China
Aussies, powered by the 200cm-tall Smith Luke, came whisker of winning the first set when they took the commanding 24-21 lead. However, China, fielding Cui Jianjun, who won the Best Server and the Best Spiker Awards in respective 2008 and 2010 editions, took the inexperience rivals to school with their excellent teamwork, coming from behind to win the exciting set 27-25.
Australia started nervously in the second set. Although they tried to regain their form, their determination was in vain. China continued their attacks including thundering spikes from Wang Chen and Zhong Weijun and efficient blocks by Liang Chunlong and Geng Xin for the comfortable 25-15 win in the set.
Going down in straight two sets, Australia gave it all-out in their last hurrah , with Smith Luke turning a smashing machine to attack fiercely from every corner. However, China proved an impossible nut to crack for the spirited Aussies. The Chinese took the set 25-22 and the match.
Wang Chen emerged as the top scorer of China after bagging 20 points including 17 kills, while Smith Luke collected 18 points for Australia, 15 of them attack kills and 2 blocks.
