Seven-time World Grand Prix champion Brazil was invincible in the women's volleyball preliminaries of the Beijing Games.
The world No. 1 thrashed World Cup winner Italy 25-16, 25-22 and 25-17 at the Capital Gymnasium to finish top of pool B with five straight clean sweeps.
The overwhelming Brazilian defense spearheaded by the 1.93-meter Fabiana Claudino and the 1.90-meter Walewska Oliveira turned the match between two previously unbeaten team into a lopsided routine.
Claudino and Oliveira had five blocks apiece and Sheilla Castro added four as Brazil finished with amazing 19 blocks in the match that lasted 69 minutes.
"We did a very good job today, we played very well in blocking," said Brazil head coach Roberto Guimaraes. "We played very consistently, and now I have to think about the quarterfinals."
The Italians only managed 35 attacking points on a total of 122 attempts.
"We played a bad match in attack and in blocks. We did well only in service sometimes and in reception sometimes, but it is not enough to beat Brazil," said Italy head coach Massimo Barbolini.
Castro also led the Brazilian offense with 14 points and Paula Pequeno added 10.
Italy will join Brazil in the quarterfinals after finishing second in pool B with four wins against one loss.
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)