The United States upset defending champion Brazil 3-1 to win the gold medal of Olympic men's volleyball in 20 years on Sunday.
It's the third gold for the American men volleyballers, who also won the championship at the 1984 and 1988 Games.
Together with one silver in women's event and two gold medals in beach volleyball, the once volleyball empire announced its revival in Beijing in an almost-perfect way.
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Players of the United States celebrate after men's volleyball gold medal match against Brazil at the Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 24, 2008. The United States beat Brazil 3-1 and won the gold.[Xinhua Photo] |
The Brazilian fans, though may be disappointed with the silver in this highly-expected event, should somehow get comfort from their superior women compatriots, who won their first-ever gold in another U.S.-Brazil final just one day ago.
The newly-crowned World League champion U.S. proved their quality with a 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 victory in this game of strength and delicacy, skill and bluff, and individual energy and teamwork.
Brazil dominated the opener with powerful serves and unyielding defense, thanks to the stunning Andre Heller and Captain Gilberto Godoy Filho, or better known "Giba". The Americans could barely organize effective counterattacks for their poor reception, surrendering the set 25-20.
The U.S. wing spiker Clayton Stanley came for rescue at the second set with devastating serves and high-jump spikes. Staying within an early lead 8-1, David Lee and William Priddy launched a brilliant wave of attacks to the Brazilian court to level up to 20-15.
Giba's ace serves and spikes helped Brazil to catch up as close as 21-20. But it's Stanley again, who scored two points in a row to take the set point 24-21. Andre Nascimento saved one set point with an ace serve, but Stanley clinched the set for the U.S. 25-22 with a spike.
The Americans kept their winning momentum with even better defense to take the third set 25-21.
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Ryan Millar of the United States spikes the ball during men's volleyball gold medal match against Brazil at the Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 24, 2008. The United States beat Brazil 3-1 and won the gold.[Xinhua Photo] |
The two sides fought closely in the fourth set before a 20-20 draw, when Stanley broke the tie and helped the Americans lead 23-21 with two kill blocks. Ryan Millar's spike added one point to push the Brazillian to bay 24-22.
Andre Nascimento saved one match point with spike, but Stanley grasped the victory for the U.S. 25-23 with a spike.
Stanley, best scorer and best server of the tournament, led all play in the final with 20 points, while Dante Amaral contributed 15 points to Brazil.
Earlier in the morning, Russia won the bronze medal after trouncing Italy 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23.
(Xinhua News Agency August 24,2008)