Fe Garay helps Brazil back to Olympic final

Brazil triumphed against Korea 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-16) on Friday night in the second women's semifinal match at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Their victory at the Ariake Arena set up a final clash with the United States on Sunday at 13.30 local time.

Brazil have collected two bronze medals and two gold medals at the Olympic Games. They won consecutive gold medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, then finished joint-fifth at their home Games in Rio.

Brazil's win against Korea by a total of 75-48 points was the widest ever in an Olympic Games semifinal. It broke their own record of 75-51 from the semifinal against Japan at London 2012 when they went on to win the gold medal.

Fe Garay led Brazil with 17 points built from 13 attacks and three blocks. Her teammates Gabi Guimaraes and Rosamaria Montibeller were also active from the flanks and collected 12 and 10 markers, respectively. Korea captain Kim Yeon Koung and Park Jeongah led their team with 10 points each.

Brazil got off to a good start in the first set with a 10-5 advantage. An active frontline was led by Garay, who scored four attacks and a block, and Rosamaria Montibeller and Ana Carolina Da Silva who had four points each off offensive and defensive efforts.

Brazil dictated the tempo in the first set and never allowed their opponents to gain the upper hand. With a comfortable 24-16 lead, Garay's attack winner clipped the line to end the first set in favour of the two-time Olympic champions. The South Americans gained an edge against their Asian rivals with their 13 attacks, three blocks and a service ace in the first set.

Korea had a better start in the second set as Kim Heejin and Yang Hyojin converted on their attempts and stimulated their teammates’ offence. Brazil held a slim lead at 11-10, but Rosamaria was able to increase the lead with back-to-back attacks after a Korean service error, and Gabi Guimaraes’ backrow hit suddenly gave them a four-point advantage.

Brazil responded quickly to the Korean scoring runs, with Gabi and Natalia Pereira increasing the lead to six at 20-14. The Korean hitters could not break through the Brazilian defence, while the South Americans just kept on scoring. A block by Natalia gave the Brazilians a 2-0 set lead at 25-16.

Korea were staring down the barrel at the beginning of the third set and struggled to find their rhythm offensively. The Brazilians, on the other hand, were persistent in offence and produced brilliant blocks and attacks that forced their opponents to commit a string of errors.

As Brazil led 23-12, Korea put up a small fight and scored three more points to make it 23-15, but Kim Heejin’s service blunder and Garay’s match winner completed Brazil’s return to the Olympic final at 25-16.

Quick links:
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Volleyball
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Volleyball - Match schedule
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