 Beach battle
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-23 10:33
Philip Dalhausser and Todd Rogers of the United States won the men's beach volleyball gold yesterday, adding to their 2007 world title. The Americans beat Brazil's Marcio Araujo and Fabio Magalhaes 23-21, 17-21, 15-4 in a tense, tight final. The bronze went to 2004 champions Ricardo Santos and Emanuel Rego of Brazil. The American duo's win marked a return to the top of the podium for the US, which won gold at in 1996 and in 2000, but saw its domination halted in Athens. "I'm on cloud nine," said Dalhausser. "It's the best feeling I have ever had in my life." Rogers added: "I have won just about every tournament I could hope to win, but this was always the one which eluded me. "Phil and I are great on and off the court. We were down 6-1 in the first set but came back. That's testament to the way we are as a team." Rogers added that his partner's blocking skills were crucial to victory. He said: "He got in the zone and that's what great blockers do. It's an intuitive thing. You couldn't explain it to a layman. He blocks, and I just keep clapping and smiling and cheering." Brazil led 6-1 in the first set before the Americans trimmed the deficit. From then on, the two sides were never more than two points apart in the set. But the Americans proved the more composed when it mattered most. Brazil saved two set points but Dalhausser's imposing presence at the net proved vital with the set-winning attack. In the second set, a Dalhausser block earned the US a 9-8 lead, which was extended through a dink spike by Rogers. Dalhausser's heavy spike changed the score to 13-10. But fine blocks by Magalhaes restored confidence and the Brazilians stretched into a decisive lead to take the set. However, the US dominated the decider and, after opening up a 6-1 lead, they raced to victory. Dalhausser and Rogers had a tough start to the Olympics, losing their first match against Martins Plavins and Aleksandrs Samoilovs of Latvia, but they quickly recovered to win all other matches. AFP (China Daily 08/23/2008 page11) |
