Women's Medal Placement / Match 39
CHN vs. RUS
China Advances to Gold Medal Match
The People's Republic of China advanced to the gold medal match with a 3-1 win over the Russian Federation. Using scrambling defense and strong blocking, the Chinese beat Russia 12-15, 15-5, 15-7 and 15-12. China, the gold medal winner in 1984, will take on Cuba, the gold medal winner in 1992, for the gold.
The Chinese ran out to a 6-0 lead in the first set before Russia scored three straight points. China came back with five unanswered points to go up 11-3. After a timeout, Russia reeled off nine straight points to go up 12-11. China managed just one more point and watched as Russia pulled off the 15-12 win. Russia maintained its momentum into the second set taking a narrow 4-3 lead before China outscored its opponent 12-1 down the stretch. China blew out to a 9-1 lead in the third set. Russia got as close as three at 10-7, but could only watch as China reeled off the final five points of the set. In the fourth set, the score was tied eight times, the last at 12 before China scored the final three points of the match. China recorded 11 digs and 19 blocks as a team.
Russia will play for the bronze.
Final Score: CHN def. RUS 15-5, 15-7, 15-12.
"The semifinals against the Russian team was a very important match for both teams. China has never beaten Russia or a Soviet Union team. We realized this was a serious match. I asked the players not to consider winning or losing. The requirements of the players was to give their best performance," said LANG Ping, China's head coach.
BRA vs. CUB
Cuba beat Brazil 3-2 in a hotly contested match as it sought to defend its Olympic gold of four years ago. Cuba will play China for the gold medal while Brazil will play Russia for the bronze medal.
In the first set, Brazil ran out ahead 10-2 and then allowed Cuba just three more points winning 15-4. Cuba turned the tables in the second set, running out an 8-4 lead. Brazil drew to within one at 8-7 on a miss by Mireya LUIS (CUB). However, they would score only once more to lose 15-8. Fofao SOUZA served two straight aces to score points 14 and 15 to punctuate Brazil's 15-10 win in the third set. In the fourth set, the Brazilians fell behind 7-2, but Marcia CUNHA sparked a comeback with two consecutive blocks to tie at 7. After tying again at 11, Cuba edged ahead 13-12 on the strength of Raisa O'FARRIL's serving. At 14-13, Cuba regained the serve and won set point on a block by Magalys CARVAJAL. In the final set, with rally scoring, neither team could pull away by more than three until Cuba won the match 15-12 after two match point opportunities.
USA vs. GER
Team USA Ends Olympic Run on Positive Note
The U.S. women's volleyball team scored a 3-1 win over Germany to clinch seventh place. The win completes the United States team's play in the Olympic Games. The match also marks the Olympic finale for several players and head coach Terry LISKEVYCH.
The United States put down an upset bid by the German team in the first set, holding on to win 17-16. The win took the wind from the German sails as the United States rolled to an easy 15-6 win in the second. However, the United States could not afford to let up as the Germans quickly proved with a 15-5 win in the third. Sparked by retiring veteran Caren KEMNER, the United States regained control with a 15-6 win to end the match.
The eighth and final match for the women's team also marked the final match for KEMNER, Tammy LILLEY and Paula WEISHOFF, who have announced their retirement.
Final Score: USA def. GER 17-16, 15-6, 5-15, 15-6.
"The team really wanted to win. They wanted to win every match. It is difficult to go on when your dreams are shattered. But that is the beauty of sport. You always have another day," said Terry LISKEVYCH, U.S. head coach.
NED vs. KOR
The Netherlands unleashed outside hitter Henriette Weersing, who had 29 kills, to sweep Korea 3-0 and earn a fifth place finish.
It is the best finish ever for the Dutch in their second appearance in the Olympic Games. They finished sixth in Barcelona. Korea made its only other Olympic appearance in 1972.
The Netherlands scored on 7 service aces while Korea landed none en route to the win. The Koreans failed to mount a serious threat in the first two sets, falling 15-9 and 15-9. Korea stayed close in the third set only to fall 15-13. CHANG Yoon-Hee (KOR) led with 18 kills.
Final Score: NED def. KOR 15-9, 15-9, 15-13.
"We are very pleased with our finish. We are a young team with lots of returning players. I am young. We will improve in the future and only get better," said Ingrid VISSER (NED).
BRA vs. ARG
Brazil Wins; Plays Cuba for Fifth
Despite being without its best player, Brazil beat Argentina 3-1 in men's volleyball classification.
The defending gold medalists Brazilians, who have never finished worse than fifth in Olympic competition, avenged an earlier pool loss with the 15-10, 15-3, 13-15, 15-9 win. With the loss, the Argentines will play Bulgaria in the seventh-place match.
Although Brazil's best player, Marcelo NEGRAO, did not play, Fabio MARCELINO more than picked up the slack with a 53-kill performance including three service aces.
After losing the first two sets, the Argentines mounted a comeback to win the third set. The two teams were tied in the early going before Argentina ran to a 10-5 lead and then to 13-8. Nalbert BITENCOURT (BRA) came off the bench and sparked a 5-point run to tie the score at 13. A service ace by Argentina's Guillermo MARTINEZ and a Fernando BORRERO block forced a fourth set.
In the third set, Argentina fell behind 7-2 before coming back to tie at 7.The rally ended there as the team could only score twice more, falling 15-9.
Final Score: BRA def. ARG 15-10, 15-3, 13-15, 15-9.
"We had the spirit to win, but actually we were dead tired," said Javier WEBER, (ARG). "We played the best we can. Today was winnable, but not physically really because we were so tired. We had a little bad luck in the point system and we had to play Italy in the quarterfinals."
CUB vs. BUL
Cuba used aggressive serving to beat Bulgaria 3-1. In all, the Cubans had 14 service aces including six by Alain ROCA. With the win, Cuba will face Brazil in a rematch in the match for fifth.
Cuba took control early in the match with a decisive 15-4 win in the first set. However, the Bulgarians slowly gained momentum, losing 15-12 in the second. The Bulgarians, who did not qualify for the 1992 games, outlasted Cuba 17-15 in the third. Cuba regained control to win 15-12 in the fourth.
Final Score: CUB def. BUL 15-4, 15-12, 16-17, 15-12.
"All these matches are extremely hard for any team that is out of the final four. In addition, we played early in the morning after playing last night, and that is a hardship on any team," said Dimo TONEV (BUL).
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