The Brazilian duo of Emanuel Rego and Alison Cerutti defeated Latvia's Martins Plavins and Janis Smedins to earn their trip to the 2012 London Olympics Men's Beach Volleyball Finals. They accomplished the feat in two straight sets 21-15, 22-20.
Cerutti finished with 6 blocks, 10 digs and 31 success on attack. He also had the two aces of the Brazilian duo.
This match was very close from beginning to end. Brazil ran away with the first set after the score was 7-6. They went on a 4-0 run to give themselves a five-point lead. They added to their lead with another 3-0 run. They went from 13-10 to 16-10.
After a couple of exchanges, Brazil put the first set away on a Cerutti block to take the 1-0 advantage in the match.
In the second set, Latvia scored first, but Brazil took a 3-1 lead and never looked back. Smedins and Plavins managed to tie the score a couple of times. Down 10-7 they went on a the attack scoring three consecutive points and tying the score at 10.
Brazil took a timeout and came out recharged going on a 15-10 run. Smedins and Plavins went on a 9-4 run tying the game at 19. They tied again at 20, but Cerutti and Rego scored two consecutive points, putting the match away 22-20.
They now await their finals opponent. Either German duo Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann or Netherland's Reinder Nummerdor and Rich Schuil will have the pleasure of facing the Brazilian duo.
