VideoNEW
Podcasts
Blogs
By Martyn Herman
LONDON (Reuters) - They cranked up the volume at the Olympic volleyball party on Wednesday but it all went flat for the United States as the defending men's champions were sent packing by Italy.
On a day of samba, surprises and Russian firepower at Earls Court, the hitherto under-performing Italians conjured an inspired display out of nowhere to beat the U.S. 3-0.
They will now face top-ranked Brazil who fed off a carnival atmosphere to crush south American rivals Argentina.
By far the loudest noise of the day came later, however, when Poland, roared on by legions of fans in white and red, faced historic rivals Russia in an electrifying atmosphere.
With chants of "Polska, Polska" ringing around the old London arena, reminiscent of the Euro 2012 football championships co-hosted by Poland, Russia's own "poles" were unshakable in a clash between the world's second and third ranked nations.
Dmitry Muserskiy, all 2.18 metres of him, and Maxim Mikhaylov, a mere 2.02m, were the twin towers on which Russia built a 3-0 victory - scoring 25 of their side's points and blocking everything Poland threw at them.
Russia will play either Germany or Bulgaria for a place in their first Olympic final since the former they won gold in Moscow in 1980 as the former Soviet Union.
After Brazil earned the south American bragging rights by dispatching an inexperienced Argentina side with relative ease, they would have expected a second clash with the United States after losing to them in group play.
However, Italy had not read the script.
After saving two set points in the opener the Azzurri turned on the style to stun their opponents, winning 28-26 25-20 25-20.
"This is the team that I was looking for and missed in the previous five matches," Italy coach Mauro Berruto, whose side were beaten by Poland and Bulgaria in the qualifying round before scraping through in fourth spot, told reporters.
It was a bitter disappointment for American captain Clayton Stanley, top points scorer in his side's gold run in Beijing.
"They turned it up an notch and we turned it down," he told reporters. "We worked four years for this, it's kinda tough."
Three-times world champions Italy are looking for their first Olympic title, while Brazil are aiming to recapture the crown they won in Athens before losing to the U.S. in the final in Beijing four years ago.
They were clinical against Argentina, their fierce continental sporting rivals.
The impressive spike Murilo Endres fired the winning point for Brazil to the delight of their colourful fans.
"It was our best match so far. Our determination and mindset were crucial," livewire libero Sergio Santos told reporters.
"It's never easy with Argentina but today we were able to attack more efficiently than them."
Russia will take some stopping, judging by their flattening of Poland. With a 3-0 win over Brazil already under their belt in group play, coach Vladimir Alekno's side are oozing confidence.
Even so, Alekno was not totally satisfied.
"The quarter-final is always the most difficult game. Either you continue, or you are knocked out from the competition. There was a certain psychological pressure on my players and I cannot say that we totally coped with it," he said.
(Editing by Alison Williams)
