The women's World Grand Prix finals start today with a heavyweight bout which could well decide the destiny of the title. China against Cuba looks more like an Olympic final, but on this occasion it will be just the first match of the six-team, 15-game spike-fest. The Netherlands, defending World Grand Prix champions Brazil, Italy and Japan complete the line-up, and such is the level of anticipation that all five days at the 8,500-capacity Sendai City Gymnasium are sold out. Although China are still smarting from their 3-0 defeat by Italy in Hong Kong on Sunday, no one has written them off here. Least of all Jose Guimaraes, head coach of Brazil. 'China and Cuba are the strongest teams here,' he admitted, after yesterday's practice. 'Both teams have a lot of players from the Athens Olympics and this is the biggest difference. We have just one, so they have more experience at this level. It's going to be difficult for us because we have a young team.' China will be able to exact a swift revenge on Italy when the two teams meet tomorrow. China's head coach, Chen Zhonghe, hopes his players have learned from their mistakes in Hong Kong. 'Our serve reception and our blocking were not good enough to cope with the effective serving and attacking of the Italian team,' Chen said. 'Since then we have been working hard on our blocking and on our defence during training. Our attacking is fine,' he said, with a smile. Chen feels the tough World Grand Prix schedule, featuring three games on consecutive weekends, is taking its toll on his Olympic champions. 'We are not in the best condition physically,' he said. 'We have been working hard for three weeks and the team is a little bit tired. I think any one of the six teams could win here, but I feel Cuba, Italy and Brazil are the biggest dangers.' China whipped Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the Athens Olympics, but this new-look Japan 12 includes includes only four survivors. Friday is a rest day, and the action continues Saturday through Monday and the day when probably China or Cuba will be crowned Grand Prix champions.