Brazilians back from brink, US out of beach volleyball

LONDON, (Reuters): Beach volleyball world champions Emanuel Rego and Alison Cerutti of Brazil saved a match point against a Polish pair in their men’s Olympic quarter-final on Monday before winning a thrilling deciding set for Emanuel to stay on course for a second gold.

In the semi-final, they will face Latvia’s Martins Plavins and Janis Smedins, who upset Americans Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb in three sets, ending US participation in the men’s event at an unexpectedly early stage. The Brazilians had a tougher time against Grzegorz Fijalek and Mariusz Prudel than they had since the start of the Olympic tournament, much to the delight of the 15,000 fans packed into the stunning Horse Guards Parade venue.

“It was a fantastic game. Both teams never gave up. The energy coming from the stands, 15,000 people yelling for both teams, it was amazing. It was a great feeling. And I think we and Poland did a spectacular show tonight,” said Emanuel. The world champions won the first set 21-17 but lost the second 21-16. In the third set, which in theory is played to 15 points, the teams both delivered dramatic spikes, saves and dives to stay level almost until the end.

The Poles had a match point but the Brazilians saved it. Then they had a match point but the Poles saved that. With the crowd roaring, the Brazilians battled to obtain a second match point, which they won to seal the set and the match by 17-15.