TOKYO, 29 November 2003 — Three-time former world champions Italy defeated the United States as they posted their eighth win against one loss in the World Cup men’s volleyball tournament yesterday.

With a 25-12, 29-27, 25-22 win, the Italians kept themselves in a better position than the Americans to win one of three tickets for the Athens Olympic Games next year.

The Americans have now a 7-2 win-loss record behind frontrunners Brazil and Serbia and Montenegro in the 12-team round robin.

“We won not because of our style but of our tactics,” said Italian coach Gianpaolo Montali. “I know the setter (Lloy Ball) of the US team very well, because he plays in Italy ... we studied how he sets up the ball to the spikers and the course of their spikes.”

But Montali soon steadied himself, saying: “We don’t think anything about the Olympic Games or our position until the end of the tournament. We just think about the ball after ball, day by day and match by match.” Ball, the US captain, said the loss was disappointing.

“Obviously we put ourselves in a very difficult position, losing today, losing badly ... this isn’t exactly a paradise situation.”

The United States is set to play Brazil today.

“But I know our team would do our best, forget about this loss today, prepare for a tough match tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow we can play more consistent against the team who play very fast,” he said.

In other matches, Giovane Gavio scored 20 points as Brazil outgunned 2002 Sydney Olympic champions Serbia and Montenegro 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21.

With the win, Brazil stays at a flawless 9-0, while Serbia and Montenegro is 8-1.

Elsewhere, Canada swept Tunisia 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 to improve to 3-6 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Tunisia is 1-8. Venezuela downed China in four sets — 23-25, 25-22, 28-26, 25-20 to pick up its third win in the round-robin tournament. China fell to 1-8.

In late games, France improved to 6-3 after beating host Japan 25-23, 25-18, 25-21. Japan’s record fell to 3-6. Egypt scored its first victory by defeating South Korea in a grueling five sets — 25-20, 21-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-11. South Korea is 4-5.

The top three teams earn berths at the Athens Games.