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Bronze medal restores confidence of China´s women volleyballers

Source: Xinhua | 08-23-2008 15:18

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Just as their favorite song - "Sunshine Comes after Rainstorm" - goes, a smiling Chinese team rallied to remedy their semifinal loss with a consoling bronze medal at the Olympic women's volleyball on Saturday.

Players of China celebrate their victory over Cuba after Women's Bronze Medal Match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games volleyball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. China beat Cuba 3-1 and grabbed the bronze. (Xinhua Photo)
Players of China celebrate their victory over Cuba after Women's 
Bronze Medal Match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games volleyball event 
in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. China beat Cuba 3-1 and 
grabbed the bronze. (Xinhua Photo)

The three-time Olympic champion Cuba finished their Beijing journey with a disappointing fourth place.

Inspired by the deafening cheers of more than 14,000 Chinese fans, the host beat Cuba 25-16, 21-25, 25-13 and 25-20 in the pride-saving match.

"They were so hopeless that I believed they gave up at the third set," said a home fan Yi Sheng, referring to the disappointing performances of the Chinese women in the semifinal against Brazil on Thursday. The defending champion lost surprisingly in straight sets and they only took 14 points in the third set.

"But today, I saw perseverance on them again, the most valuable quality which I think helped them win the Athens gold and will help to overcome the adversities to be stronger in the future, " the 28-year-old sales manager from a Beijing-based oil company told Xinhua after the match.

"In this aspect, the bronze medal means much more than the gold medal," he said.