Fearless Chinese women overcome nerves to spike Brazil’s dream of a third straight volleyball gold

China’s women volleyball players had every reason to shed tears of joys after pulling off a massive upset victory over favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals. The two teams have met on 20 occasions in the past eight years, with China winning only twice.

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Coach Lang Ping celebrates with the China women’s volleyball team after their stunning upset win over Brazil in the quarter-finals. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:00am, 18 Aug 2016Updated: 7:58am, 18 Aug 2016

China’s women volleyball players had every reason to shed tears of joys after pulling off a massive upset victory over favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals.

The two teams have met on 20 occasions in the past eight years, with China winning only twice.

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With the home advantage and scores of spectators cheering for the more experienced hosts, Brazil were full of confidence and on course to take their third consecutive Olympic volleyball gold.

But the younger Chinese players did not consider defeat an option, putting up a spectacular fight and outplaying their opponents 15-25, 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13 to advance to the semi-finals where they will face an upstart Netherlands side.

Fernanda of Brazil spikes the ball against China’s Hui Ruoqi (left) and Wei Qiuyue during the women’s Olympic volleyball quarter-finals at the Maracanazinho indoor arena in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

“[My players] never gave up even though there were some nerves with the occasion. We managed to win the match and that is what our team showed the world,” China’s coach Lang Ping said.

“Each team has a 50 per cent chance. We know Brazil are one of the best in the world so we didn't think about the result, we just concentrated. If we lose we go home with no regrets.”