China's Wang Mengjie, Yao Di and Zhu Ting proved popular with China's fans when they arrived at Macao airport
Lausanne, Switzerland, July 11, 2017 – China and USA have been given a warm welcome on their arrival in Macao, where they will play their second round of matches in the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix.
The teams met in the first weekend in Kunshan where the USA won 3-0 in the final match of the round after both teams had already defeated Italy and Russia.
This week China and the USA will again face Italy, as well as Turkey, at the Macao Forum from July 14-16.
China and the USA will again play the final match of the weekend, having earlier played Italy and Turkey.
Pool E1 Fixtures (all times local)
Friday, July 14: 16.00 Turkey v USA, 20.00 China v Italy
Saturday, July 15: 14.30 Italy v USA, 17.00 China v Turkey
Sunday, July 16: 13.00 Italy v Turkey, 15.30 China v USA.
Members of the local organising committee were on hand to welcome both teams at the Macao International Airport.
China were led by team manager Lai Yawen and head coach An Jiajie, and star players Zhu Ting, Liu Xiaotong, Li Jing, Yao Di, Gong Xiangyu and Ding Xia proved popular with the crowds that greeted them.
For the USA their arrival in Macao brings back happy memories of when they won the 2011 World Grand Prix title in the city. It was the second of the three straight titles that they won and came with victory over Brazil in the final.