Monique Marinho Pavao (C) and Juciely Cristina Barreto (R) (credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Italy vs. Brazil takes place tonight at the 2015 FIVB World League.
The game is scheduled to start at 21:00 BST.
Preview:
Having failed in its bid for a third-straight Grand Prix title, Brazil is now looking forward to taking home a medal of a different color in the prestigious tournament.
Brazil and Italy wrap up their campaign in the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round in Omaha tonight.
The two squads are in a tight race with China and Russia for a place in the podium. All four teams have 2-2 records but the Chinese have seven points, one ahead of the Brazilians and Russians while the Italians have four points.
The United States have already secured the title, leaving only the silver and bronze medals up for grabs.
The Brazilians kissed their three-peat hopes goodbye after being swept by the United States 16-25 22-25 21-25 yesterday. Monique Marinho Pavao was the lone Brazilian to hit double figures with 12 points so Ana Carolina Da Silva, Juciely Cristina Barreto and Gabriela Braga Guimaraes must increase their production to boost their medal hopes. The last time Brazil failed to win a medal in this competition was in 2007.
Italy, meanwhile, is coming off a thrilling 20–25 25–20 28–30 26–24 24–22 win over Japan to keep its medal hopes alive. Seven Italian players scored in double figures with Indre Sorokaite and Miriam Fatime Sylla leading the way with 17 points apiece. Italy needs to beat Brazil in three or four sets and hope that China and Russia lose their last assignments to secure a spot on the podium.
