Men's Beach Volleyball Preliminaries
Hot Portugal and Cool Canada Roll
In the final preliminary round, two surprising teams bubbled up from the depth of the seedings. No. 18-ranked Luis MAIA and Joao BRENHA (POR) upset Sinjin SMITH and Carl HENKEL (USA) 15-13, although it took them seven match point opportunities to do so. The level-headed John CHILD and Mark HEESE (CAN) efficiently eliminated Sixto JIMENEZ and Javier BOSMA 15-4. Rocket serves, including three aces by HEESE, kept the Spanish pair from getting into their offense. The loss eliminates No. 2-seeded SMITH/HENKEL, who lost earlier in the morning to archrivals Karch KIRALY and Kent STEFFES.
"We came into the match against an American team that is very strong. We were not comfortable at first. But it was our strong will. We really wanted to win and we were happy to overcome the USA team," said Luis MAIA (POR).
Women's Semi-Final Action Sets Up All Brazilian Gold Medal Match
The surviving American women's pair of Linda HANLEY and Barbra FONTANA had the unpleasant task of facing top-seeded Jackie SILVA and Sandra PIRES (BRA). The U.S. dug themselves a 9-0 hole before springing into action, staving off elimination before falling 15-8. The other Brazilian pair, Adriana SAMUEL and Monica RODRIGUES, took just 27 minutes to beat Natalie COOK and Kerri Ann POTTHARST (AUS) 15-3 to advance to an all-Brazilian match for the gold medal. HANLEY/FONTANA will play POTTHARST/COOK for the bronze medal.
"I feel great, it is just like a movie," said Jackie SILVA (BRA). "We have worked hard and passed through things together and this is the result of our hard work. I think I have the best partner in the world. I am a good player, but it is a team. Today the team played together and the right result came. It wasn't easy. Linda is like a tiger. She runs around in the sand, blocking, serving aces. Even when the score was lopsided she keeps pushing, pushing."
HANLEY/FONTANA and SAMUEL/RODRIGUES Advance
The American pair of Linda HANLEY and Barbra FONTANA continued their bid for the medal with a 15-10 win. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of their friends and countrywomen, Nancy RENO and Holly MCPEAK. HANLEY/FONTANA bolted out to a 7-4 lead and then watched helplessly as their opponents reeled off seven straight points to take a 9-7 lead. However, HANLEY and FONTANA outscored the number two seeds 8-1 down the stretch. In the only other women's competition in the morning session, the team known as simply "Monica and Adriana," SAMUEL/RODRIGUES (BRA) put an end to Yukiko ISHIZAKA and Teruko NAKANO's (JPN) run with a 15-6 win.
"The hardest part is not being able to compete for the United States in the Olympics ... at least for me anymore," said Nancy RENO (USA). "There are easy ways for redemption in this sport because we play tons of tournaments. But it is one shot at the Olympics. That is why it is special."
Portugal Continues Cinderella Role, Two American Pairs Advance
Joao BRENHA and Luis MAIA (POR), mere No. 18 seeds, continue to amaze the beach volleyball crowds as they battled their way through the loser's bracket. This time, the No. 6 seeds, Jan KVALHEIM and Bjorn MAASEIDE (SWE), were the victims, falling 15-3. Mike DODD and Mike WHITMARSH (USA) wore down Sixto JIMENEZ and Javier BOSMA (ESP) . "The Mikes" used big blocks to win 15-6. After tying at 5-5, WHITMARSH wrested control of the net, notching 7 blocks in addition to his 21 kills. The most anticipated match of the morning matched two American teams, Karch KIRALY and Kent STEFFES against Sinjin SMITH and Carl HENKEL. KIRALY/STEFFES fended off four match point opportunities to win 17-15 in an emotional, dramatic shootout on Centre Court. In contrast, the steady Canadian pair of Mark HEESE and John CHILD dispatched Francisco ALVAREZ and Juan ROSELL 15-4 with relatively little fanfare.
"This match is like a made-for-TV movie. We were struggling to stay close and were able to pull it out in the end. It is the kind of match that makes me want to play beach volleyball forever. Hopefully a lot of people will watch it and fall in love with the game," said Kent STEFFES (USA).
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| The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July). |