The United States shut down Serbia in the semifinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s volleyball tournament, taking revenge on it for the elimination in the semis in Rio 2016.
The European, world, and Olympic crowns will not be united, at least not this time. The Serbia Women’s Volleyball National Team had a chance to make such a feat but ran into an extremely motivated U.S. squad in the semifinals of the Tokyo 2020, who didn’t allow them to take a single set.
The team coached by Karch Kiraly, who played again without its starting opposite hitter Jordan Thompson (ankle injury) but with the setter Jordyn Poulter (recovered from the same injury) in the line-up, looked very powerful in all three sets, punishing each service or reception error of its rival, and finishing the job in 80 minutes: 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23). The United States will be playing for gold for the fourth time (failed to claim it so far), improving the result from the previous Olympics (won the bronze medal, eliminated in the semis exactly by today’s rival), sending Serbia to the consolation final. In a decider, the North Americans will face the winner of a duel between Brazil and South Korea (2 p.m. CET).
Andrea Drews top-scored the USA against Serbia with 17 points. Tijana Bošković put down 19 on the losing side but through only 12.2 % efficiency (16/41; 11 errors).
2020 Tokyo Olympics women’s volleyball tournament – semifinals:
Serbia – USA 0-3 (19-25, 15-25, 23-25)
Brazil – South Korea, 2 p.m. CET
