After a real thriller an amazing decision of Vladimir Alekno, Russia won over Brazil in great final of the Olympic Games 2012

Match started from 3:0 Brazil, after long actions full of digs. Mikhaylov scored the first point for Russia, but Sidao quickly responded from the middle. Vladimir Alekno changed his setter very fast – Butko substituted Grankin at 5:1. Russia made a lot of mistakes, by hitting ball out of the court, they also had problems in the reception. Alekno asked for a break at 8:14. Butko stopped Dante on the net. Next ball belonged to Bruno Rezende, who spiked strongly without any block. Brazil continued with their effective game and soon they took a lead in this final 1:0.

 

Russia began with two points of leading, but Brazil quickly made up for this difference. Grankin came back to the game. After Sidao’s ace it was 5:3 Brazil. Also Wallece added his great service. Russia was behind 4:8 on the first TTO and Alekna brought Berezhko on the court. Brazil showed great and quick action and Murillo spiked from pipe. Grankin made a huge mistake and Volkov missed the ball. Wallace was blocked and in the next minute he spiked correctly. After the second TTO Musersky scored a point from incredibly strong attack. Rezende asked for a break and after that Murillo was blocked by Mykhaylov and Musersky. However, Brazil quickly regained advantage (19:15) and from now on they only increased the distance. Dante finished this set 25:20.

 

Brazil quickly went ahead in this third part (3:1), but Musersky gave his team a tie. Vladimir Aleko made one brave move in this set – he put Musersky in the wing instead of the middle and from the beginning it seemed to work really good. Russia took the precious lead on the first TTO. However, Brazil managed to gain two points ahead their opponent (11:9). Volkov and Musersky built an impressive wall and blocked Brazilian spike. Grankin also stopped Murillo and it was another draw (15:15). Sokolov changed Tetyukhin. After the second TTO Russian player stepped on the line and it was 18:15 for Brazil. Russians were playing well and patiently in attack and they caught another draw 22:22. Giba appeared on the court for one action. The end of this set was an incredible thriller and Russians finally break this Brazilian series and won their first set.

 

On this next set Rezende brought Giba. The game was equal for a while (3:3, 4:4), but ace by Sidao made a difference. Musersky quickly made a tie and Volkov blocked Brazilian and led his team a little ahead. After the first TTO both teams were going hand in hand. Soon Brazilian mistakes and Russian block increased the distance 18:13 Russia. Giba left the court and Rezende kept doing more changes in squad (Ricardo, Thiago). Lucas spiked ace. Brazil got close to their rivals and Alekno used two breaks. Russia lost efficiency a little bit, but they were far enough to win this battle.

 

Two first actions in this tie break were for Russia. Dante spiked on out and it was 3:1 for Alekno’s team. Russians defended two middle attacks and they were leading 6:3 and than 8:4. Musersky carried on being a Russian hero and he led his team to the first gold in history of the Russian Federation!

 

Brazil – Russia 2:3 (25:19, 25:20, 27:29, 22:25, 8:15)