Former European champions Poland clinched the last ticket to the finals when they defeated Kazakhstan in the World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament on Sunday.
With a 25-27, 25-20, 25-23, 25-15 win, Poland will join defending champions Brazil, world champions Russia, Italy, the Netherlands and China in the finals to be played in the Chinese city of Ningbo from August 22 to 26. Twelve teams took part in the three qualifying rounds, with the top five teams as well as hosts China reaching the finals.
Poland now has an unbeatable 6-3 win-loss record against the bottom six teams. Kazakhstan's first Grand Prix debut ended with a 1-8 record. In the second match of the day, Russia rallied from one set down to beat Japan 21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-19. Russia ended the preliminary round with a 7-2 record and Japan 4-5.
"We are very happy to qualify for the Grand Prix final six teams for the first time. We are very tired, but we will still continue to play strongly," said Poland's coach Marco Bonitta. Since they first participated in 2004, Poland has finished eighth, seventh and 12th in the championship.
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