Dan Palmer Friday, 20 July 2018
Defending women’s champions China were beaten in the semi-finals as the World Sitting Volleyball Championships continued in The Netherlands today.
They were beaten in straight sets by Russia, who reached the final for the first time in their history at the Luxor Theater in Rotterdam.
Russia came through 25-23, 25-19, 25-19 to book their place in tomorrow’s final.
They will now play reigning Paralympic champions United States for gold after the Americans proved too strong for Italy in their last four encounter.
It was another straight sets affair as the US, the Rio 2016 winners, breezed through 25-8, 25-11, 25-6.
The final line-up means there will be a new name on the women’s trophy.
China had won the last two editions in 2010 and 2014 and The Netherlands the first four tournaments held before that.
The Chinese will now play the Italians for bronze tomorrow, when the men’s tournament will also resume after the semi-finalists used today to travel from Eindhoven to The Hague where their last four games will be contested.
Paralympic champions Iran will play Ukraine while defending world champions Bosnia and Herzegovina have a meeting with Brazil.