China beat Russia for women's title

China won the gold medal in the Olympic women's volleyball competition yesterday, beating Russia 3-2. After Russia took the first two sets in marathon battles, 2003 World Cup winners China clawed their way back for a hard-fought 28-30 25-27 25-20 25-23...

China won the gold medal in the Olympic women's volleyball competition yesterday, beating Russia 3-2.

After Russia took the first two sets in marathon battles, 2003 World Cup winners China clawed their way back for a hard-fought 28-30 25-27 25-20 25-23 15-12 win.

Russia, silver medallists in Sydney four years ago, held off one match point but Yuehong Zhang spiked a winner past Russian blockers to win the match.

Earlier Cuba won the bronze medal beating Brazil 3-1. The Cubans, gold medallists at the past three Olympics, triumphed 25-22 25-22 14-25 25-17.

After the Cubans won the first two sets, Brazil picked up their defence and serving to win the third set. But Cuba shot to a 6-1 lead in the fourth set and never let Brazil gain control.

Captain Yumilka Ruiz Luaces and Nancy Carrillo de la Paz were key players in the Cuban win.

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