China embraced its first volleyball Olympic title in 20 years
after beating Russia 3-2 in the women's final on Saturday.
After trailing two sets down, China came from behind to trounce
Russia 28-30, 25-27, 25-20,25-23 and 15-12 to claim the title.
The Chinese players dived to the floor to celebrate the
well-deserved victory after Zhang Yuehong smashed home the match
winner.
The last time they won a Olympic title was 20 years ago at the
1984 Los Angles Olympics.
The final is set to be a fantastic showdown for the two teams as
both teams displayed terrific form before entering the final.
Russia, a power house in the sport, turned the tables in their
semi-final match against Brazil when they were two sets down to
their rivals before taking the final spot at 3-2.
But on Saturday night, it was China that played the role to turn
the tables.
Zhang Ping led the Chinese team with 25 points, while Yang Hao
added 21. Zhou Suhong and Zhang Yuehong had 15 apiece.
China got off to the better start, opening a 8-5 lead with Zhang
Ping particularly effective on attack. Feng Kun and Liu Yanan also
combined superbly for the China with two successful blocks.
But Ekaterina Gamova's three consecutive points helped Russia
catch up to 18-18. After tied at 24-24, both teams beat off four
set-points and it was Gamova, who had 9 points in the set, again
spiked home the final point of the set for Russia.
Gamova had a total of 33 points during the two hours and seven
minutes match.
The fans were treated to a frenetic pace in the second set
with some beautiful blocking from setter Feng Kun and powerful
attacking from backcourt of Zhang Ping giving China a slight
advantage 10-8.
Russia replayed the scenario again at 15-17 as they made a 6-2
run, Gamova scored three points in a row to make it 22-20.
Chinese head coach Chen Zhonghe then made a inspired
substitution, introducing wing-striker Zhang Yuehong into the court
but only saw Russia charge home to claim the set.
Two blocks from Irina Tebenikhina and Lioubov Shashkova led
Russia to a 26-25 advantage and an attacking error from China gave
Russia the second set at 27-25.
Shashkova contributed 23 points while Tebenikhina had 14.
The Chinese team, who found themselves in a do-or-die situation,
came out in the third set and quickly opened a 8-5 lead. Coach Chen
was a lot more animated during his team talks and this had an
immediate effect with Chen starting to find his attackers
regularly, particularly Zhang Yuehong, who scored three points in a
row to maintain the slight lead 17-14 for China. China's defence
was also improved with Zhang Ping's blocks and libero Zhang Na who
made some impressive diving saves.
With Zhang Ping's ace, China finally took one set back with
25-20.
China started the fourth set trying to gain an edge but Russia
wouldn't surrender. China soon held the lead with 10-6 but Russia
quickly answered back with a 5-1 run.
After tied at 20-20, both teams played more evenly, as Russia
led at 23-21 before China, to the surprise of all, managed a 4-0
run. Russia's Gamova was still impressive in attack but this wasn't
enough with China running out comfortable set winners to tie up the
game with 25-23.
In the tie break and still neither team would budge, until Feng
Kun scored with a spike to help China lead 5-3.
Russia made their last try at 11-12, but China started to gain
the ascendancy, Yang Hao's consecutive points gave them the set.
China eventually sealed the match with a Zhang Yuehong's excellent
spike to fantastic scenes of jubilation.
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2004)
