Defending champs China sent packing by Brazil in Olympic women's volleyball tournament

A ruthless Brazilian team humiliated defending champions China with a 3-0 demolition in the semifinals of the Beijing Olympic women's volleyball tournament on Thursday.

The world number one team will meet the United States in the final on Saturday.

The Chinese were in form quickly, with spiker Li Juan and Zhou Suhong scoring early points to move the Chinese team 3-0 up in the opening set. Then Brazilian team answered with an excellent back-court attack from Sheilla Castro.

Trailing 5-1 behind, the South Americans found the range, and after a block from Paula Pequeno, Brazil cut the cushion to within one point, 5-4.

To a noisy home crowd, the Chinese team looked tight, making many unforced errors and Brazil took chances to level it at 12-all.

Then much younger setter Wei Qiuyue came in for an underperforming captain Feng Kun. It worked effectively as Chinese spiker Wang Yimei, Li and middle blocker Zhao Ruirui racked up some fine winners to build up the lead once again.

The second technical timeout came with China in front 16-14, but it was the Brazilian who shrugged off tension to play their game, which helped them beat off two set points and then have two straight points to claim the set at 27-25.

The two teams battled hard in the second set, but the South Americans started to take control. Trailing 6-3 behind, China coach Chen Zhonghe had the 19-year-old Wei replace Feng again but the Chinese were still playing below standard and especially had trouble in blocking and making too many mistakes.

Brazil brought up the second technical timeout ahead at 16-13 while China could never really pose a threat upon the opponents.

After Li and Zhao spiked long twice in a row, Brazil set up a comfortable 24-20 lead and converted on the third set point to take the set at 25-22 thanks to China's Zhou serving to the net.

Coming into the third set, the Chinese lost pace and were in serious trouble with their defence falling to pieces. Brazil took the set at 25-14.

中国女排２１日晚０：３完败于世界排名第一的巴西队，无缘北京奥运会决赛。

此前从未在奥运会上进入过决赛的巴西队已经创造了历史，在２３日的决赛中她们将面对郎平领军的美国队。

开局双方都有些紧张，状态不是很稳定。中国队一度以５：１领先，随后被巴西队慢慢追上来。在１２：９领先的情况下，冯坤传球质量下降，巴西队趁机追成１２平。陈忠和用替补二传魏秋月换下冯坤，中国队立即连得两分，又以１４：１２领先。

经过一段时间的拉锯战之后，王一梅对瓦莱夫斯卡的拦网帮助中国队以２４：２３拿到局点，但是随后魏秋月发球出界，比分变成２４平。在２５平的时候，法比亚娜拦住周苏红的扣球。此后，中国队连续３轮进攻未果，而谢拉在反击中一击得手，巴西队以２７：２５拿下关键的第一局。

第二局冯坤继续首发，但是在３：６落后的时候又被魏秋月替下。在１５：１７落后的情况下，马蕴雯的一次扣球、一个拦网和王一梅的一记扣杀帮中国队以１８：１７反超。不久之后，马蕴雯又连续进攻得手，中国队仍以２０：１９领先。然而，就在这个时候，中国队突然“断电”，弗法奥的发球让中国队的一传失误连连，巴西队连得５分，以２４：２０领先。尽管中国队顽强地守住了两个局点，但是周苏红的发球下网让巴西队２５：２２再下一城。

第三局比赛，中国队的心理防线彻底崩溃。巴西队开局就以８：２领先，毫不费力地以２５：１４获胜，昂首进入决赛。

８月２３日，中国队将和古巴队争夺铜牌。