The United States ended defending champions Italy's match-winning streak on Thursday as the two teams secured their top three places to qualify for the London Olympics next year. The Americans pulled off a 25-23, 25-15, 22-25, 25-21 victory for a 9-1 win-loss record to tie with the Italians, but they have 26 points against Italy's 25 points in the 12-team round robin competition.
The top three teams in the final standings will qualify for the Olympics. The winning team receive three points from 3-0 and 3-1 wins, two from a 3-2 win, while the losing team receive one point from a 2-3 defeat. Earlier in the day, Athens Olympic gold medallists China whipped winless Kenya 25-7, 25-15, 25-10 to keep third place on 23 points with a 7-3 record.
Japan edged past Germany 25-20, 23-25, 25-27, 25-17, 15-12 for 21 points to keep alive a slim hope of finishing third. Germany, who have 20 points, will play China on the final day Friday. Beijing Olympic champions Brazil outgunned Algeria 25-18, 25-8, 25-13 for 18 points, while the Dominican Republic defeated South Korea 25-19, 25-17, 26-28, 21-25, 15-12 for 12 points. Serbia defeated Argentina 25-15, 25-18, 25-23.
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