Gabriela Guimaraes (center) of Brazil spikes the ball against China during their FIVB World Grand Prix Finals match on Sunday in Sapporo Japan. Photo: CFP

 

Brazil clinched the gold medal in the FIVB (International Federation of Volleyball) World Grand Prix Finals for a ­record ninth time on Sunday, overcoming China 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-20) in Sapporo, Japan. China were the only other team in ­contention for the gold medal and ­finished in second place.

Brazil, with a perfect 5-0, garnered 15 points in the tournament and China, 4-1, got 10 points. Serbia claimed the bronze medal after defeating Italy 3-2.

The Brazilians were led by Sheilla Castro with 18 points and China's top scorer was Wang Yimei with 13 points.

Brazil took a flying 8-2 lead at the ­beginning with nice blocks and spikes and held the margin to 16-8 at the ­second technical timeout.

From 20-12 on, Gabriela Guimaraes and Fernanda Rodriguses landed their bombs on the Chinese side to finish the set 25-15.

The two teams played tight in the second set with Brazil leading 8-6 at the first technical timeout.

Fabiana Claudino's block on Wang inspired the Brazilians to a 16-11 lead at the second technical timeout. Brazil left no chances for China and ended the set 25-14 with a spike by Thaisa Menezes.

China fought back to 5-2 in the third set with spikes from Wang and Yang Junjing as well as Wang's block on ­Castro. China enlarged their lead to ­11-7, prompting a timeout from the Brazilians. Brazil then took four straight points for 11-12 and turned the table for 16-13 at the second technical timeout.

Yin Na came up big with two spikes, followed by a nice block by Liu Congcong, as China narrowed the game to 19-20. But a block by Menezes and an ace made it 22-19 in favor of Brazil.

The Brazilians gave China no chance in the end as Menezes' smash secured the victory.

Brazil's coach Ze Roberto emphasized that the win was just the start on the road to Rio.

"I don't think we are a level above other teams," said Ze Roberto.

"Leading up to the Rio Olympic Games, all the other teams will improve so we don't want to be left behind. In terms of speed and defense, we want to catch up with other teams."

China's coach Lang Ping said, "Today, we tried our best. Last night, we finished very late and some players have injuries so we preferred to rest them.

"We did what we could. I think our team did a good job. We learned so much and also could see the talent of our young players. We know in the future who we want to work on."

Agencies - Global Times