News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Home  » Sports » Brazil, Italy spikers in final

Brazil, Italy spikers in final

Last updated on: August 28, 2004 22:48 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Brazil and Italy will contest the Olympic men's volleyball gold medal match on Sunday after the two teams stormed to semi-final wins in straight sets on Friday.

World champions Brazil triumphed 25-16, 25-17, 25-23 against a U.S. team thatĀ faced booing and jeering from the crowd, but American coach Doug Beal was generous in defeat.

"They are the best team in the world and they play at a different speed to other teams," said Beal.

"The final will be a great match and I'm happy for volleyball that the two best teams will play for the gold medal. I think that's the way it should be."

Brazil are hoping to get back the Olympic gold they last won in 1992.

But Italy, who beat Russia 25-16, 25-17, 25-16 in just over an hour, are on a mission to win the one title they have yet to capture -- that of Olympic champions.

The United States will play Russia -- silver medallists in Sydney four years ago -- for the bronze on Sunday, just before the gold medal match.

In the women's event, China overcame mid-match nerves to shatter Cuba's dream of four Olympic women's volleyball golds in a row by beating them 3-2 on Thursday.

The Chinese won 25-22, 25-20, 17-25, 23-25, 15-10 to set up a gold medal showdown on Saturday with Russia, who beat Brazil earlier in another contest that went to the tie-break set.

The Russians came back from being two sets down against Brazil to to win 18-25, 21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 16-14.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25