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(Xinhua photo/Yang Zongyou)
ATHENS, Aug. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- China embraced its
first volleyball Olympic title in 20 years after beating Russia 3-2 in the
women's final on Saturday.
After trailing two sets down, China came from behind
to trounce Russia 28-30, 25-27, 25-20,25-23 and 15-12 to claim the title.
(Xinhua photo/Yang Zongyou)
The Chinese players dived to the floor to celebrate
the well-deserved victory after Zhang Yuehong smashed home the match winner.
The last time they won a Olympic title was 20 years
ago at the 1984 Los Angles Olympics.
The final is set to be a fantastic showdown for the
two teams as both teams displayed terrific form before entering the final.
(Xinhua photo/Yang Zongyou)
Russia, a power house in the sport, turned the table
in their semi-final match against Brazil when they were two sets down to their
rivals before taking the final spot at 3-2.
But on Saturday night, it was China that played the
role to turn the table.
Zhang Ping led the Chinese team with 25 points, while
Yang Hao added 21. Zhou Suhong and Zhang Yuehong had 15 apiece.
The China got off to the better start, opening a 8-5
lead with Zhang Ping particularly effective on attack. Feng Kun and Liu Yanan
also combined superbly for the China with two successful blocks.
But Ekaterina Gamova's three consecutive points
helped Russia catch up to 18-18. After tied at 24-24, both teams beat off four
set-points and it was Gamova, who had 9 points in the set, again spiked home the
final point of the set for Russia.
Gamova had a total of 33 points during the two hours
and seven minutes match.
The fans were treated to a frenetic pace in the
second set withsome beautiful blocking from setter Feng Kun and powerful
attacking from backcourt of Zhang Ping giving China a slight advantage 10-8.
Russia replayed the scenario again at 15-17 as they
made a 6-2 run, Gamova scored three points in a row to make it 22-20.
Chinese head coach Chen Zhonghe then made a inspired
substitution, introducing wing-striker Zhang Yuehong into the court but only saw
Russia charge home to claim the set
Two blocks from Irina Tebenikhina and Lioubov
Shashkova led Russia to a 26-25 advantage and an attacking error from China gave
Russia the second set at 27-25.
Shashkova contributed 23 points while Tebenikhina had
14.
(Xinhua photo/Yang Zongyou)
The Chinese team, who found themselves in a do-or-die
situation,came out in the third set and quickly opened a 8-5 lead. Coach Chen
was a lot more animated during his team talks and this had animmediate effect
with Chen starting to find his attackers regularly, particularly Zhang Yuehong,
who scored three points in a row to maintain the slight lead 17-14 for China.
China's defence was also improved with Zhang Ping's blocks and libero Zhang Na
whomade some impressive diving saves.
With Zhang Ping's ace, China finally took one set
back with 25-20.
China started the fourth set trying to gain an edge
but Russia wouldn't surrender. China soon held the lead with 10-6 but Russia
quickly answered back with a 5-1 run.
After tied at 20-20, both teams played more evenly,
as Russia led at 23-21 before China, to the surprise of all, managed a 4-0 run.
Russia's Gamova was still impressive in attack but this wasn't enough with China
running out comfortable set winners to tie upthe game with 25-23.
In the tie break and still neither team would budge,
until Feng Kun scored with a spike to help China lead 5-3.
Russia made their last try at 11-12, but China
started to gain the ascendancy, Yang Hao's consecutive points gave them the set.
China eventually sealed the match with a Zhang Yuehong's excellentspike to
fantastic scenes of jubilation. Enditem | 
