The crowd at the Copacabana beach volleyball venue sang “Happy Birthday”.
Advertisement
Then Alison stomped onto the sand. Ludwig and Walkenhorst earned the win in that set, 21-12 and advance to the gold medal match. Brazil’s Talita Rocha, left, celebrates after blocking a shot from Switzerland’s Joana Heidrich, right, during a women’s beach volleyball quarterfinal match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, . Bruno slapped alternately at a television camera and his own chest in celebration. They also squabbled with fans behind them – it’s hard to see past a 6-foot-11 National Basketball Association forward – but engaged in some playful banter with Australia fans across the sand.
“Too bad they showed their very best at the right moments”, Zumkehr said. The Brazilian women took gold at the 2015 FIVB World Championships.
Alison and Bruno will play the victor of the night semifinal between Russian Federation and Italy. The Dutch will play the loser for the bronze.
Agatha and Barbara were able to do what no team ever had in Olympic play; defeat Walsh Jennings.
The night matches include American duo Kerri Walsh Jennings, a three-time gold medalist, and April Ross against Australia.
“I think it will take some time to realize what we did here”, Ludwig said. “We had some tough times, and now we’re in the final!”
The German men won the gold medal in London.
Ludwig/Walkenhorst will play the victor of the women’s semifinal match between Walsh Jennings/Ross and Agatha/Barbara. The Americans have won the last three meetings on the Olympic stage against Japan, opening the 2008 Beijing Games with a four-set victory after sweeping Japan in a match at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Despite failing to make the final, Talita said she would never forget playing in front of the hometown crowd on the iconic beach.
Advertisement
Photographers at the 2016 Summer Olympics have captured a range of expressions from Dubuque native Kayla Banwarth, a member of the US women’s volleyball team.
