BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Athens Games men's
volleyball final is expected to be repeated four years later in Beijing, when
the world's No. 1 Brazil takes on Italy in the semifinals on Friday.
The two volleyball titans set up the clash after
Brazil trounced the host China in straight sets on Wednesday night, while Italy
edged out Poland after a five-set tussle. Russia and the United State will meet
in another semifinal.
Host China, who made a breakthrough to enter the
final eight, failed to present more surprise to the enthusiastic home fans after
losing the "fight for honor" to defending champion 25-17, 25-15, 25-16. But
their supporters might get comfort with their historic fifth place at the
Olympic Games.
China's only other Olympic show was in 1984 when they
went to the Los Angeles and came back home as the 8th finisher.
"I'm satisfied with the performance of the Chinese
players throughout the tournament. They do have ups and downs, which proves they
are still fledging, but I believe they gained lots of confidence and experience
from the Games, which will help them go further," said China's head coach Zhou
Jian'an.
The Brazilians, who are no strangers to the Italians,
prepared for a tough match ahead.
"They are very dangerous, there are many experienced
players in the team. The majority of us used to play or play currently in the
Italian league so it will be a very difficult match," said Brazilian wing spiker
Andre Heller.
"Italy is very good at serving and blocking. To play
against them we need to show some patience and to be confident in our attack,"
said another player Gustavo Endres.
Earlier in the afternoon, Italy held off Poland
25-19, 25-22, 18-25, 26-28 and 17-15. Plucky Poland fought back from two sets
down and 15-15 in the fifth set, saving five match points on the way, before
losing in the end.
"I just think adjusting ourselves and staying in peak
condition are more important than any improvement right now. Brazil is one of
the most comprehensive teams in the world and we must focus on beating them,"
said Italy head coach Andrea Anastasi.
In the first match of the day, the World's No. 2
Russia came back from a set down to beat Bulgaria 20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-21
with its famous mighty spikes and solid blocking.
Bulgaria head coach Martin Stoev were satisfied with
the players' performances, but were sad about the result.
"At the end of each set the Russians were playing
better than us. But I will still thank all my players for their efforts in the
Olympic Games and for fighting to the very end," he said.
The United States secured the last semifinal berth
after outlasting Serbia in a pulsating five-set thriller. In the replay of the
World League final, the Americans proved a cut above the Serbians at the
critical points to win the match.
"This was a battle. When Serbia had momentum, we
managed to show composure to control that momentum. To beat them today was a
wonderful achievement, although we won't get to enjoy it more because we have to
focus on the next matches," said the U.S. head coach Hugh McCutcheon.
The U.S. players showed confidence to their tough
opponent on their way to the final.
"We have to keep on the rise. We are passing well and
we have the personnel, we just need to play our Volleyball," said the key U.S.
scorer William Priddy.
