Lausanne, Switzerland.– Brazil, Japan, Poland, USA and Italy all sit in pole position to qualify for the Final Round of the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix ahead of the final Preliminary Round weekend which started yesterday.

With the top five teams joining hosts China in the Final Round, which will be held in Ningbo from August 25-29, defending champions and world No. 1 Brazil currently sit at the top of the standings, level on points with world No. 5 Japan and world No.11 Poland (on 15) with world No.2 China on 13 points, and 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medallists USA and World Grand Champions Cup winners Italy on 12 points.

Each team will play three matches offering a maximum of three points for a win and even one point for a defeat depending on the score line.

Additionally, sitting as outsiders are Germany and the Netherlands, who are on eight and seven points respectively, while the Dominican Republic (five points) and, Thailand and Puerto Rico (three points) ares still in with a very slim chance, albeit mathematically.