China inches toward gold after beating Netherlands

Chinese volleyballers celebrate after winning semifinals, Aug 18, 2016. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn]

After surrendering the second set 25-23 with De Kruijf blocking HuiRuoqi in the end, China were drawn into an even more fiercely contested third set, exchanging leads with the Dutch after a heroic comeback from 1-7 and only rounding things up till 29-27 with a spike from Zhu.

Leading no more than three points in the later proved decisive in the fourth set, the 2015 world cup winners scored a victorious score through Hui's spike to seal the win.

The Netherlands' best result in their previous Olympic Games appearance was a fifth finish in Atlanta 20 years ago.

With the victory, China set up a title-vying encounter with Serbia, who made their first-ever entry to an Olympic final by edging the United States 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, 16-25, 15-13.

"Serbia's attack is really strong. They played pretty well today and I'm not surprised that they beat the Americans as they crashed the USA 3-2 in last year's World Cup," Lang said.

"The Serbian won 3-0 during the group game with us so it will be a very tough game in the final. I hope they won't win so easily again," she said.

Leading Chinese volleyball team win Olympic gold medal 32 years ago, the former ace spiker said winning Olympic gold medal as a player and a coach are two different feeling.

"From the moment I decided to be the head coach of China, I have never thought of what I would get. I will try whatever I can to do the best."