November 4, Nagoya: Defending champions Italy fought back to emerge victorious from their heavyweight clash with Cuba in Pool D.
The Cubans, coming into the match on the back of a 53-minute demolition of Egypt, won the first set of a fierce encounter 27-25, after fending off three Italian set points.
But the title holders have been steadily building momentum since their shock opening day loss to Serbia and Montenegro, and recovered to take the remaining sets 25-19, 25-21, 25-19.
The match had been widely expected to be the group decider before the tournament began.
But Cuba had also fallen prey to the Balkan dark horses earlier in the week, and neither they nor Italy could afford to lose again.
With points garnered from the first round carrying over into the next stage, defeat would deal a heavy blow to the title ambitions of two serious contenders.
Cuba looked in the mood right from the off, and captain Yumilka Ruiz launched herself at a ball on the left to give Cuba the early advantage going into the first TTO.
Daimi Ramirez showed that the break had not dampened the Cubans' enthusiasm, sending a thunderbolt of her own down the centre of the court.
Coach Felipe Calderon made sure there was no let up as he barked instruction from the touchline, but Italy fought back, with Francesca Piccinini scoring a service ace as Italy got their noses in front at 12-10.
The bullets were flying from all directions, with captain Simona Rinieri-Dennis and Rosir Calderon behind the best attacks.
But a defensive mix-up in the Cuban defence allowed the Italians to reach double figures at 20-19, with coach Calderon calling a time-out to halt the champions' momentum.
Piccinini then notched another point from service, before Rinieri-Dennis gave the Italians the first opportunity to draw blood at set point.
But Cuba had other ideas, as Ruiz and substitute Liana Mesa produced huge spikes to draw level at 24-24.
Captain Ruiz then saved another Italian set point, before a Yenisei Gonzalez block turned the tables and put Cuba on the brink of a one-set lead.
Ruiz led by example, hurling herself at an Italian attack at the net to secure the winner.
A long service from Italy put the champions further on the back foot as Cuba led at the first TTO of the second set, but Piccinini scored yet another ace to edge ahead at 9-8.
Piccinini showed she could score from more than just the service line, however, as she arrowed in a series of drives from the left flank.
The Cubans were keeping pace, but the stalemate was broken when the champions established a 20-15 lead as they looked to settle the score.
A flurry of substitutions followed, one of which, Kenia Carcases, blocked at the net as the Cubans reduced the deficit.
But when an Eleonora Lo Bianco serve could not be returned, Italy had set point.
A technical infringement at the net by captain Ruiz denied her side the chance to fight back, and the champions were back on terms.
The Cubans looked like they had not recovered at the start of the third set, as Italy won a series of scrappy points before Cuba regrouped with a time-out.
It looked a wise call by Calderon, as his side immediately forced their way back into contention through Mesa.
But Italy were gradually taking control of the set, with Rinieri-Dennis and Martina Guiggi pounding the Cubans at the net.
Lo Bianco was orchestrating the play from all over the court, and libero Paola Cardullo was dealing with the Cuban attacks.
Coach Massimo Barbolini marshalled his troops for the final push with a time-out, but their return was greeted with a Nancy Carrillo missile spike.
But Carrillo could not find her target with a service soon after, giving Italy set point.
Ruiz replied with another left-wing smash, but Piccinini tried again with a drive of her own that could only be batted into the net by the Cuban defence.
Carrillo and Calderon were both finding the target with winning shots at the start of the fourth set, but Italy were doing just enough to stay in front.
Their doggedness gave them an 8-6 lead at the first TTO, which soon became 11-8 with another point from Rinieri-Dennis.
Yaima Ortiz had replaced Calderon as the main threat down the Cuban left wing, but Piccinini again proved she was just as capable for the Italians.
Guiggi brought Italy closer at 23-18, before a Rinieri-Dennis shot gave the champions match point.
Ruiz again prevented a quick resolution, but Piccinini fired in the winner immediately after to continue the Italians' rehabilitation in the competition, and sound a warning to those who would take their crown.
