In the third set, Zhang led China to a five-point lead at the second technical time-out (16-11). Karyagin scored five points with killing pipes but it turned out to be short to stop China from winning the set 25-23.

With a dream start in the fourth set, China controlled the game after Peng Shikun delivered two consecutive aces and Yu Yuantai's monster block took it to 5-0. China won the set 25-17 through a successful spike by Yu.

Zhang was China's most prolific player of the game with 18 points. Denis contributed 15 for Bulgaria.