AS expected, women's volleyball powerhouse nations USA and Brazil set up the World Grand Prix title showdown at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium today.
Yesterday's semi-finals were easy straight-set affairs for the two giants as Brazil tamed the Netherlands 25-18, 25-16, 25-23 while the USA hammered Russia 25-20, 25-23, 25-14.
World No.1 and defending champions USA are seeking their seventh WGP title.
In the first semi-final, 10-time winners Brazil enjoyed their 11th victory over the Netherlands in 12 meetings. The only victory for the Dutch women came in 2007, the year they captured the WGP crown.
Brazil, with an eye on winning the gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games on home soil next month, are now just one win away from claiming their 11th title in the 24-year history of the World Grand Prix.
For the Netherlands, they still have a chance to take home a medal when they fight Russia for the bronze today.
Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes was proud of his team who, he said, played really well in the first two sets.
He said: "This is a very important win because we got into the final and it would be a good preparation for the Olympic Games.
"The World Grand Prix tournament has been a very important instrument for us to prepare for the Rio Games."
Guimaraes added: "We made a lot of mistakes on reception in the beginning of the third set."
Netherlands coach Giovanni Guidetti: "We know Brazil are one of the best teams in the world.
"We started the match in the way we didn't want to.
"That is because each one of us was too worried about the injury to the team captain. In her absence, we had trouble with the reception.
"In the third set, we did a little better than the first two sets. We are looking forward to our [third-place] match tomorrow."
Netherlands blocker Robin De Krujif said that Brazil did a great job.
"We tried our best but it was tough to play against them. In the first two sets, Brazil put pressure on us with good services," she said.
"We haven't played them for a long time, so it's a good experience for us to play against them."
Kiattipong's last match
Coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai will bid farewell to the national side when Thailand face China in the fifth-place play-off today.
The 49-year-old from Nakhon Ratchasima will depart for China to coach a club and stay with his wife Feng Kun, a former China national team player.
"Definitely, we want to win [against China]," said Kiattipong.
It is a good chance for Thailand to beat China, who are using a second-string side for this tournament.
Both Thailand and China suffered two defeats in the group stage.
Although Thailand lost 3-0 to both Brazil and Russia in the group stage, Kiattipong said the young Thai players had the opportunities to learn something from the two volleyball powerhouses.
Kiattipong is one of the most successful coaches in Thailand's sporting history.
He has led Thailand to beat some of the world's top sides including China, Japan, Cuba and Italy.
Under Kiattipong, Thailand won the Asian title twice as well as several other crowns.
It will also be veteran star Wanna Buakaew's last match for Thailand.
"Volleyball is in my blood," she said on her Instagram.
"It is a 16-year journey with Thailand. I am very proud of myself. Thank all involved parties including the association, coaches and especially the fans.
"It will be the last time I wear a Thai national team shirt. Come and support us."