Ningbo, China, August 22, 2010 – Two-time defending champions and Preliminary Round winners Brazil will take on Japan on the opening day of the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round after the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) confirmed the timing of matches for the forthcoming finale, which runs from Wednesday until Sunday in Ningbo, China. Other matches on the first day see hosts China take on Italy while USA will play Poland.

Official 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix page

Brazil’s match against Japan is a repeat of the first round encounter in Brazil which the eight-time champions won convincingly 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-20) while USA and Poland also feature in a repeat of an opening weekend clash with Poland taking the honours in Poland 3-1 (16-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-23).

The match many see as the key to which will determine the 2010 World Grand Prix winner will take place on Saturday with Brazil taking on form horse Italy, who have won their previous two encounters against the world No. 1, including a 3-1 (25-22, 25-21. 18-25, 25-19) victory in week one in Brazil. 

2010 World Grand Prix Final Round schedule (all times local times)

Day 1 (Aug 25)
Match 1: 13:00 USA - POL
Match 2: 15:30 BRA - JPN
Match 3: 19:30 CHN - ITA
 
Day 2 (Aug 26)
Match 4: 13:00 USA - ITA
Match 5: 15:30 POL - BRA
Match 6: 19:30 CHN - JPN
 
Day 3 (Aug 27)
Match 7: 13:00 JPN - ITA
Match 8: 15:30 BRA - USA
Match 9: 19:30 CHN - POL
 
Day 4 (Aug 28)
Match 10: 13:00 POL - JPN
Match 11: 15:30 BRA - ITA
Match 12: 19:30 CHN - USA
 
Day 5 (Aug 29)
Match 13: 13:00 JPN - USA
Match 14: 15:30 ITA - POL
Match 15: 19:30 CHN - BRA

The 2010 World Grand Prix Preliminary Round finished on Sunday with Brazil claiming the honours on 24 points with only one defeat (to Italy) from nine matches, while USA and Poland both finished with seven victories and two defeats and Japan, Italy and China recorded six wins and three defeats. The best five teams joined hosts China in the Final Round.

Preliminary Round Standings