enalty area, who settled with what looked like a possible h

RIO DE JANEIRO -- On their left was the United States, the birthplace of beach volleyball and the most successful country in its Olympic history.To their right was one of two Brazilian womens teams to reach the medal round on their home sand at Copacabana beach, the sports spiritual home.But there on the top step of the medal podium were Germanys Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, claiming the second straight Olympic gold medal for their homeland and establishing it as a power in the beach volleyball world.Im speechless, Ludwig said after the 21-18, 21-14 victory over Brazils reigning world champions on Wednesday night.Four years after the German men claimed the countrys first Olympic beach volleyball title, Ludwig and Walkenhorst beat the reigning world champions from Brazil to give the country its first womens beach volleyball medal.My feeling was, `If they can do it, we can do it, said Ludwig, who finished fifth in 2012 and was in the stands for the mens final in London. Its a pity because never in a big tournament have we (German women) had this success. But, also: happy because we are the first.Agatha and Barbara took silver just hours after Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross beat Brazils other womens team. Larissa and Talita lost in the semifinals to the Germans, spoiling the hosts hopes for an all-Brazilian final.We would have liked a final with the Brazilians. It would have been very beautiful, Agatha said. But the Germans deserved the final, and they deserved the medal.With top-seeded Alison and Bruno in the mens final against Italy on Thursday, the hosts have clinched no worse than a silver, with a chance for its first gold since 2004.Of course, we wanted to win the match. But we are very proud about the medal. I think all Brazilians are proud about this medal, Agatha said. We have one medal and we must be happy with the silver. We have one more chance with the men.The Americans in the crowd seemed to all stick around for the medal ceremony that started after 1 a.m. local time. And the Germans waving their tricolor flag were just as loud when their women were presented with the gold.But many Brazilians began heading for the exits during the final points in the championship match -- it was late, and anyway it was a disappointing night for the host nation with two losses in as many matches.The German women had never won a medal in beach volleyball. The countrys men hadnt reached the Olympic podium since a bronze on Bondi Beach in Sydney in 2000 until Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann took gold in London, beating Brazil in the final.But Ludwig and Walkenhorst pulled away midway through the first set and played better in a wind that picked up during the night.We said, `Well take the storm and make our own storm, Ludwig said. Carlos Baerga Jersey . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. 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Host Brazil could only manage a disappointing 0-0 draw against South Africa as the mens soccer competition began at the Olympics on Thursday.South Africa put an early scare into the hosts as Lebo Mothibas third-minute shot was blocked by on-rushing keeper Weverton.It was a frustrating first half for Brazil and its star forward Neymar, who twice saw South African keeper Itumeleng Khune tip 20-yard shots over the bar.Brazil greatly controlled possession, but South Africa did have two early chances to score through Keagan Dolly and Mothiba early in the second half.But South Africas hopes at an upset win ended soon after when Mothobi Mvala picked up two yellow cards for a pair of fouls in quick succession and was sent off in the 59th minute.Brazil nearly took the lead in the 69th minute when the ball trickled across the box to Gabriel Jesus, but the new Manchester City signing could only hit the outside of the post with the net gaping.Neymar flashed a shot inches too high three minutes later, then played through Gabriel Barbosa, only for Khune to make another good save.Deep into stoppage time, Khune handled a low shot from Neymar as the hosts failed to find a breakthrough and were booed off the field by their fans in?Brasilia.We had the best chances but the ball didnt go in, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. And we also have to give credit to South Africa, which has a very determined team and made it difficult for us to impose our game.Mexico 2, Germany 2Germany twice answered second-half goals from Mexico as the teams settled for a 2-2 draw in Group C.Hirving Lozano had two golden opportunites to give Mexico the lead in the first half, but there were no goals until after halftime.Oribe Peralta opened the scoring in the 52nd minute by heading home Michael Perezs cross from a corner.But Germany were back level six minute later when Serge Gnabry, who had just missed a clear header, was able to score after receiving Niklas Sules through ball.Germany thought they had the lead moments later, but Davie Selkes goal was ruled out for a handball in the buildup.And seconds later Mexico were again in front when Marco Bueno struck the crossbar and the ball fell for Rodolfo Pizarro to score.But again Germany were able to equalize when Matthias Ginter headed home from Julian Brandts corner in the 78th minute.Portugal 2, Argentina 0Portugal handed Group D favorite Argentina its first loss at the Olympics in 20 years.Jonathan Calleri nearly gave Argentina the lead just after half-time when his chipped shot on the counter-attack hit the crossbar.But it was Portugal that opened the scoring in the 66th minute when Goncalo Paciencia tucked a low shot from the top of the box into the far corner.Pite Trabulo added a second goal in the 84th minute when Argentina keeper Geronimo Rulli allowed the ball to slip through his legs.After earning the silver medal in Atlanta in 1996, Argentina failed to qualify in 2000, then won gold in 2004 and 2008, then again missed the tournament in 2012.Honduras 3, Algeria 2Honduras held off a late comeback to win the opening game in Group D.Anthony Lozano beat the offside trap to go through on goal in the 13th minute, and though his shot was cleared off the line, it fell for Romell Quioto to open the scoring.Algeria lost their captain Ryad Keniche to injury after a half-hour and it got worse for the African team three minutes later when Marcelo Pereira doubled Honduras lead with a looping header.Algeria got a goal back with Sofiane Bendebkas 68th minute header, but Honduras restored the two-goal advantage when Algeria keeper Farid Chaal spilled a simple cross and Lozano was on hand to tap in.With five minutes left, Algerria cut it to 3-2 with a Baghdad Bounedjah header, and Algeria nearly had an equalizer, only for Oussama Darfalou to head over the bar from four yards out.dddddddddddd.Sweden 2, Colombia 2In Group B, a late Dorlan Pabon penalty allowed Colombia to salvage a draw with Sweden.Teo Gutierrez raced onto a through ball and slotted home from just inside the corner of the box to give Colombia the lead, but Mikael Ishak equalized for Sweden before half-time with a powerful 25-yard blast into the top corner.And Sweden took the lead after the hour mark when Colombia keeper Cristian Bonilla could only parry Robin Quaisons shot into the path of Astrit Ajdarevic.But Colombia levelled the score in the 75th minute when Joakim Nilsson was whistled for handling the ball in the box, and Pabon converted the penalty.Substitute Harold Preciado nearly found a winner in the final stages but his shot under pressure was saved.Denmark 0, Iraq 0Denmark and Iraq opened the mens competition with a goalless draw in Group A, leaving all four teams with a single point after Brazils draw.With Denmark content to play for a draw, substitute Mohannad Abdul-Rahim nearly sparked Iraq to victory, but he could not find a winner.South Korea 8, Fiji 0South Korea began their Group D campaign with an overwhelming 8-0 victory over minnows Fiji.Ryu Seung-Woo found the breakthrough in the 32nd-minute, and though the Moon Chang-Jin missed a penalty the Koreans were easily in control by halftime.The floodgates would open in the second half, with a three-goal flurry starting in the 62nd minute that included two strikes within two minutes from Kwon Chang-Hoon.Tottenham Hotspur Son Heung-Min made it 5-0 from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute before Ryu scored two more to complete his hat trick for the match.Nigeria 5, Japan 4Nigeria ran out 5-4 winners in a thrilling opener against Japan, as Oghenekaro Etebo scored four goals to lead his team to the Group B victory.The Nigerian team showed no signs of wear and tear after a flight delay in the United States nearly jeopardized their chances of making it to the match, taking an early lead after Japan keeper Masatoshi Kushibiki parried a shot into the path of Sadiq Umar who tapped in.Japan struck right back from the penalty spot after Takumi Minamino was fouled in the area and Shinzo Kohrokito stepped up to convert to make it 1-1 in the ninth minute.Minutes later Abdullahi Shehus high cross found Etebo in the penalty area, who settled with what looked like a possible hand ball and then fired in Nigerias second at the far post.The lead once again lasted less than a minute after Takumi Minamino picked up a brilliant through ball and was in on goal to give Japan their second and level the score at 2-2.Things settled down after that until the end of the first half when a goalmouth scramble led to Nigerias third goal as the ball fell once again to Etebo, who volleyed home to send it to the break at 3-2.The second half started horribly for Japan, as Umar forced a turnover in Japans end and was taken down by Tsukasa Shiotani in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Etebo stepped up and coolly slotted home to make it 4-2 and complete his hat trick.Etebo wasnt done yet and his fourth looked to put the match out of reach when he volleyed home a long rebound from 30 yards out seemingly sealed the fate of the Japanese.However, goals from Arsenal recruit Takuma Asano and fellow substitute?Musashi Suzuki almost had Japan back in the game, but the Samurai Blue ran out of time as Nigeria held on for the win. ' ' '