Brazil sweeps Italy in battle of top teams

(BEIJING, July 10) -- Brazil proved why they are ranked No. 1 in the world after crushing the No. 2 Italians 25-20, 25-17-25-23 on the second day of the final round of the FIVB World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama, Japan. The win keeps the Brazilians, who are six-time champions at the Grand Prix, undefeated in the final round. Italy is now 1-1.

Brazil, Italy and China finished the preliminary round at the top of the standings with the same 8-1 win-loss record but after two days of final round play, Brazil has shown why they are the favorites heading to the Olympics. The South Americans have yet to drop a set in the final round.

"Of course I am very happy with my team," said Brazilian head coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes after the match. "We played very well today, but I do not forget that Italy is not complete. They missed two important players, so it is not the complete team of Italy."

On Friday, Brazil faces China, who lost to Italy on Wednesday and Cuba on Thursday, while Italy will take on the hosts, who are also 0-2 in the final round. The Grand Prix concludes on Sunday, July 13.