• Submitted by: admin
• Sports
• 11 / 26 / 2006

Alberto Cisolla spiked for 18 points to lead the Italians to a 25-20, 25-15, 23-25, 25-15 win over Cuba.

Italy, which improved to 4-1, will face defending champions Brazil on Tuesday. Cuba dropped to 0-5.

"Cuba put a lot of pressure on us during the final points," said Italian captain Samuele Papi. "But this was a good finish for us and we are happy with the result. Now we have an even bigger challenge in our next match against Brazil, and this will be a very important game for us."

Brazil, meanwhile, also improved to 4-1 in Group F with a 25-22, 25-20, 26-24 victory over the Czech Republic.

Gilberto Godoy led the way for the Olympic champions with 12 points.

Bulgaria scored a 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18 win over Germany to remain unbeaten at 5-0 in the second round. Germany fell to 2-3.

France was taken to five sets but prevailed in a 17-25, 25-12, 24-26, 25-17, 15-11 win over the United States to improve to 4-1. The Americans fell to 1-4.

In Group E, Poland coasted to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-17 win over Canada to stay unbeaten at 5-0 and top of the group with Serbia and Montenegro.

Poland got 18 points from Mariusz Wlazly and 14 from Michal Winiarski en route to the straight sets win over the Canadians, who dropped to 1-4.

Serbia-Montenegro kept pace with Poland after a 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-17 win over Argentina.

Host Japan rallied from a two-set deficit to edge Tunisia 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-6 to improve to 4-1. Russia coasted to a 25-20, 25-16, 25-15 win over Puerto Rico and has a 4-1 record.