BEIJING - An Italian team that won the 2007 World Cup title
and had only dropped one set in its four victories in Beijing
was upset by the US , in the quarter finals and eliminated Italy from
Medal play, and makes it have to settle for fifth place.
Trailing 2-1 - the USA women's volleyball team dug
down and then deeper in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
With the familiar "U-S-A, U-S-A" chant ringing in their ears, the
Americans rallied behind the emotional lift and stabilizing presence provided
by setter Lindsey Berg to defeat Italy 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, 15-6 to
advance to the medal round against Cuba.
Italy Edges Canada
in Men's Water Polo
CBC Sports
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Italy, out of Medals
contention is now merely playing for pride, as they move on to play Australia
for seventh place in the Olympic tournament, after beating Canada 13-11 on
Wednesday.
Italy jumped out to an early 4-1 lead after the opening
quarter, but Canada
clawed back with a strong second quarter to trail 6-4.
The teams traded goals for the
remaining two quarters, but Italian goalie Stefano Tempesti
stood tall against the determined Canadians.