HAARLEM, the Netherlands - Japan defended the title at the World Championship Softball after beating nine- time world champions United States 4-1 on Sunday in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

The reigning champions, who were victorious in all their previous nine matches in Haarlem as well, also became world champions in 2012 in Whitehorse, Canada, and in 1970 in Osaka, Japan.

Earlier on Sunday the United States defeated Australia 8-1 in the semifinals. Australia had to settle for a bronze medal. The medal distribution was exactly the same as at the WC two years ago.

Canada finished fourth, Chinese Taipei fifth, hosts the Netherlands sixth, China seventh and New Zealand eighth.