The Italian women's volleyball team landed in Beijing on Saturday afternoon, beginning their contest for a semifinal berth of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Massimo Barbolini, head coach of the Italian team, said that they had a good preparation and confident to achieve a satisfactory result in the women's volleyball tournament, in which defending champion China and world No. 1 Brazil are favored to win the gold medal.

"We are good, every player is in good condition. We had good work and preparation before the Olympics. I think we are ready to play," said Barbolini.

Italy was defeated by Cuba in the quarterfinals of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Now, as the world No. 2 and 2007 World Cup winners, Barbolini said Italy would try for a final four berth.

"We try to reach the final four in the Olympic Games," said Barbolini, "It is very difficult to play in Olympics. China of course will be a favorite. To enter the final four will be very difficult, but we'll try."

The Italian women's team is in Group B in the Beijing Olympics, the group also includes Brazil, Russia, Serbia, Kazakhstan and Algeria.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2008)