The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic GamesAugust 8-24 2008
(BEIJING, August 24) -- The United States claimed its third Olympic Men's Volleyball gold medal after defeating Athens Olympic champion Brazil 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 to complete the tournament with a perfect record. The United States was Olympic champion at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 and this year won the FIVB World League for the first time.
The first set had many service errors from both sides. Brazil's offense finally prevailed when Andre Heller attacked the middle and closed the first set 25-20.
The United States overpowered Brazil with their spikes and blocks in the second set and took a 6-0 lead. Brazil managed to trim that when they strengthened their block against the American hitters and narrowed the gap to 17-15. The set was tight but William Priddy and Clayton Stanley led the US attack. Stanley could not be denied and hit two consecutive kills to finish the set 25-22.
The US team broke loose in the third set with blocks on Dante Amaral and Andre Nascimento. Brazil's coach Bernardo Rezende had to send in Bruno Rezende, Murilo Endres and Samuel Fuchs to renew their offense, but Brazil still struggled and lost 25-21 on a Fuchs' service error.
Brazil committed two service errors early in the fourth set but Gilberto Godoy Filho attacked strongly to lead the Brazilian offense. Gustavo Endres made crucial blocks that gave Brazil the lead.
The final moments of the fourth set were a battle between Stanley and Godoy Filho as they exchanged spikes. Stanley's efforts proved more valuable as he tied the score, then stole the lead from Brazil. Godoy Filho felt the pressure as he committed errors at the end of the set. A Stanley spike gave the United States the gold medal, winning the set 25-23.
