Universiade: Italy wins men's football title, host S. Korea tops medal table

Italy beat 10-man South Korea 3-0 to lift the soccer title of Universiade on Monday.

South Korea went down a man just six minutes into the match and Italy scored two first-half goals en route to turn out an easy victory in gold medal match.

South Korea was trying to win its first Universiade gold in men's soccer since 1991, but they never really threatened thye Italian goal as most of their shots went off target.

In the bronze medal match, Japan beat Brazil 7-6 on penalty shootout as neither side could find the goal in regular time.

The United States won the women's basketball title after beating Canada 82-63. The men's basketball gold was also taken by the United States who was forced to play two overtimes before winning over Germany 84-77.

The two table tennis golds were split by China and Japan as Chen Xiaoxi beat her Chinese compatriot Jiang Yue 4-1 for the women's singles title while Masataka Morizono turned out a 4-1 winner in the all-Japanese men's singles final.

China's other gold medal of the day came from taekwondo when it won the Women's Team Kyorugi title. The men's Team Kyorugi gold was taken by South Korea.

In six rhythmic gymnastics finals on Monday, Ukraine and South Korea each won two golds while Russia and Belarus took one apiece.

Australia won its fourth gold medal at the Universiade when its women's water polo team beat Canada 6-3 for the title.

Portugal finally won a gold medal at Gwangju Universiade thanks to its men's handball team who beat Serbia 25-21. The women's handball title was won by Russia, a 38-36 winner over South Korea in the final.

The last final of the 272-event Universiade, the men's water polo final, will be held on Tuesday afternoon. The closing ceremony will be held on Tuesday evening.

South Korea has virtually won the top position of the medal table with 47 gold, 32 silver and 29 bronze medals. Russia is distant second with 34-39-49. China ranks third at 34-22-16. Endi