Roundup: China meets Brazil, Cuba takes on US in Olympic women´s volleyball semis

Source: Xinhua | 08-20-2008 10:20

BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Host China will meet Brazil in the semifinals of the Olympic women's volleyball event, but the teams followed different path in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Players of China celebrate their victory over Russia during their  Women's Quarterfinals match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games volleyball  event in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. China beat Russia 3-0.(Xinhua Photo)

The Chinese girls, who claimed the gold medal in an epic final against Russia in the Athens Games four years ago, edged out the same opponents 25-22, 27-25, 25-19 in the one hour and 24 minutes thriller.

In an earlier quarterfinal, world number one team Brazil was hardly tested before blitzing Japan 25-12, 25-20, 25-16 in just 67 minutes.

The team, labeled as the heaviest favorite for the gold medal, has now compiled a 6-0 clean sheet since the preliminaries and did not even drop one single set.

"It will be a very difficult match against Russia or China but our team is confident because of the way we have been playing," said Brazilian winger Sheilla Castro, the best scorer of the team.

Cuba also pulled off a solid game to beat Serbia 26-24, 25-19, 26-24, and will in the other semifinal take on the United States, who survived a five-set thriller to beat World Cup winner Italy.

The United States twice rallied from one set down to force a tie-breaker, which they won at 15-6.

"I felt very happy with the result, they can always bring me surprise. I am so proud of them," American head coach Lang Ping, a former Chinese player, said after the match.

Cuba, former world champions and Athens bronze medalists, met serious challenge from the Serbian girls in the beginning of the match. The opening set was close as either of the teams could pull away until the set was levelled at 24-all.

Cuban spiker Yumilka Ruiz hit an excellent smash and then an error from Serbia gave Cuba the first set.

It was in the second set that the Cuban girls, who won three straight Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, have started to take control over the match.

Megumi Kurihara of Japan spikes the ball during Women's Quanterfinals Match 34 between Brazil and Japan of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at  Capital Gymnasium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Brazil beat Japan  3-0.(Xinhua Photo)