MONTREUX, Switzerland.- Italy pulled off a 3-1 victory over USA during the Montreux Volley Masters on Thursday. The World Champion won the replay of the final of the 2002 World Championships and remains undefeated in the world's premiere international friendly tournament for women's volleyball. The score was 22-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-23.

In other Thursday action here, China defeated Cuba (3-0) and Japan was just stronger than Poland (3-2)

Italy had some starting problems against World Championship silver medalist USA. The American squad took the first set in this Pool B clash, watched by more than 2,500 fans here in Montreux. When the 'Squadra Azzurra' leveled the match, the Italians took over the momentum. Italy only faced some problems at the end of the fourth set, when USA saved four match points. It was the
Italian star Francesca Piccinini who scored the final point for Italy.

The win over USA was the second victory for Italy, but the World Champion is still not sure of playing in the semifinal stage of the event here in Switzerland.
 

China proved to be one of the main candidates for Olympic Gold later this summer after blowing three times Olympic Champion Cuba off the court by score of 25-23, 25-27, 25-23.

The Caribbeans had a slight chance in both the first and third set, but the Asians played simply too strong at the decisive moments.