China lost to Hosts Italy 85-80 in their opening game of the Four-Nation Tournament in Osimo yesterday. 

Ex NBA player Wang Zhizhi tallied a team-high 26 points for China. Du Feng nailed 16 points and Zhu Fangyu poured in 10 points.

Italy controlled the pace of the match with their sharp three-pointers, leading 12-10, 37-28, 58-49 after the first, second and third period while China outrebounded Italy 36-23.

Houston Rocket center Ming Yao didn't go with the Chinese team. He returned China on Wednesday, still healing an injury.

In another game played yesterday, France downed Venezuela 77-62.

China will have a clash on Tuesday with France.

(China.org.cn June 26, 2006)