Brazil women stun US for volleyball gold

LONDON (AFP) –

Brazil’s players celebrate after winning the gold medal by defeating the US in the women’s volleyball gold medal match of the London 2012 Olympics Games.

Brazil rallied to beat the world number one-ranked United States 3-1 Saturday and win the London Olympics women’s volleyball gold medal.

In a rematch of the Beijing Olympic final, Brazil shrugged off their shaky start and again proved too strong for the Americans, winning by scores of 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17.

The Americans had looked poised to turn the tables this time, reaching the final without losing a match. Indeed the Americans had not lost a match in 2012.

Brazil, meanwhile, struggled in the group stage, losing twice in their pool but scraping into the quarter-finals in fourth place.

Once into the knock-out phase they delivered two dominant performances with Sheilla Castro, Thaisa Menezes and Fabiana Claudino rounding into form.

US Lindsey Berg (L) and Christa Harmotto try to block the ball during the women’s volleyball gold medal match of the London 2012 Olympics Games against Brazil. Brazil won the gold medal.

On Saturday, the US started strongly and capitalized on a plethora of Brazil’s errors. But the Brazilians regrouped for the second set and after going ahead with a narrow third-set win were full of confidence.

Jacqueline Carvalho led all scorers in the match with 18 points as the Brazilian women delivered what they hope will be the first half of a volleyball double.

Brazil take on Russia in the men’s final on Sunday.

Earlier Saturday, Japan claimed bronze with a 3-0 victory over South Korea (25-22, 26-24, 25-21).