LONDON, (Reuters) – An almost robotically focused United States women’s team proved revenge is a dish best served cold when they got their own back on 2008 champions Brazil with an emphatic Olympic volleyball pool victory yesterday.
The Americans lost out in the Beijing final to their yellow and blue clad foes but prevailed 3-1 in one of the ultimate grudge matches of these London Games to lay down a marker for later in the tournament when the pair could meet again.
As the teams rattled through the points and pop music blared out every other minute to tire out the cheerleaders, the U.S. showed nerves of steel amid some unsporting jeers from the Brazil fans with only captain Lindsey Berg affected on serve.
A highly successful blocking strategy against off-form 2008 Most Valuable Player Paula Pequeno and Berg’s superb setting in contrast to that of Brazil’s helped the Americans prosper and seal a second win in Pool B.
“We had some good touches but we’ll have to get better for our next game with China,” demanding U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon told Reuters.
“Any time we play Brazil it is very special. We are two strong teams that compete hard,” the New Zealander added.
Brazil captain Fabiana Claudino thought the duo were still likely to meet in the final again despite her side’s drubbing.
