China clinch dream title of women's volleyball
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-29 04:09

China embraced its first volleyball Olympic title in 20 years after beating Russia 3-2 on Saturday to finish the women's tournament at the Athens Olympic Game.

After trailing two sets, China came from behind to trounce Russia 28-30, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23 and 15-12 to claim the title.

China's Olympics volleyball team celebrate victory after the women's volleyball gold medal match against Russia at Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 28, 2004.China won the match 3-2. [Reuters]

The Chinese took an early lead 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 again spiked home the final point of the set for Russia.

Russia replay the scenario again at the second set when they made a 6-2 run after fell behind with 15-17, Gamova scored three points in a row to make it 22-20.

Two blocks from Irina Tebenikhina and Shashkova led Russia to a 26-25 advantage and an attacking error from China allow Russia claim the second set win 27-25.

The Chinese team came out in the third set and quickly opened a 8-5 lead. Coach Chen Zhonghe started to find her attackers regularly, particularly Zhang Yuehong, who scored three points in a row to maintain the slight lead 17-14 for China.

Russia's Olga Chukanova (R) tries to block China's Ping Zhang (L) during their women's volleyball gold medal match at Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 28, 2004. [Reuters]

With Zhang Ping's serving points, China finally grabbed 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 to force Russia into the deciding fifth set.

China's Wang Lina (L) spikes against Russia's Ekaterina Gamova (11) during their women's volleyball gold medal match at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games , August 28, 2004. [Reuters]

In the tiebreak and still neither team would budge, until Feng Kun scored with a spike to help China lead 5-3.

Despite Russia made their last try at 11-12, China eventually sealed the match with a Zhang Yuhong's excellent spike to fantastic scenes of jubilation.

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