The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic GamesAugust 8-24 2008
(BEIJING, August 20) -- Brazil sprinted into the Men's Volleyball semifinals with a convincing 25-17, 25-15, 25-16 defeat of China in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 20. Brazil will meet Italy in the semifinals on August 22. The final quarterfinal match of the day will be between the United Sates and Serbia starting at 10:00 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8); the winner will go on to face Russia.
In the first set China's quick middle hits from Bian Hongming of China and consistent right-side attacks from Yuan Zhi helped them keep pace initially, but then Brazil switched gears winning the set 25-17.
Even a triple-block by China could not stop the powerful spikes of Gilberto Godoy Filho, who led Brazil's formidable offense to a 25-15 second set win.
China caught Brazil napping in some parts of the third set with Fang Yingchao tipping the ball to the hole in the middle of Brazil's court. Dante Amaral's of Brazil surge later in the set put Brazil into a comfortable lead and sealed Brazil's passage to the semifinals.
