Players of Beijing celebrate during the opener volleyball match of Chinese men's Volleyball Super League Finals between Beijing and Shanghai in Baoding, north China's Hebei province, Jan 4, 2023. (PHOTO FROM SINA WEIBO ACCOUNT OF CHINESE'S VOLLEYBALL SUPER LEAGUE)

BAODING, China - Defending champion Beijing overcame Shanghai 25-23, 16-25, 28-26, 26-24 here on Wednesday for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Finals of the Chinese men's Volleyball Super League.

Spiker Thomas John Jaeschke had 25 points for Beijing. Giulio Sabbi led Shanghai with 19 points.

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The second match of the finals will be staged on Thursday.

Also on Wednesday, Zhejiang downed Shandong 25-13, 15-25, 29-27 and 25-14 for a 2-0 win in the best-of-three to finish third.

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In the women's league, Shandong beat Beijing 25-13, 28-26, 25-14 in the semifinal held in Shangrao, Jiangxi province.