China – Brazil
Ting Zhu from China scored 21 points and was the top scorer while the Brazilian star player Gabriela Guimaraes obtained 18 points mainly from her powerful spikes.
At 12-17 in the first set, Brazil coach Luizomar De Moura called his athletes off court to have a serious talk. Fangxu Yang and Xintong Chen had scored four service winners for China. The timeout did not help as the Asians continued their run with razor-sharp spikes and exemplary block-defence work. De Moura took off Gabriela and exchanged setters but it was already too late. China wrapped up the first set in style, 25-16. China had committed zero mistakes in the first period.
The serve was still one of China’s main weapon early in the second set as the world No. 1 literally blew away the Brazilian passers. Brazil’s setter Giovana tried her best to set up a fast game but could hardly use her middles for quick combinations. On the other side, China’s top scorer Ting Zhu led her team to a comfortable five-point lead at the second technical timeout. Two successful blocks from Fangxu Yang and Fengjiao Wang made it even worse for Brazil. China pulled clear, 25-16 again.
Compared to the two previous sets, there was not much to separate the two teams in the third set. Both squads showed spectacular defense kills combined with perfect-trained offensive variations. However, Brazil lost momentum in the crucial phase of set No. 3. Ning Wang scored for a 23-22 China lead before outside hitter Fengjiao Wang blocked Brazilian opposite Sara Silva twice to bounce China in heaven.
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