Italy beats Russia in volleyball final

Italy won the European volleyball championship Sunday, beating Russia 25-22, 14-25, 15-25, 25-19, 15-10 in the final to win its second straight continental title and sixth overall.

Russia, a 12-time European champion, was the only team to beat Italy in the qualifying at Rome's sports palace. Serbia-Montenegro, which had lost to Italy on Saturday in the semifinals, won the bronze medal by defeating Spain 25-18, 25-21, 25-22, AP reports.