepped up to make Italy work harder and a deceptive flip across the net by Feng put 16-14 in front. The set was Italy's best, even if they went down 25-20