Brazil too strong for defending women’s Olympic volleyball champs

August 22, 2008

Brazil has eliminated China from the women’s volleyball competition in the Beijing Olympics after they won the second semifinal 3-0. They now advance to the final against the USA who had earlier defeated Cuba also 3-0.

The first two sets could have gone either way however the Brazilians blocked better or hit better when it mattered. The home team with the large crowd urging them on started well and established an early 5-1 lead.

Brazil worked their way back into the set with many good blocks and stong spiking. The Chinese edged ahead at 16-14 only to see Brazil come back to lead 21-19. China levelled the scores and then twice served for the set. On one occasion they served a fault. China then handed the set to Brazil thanks to crucial errors. The first set was 27-25.

In the second set it was Brazil who had the early lead as they went up 6-3. The match went backwards and forwards until both teams were locked at 20-20. Here the Chinese seemed to lose their way making a string or errors included a shanked dig and hitting errors. Brazil won the second set 25-22.

In the third set Brazil could see the final was in reach and they played over the top of China. From 14-10 up for Brazil the match was quickly closed out and the south americans ran out winners 25-14.

That made the final score 27-25, 25-22, 25-14. Brazil’s height at the net and blocking prowess was too much for China to handle. At one stage China could do nothing but run quick balls behind. Anytime they tried to go with a high ball to the far post the Brazilians put up an unbeatable block.

Brazil are now into their first Olympic final where they meet the USA who will also be playing for their first gold medal in women’s Olympic volleyball competition.

Written by rob · Filed Under volleyball beijing olympics 

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