Incredible! I don’t know why we’re the only publication in the city covering this, but officially all five teams that have players from Long Beach are going to play in gold medal games in the 2008 Olympics—we’re five for five! That number includes a few teams that weren’t supposed to make it out of preliminary play, now reaching the heights of competitive glory. Misty May already won a gold, and the Women’s Water Polo team fell in the final match to take silver, but now the Men and Women’s Indoor Volleyball teams and the Men’s Water Polo team are all going on to play for gold. Check back in a little bit for an update on how to watch these teams go for it. All I can say is: Wow!
Men’s Volleyball—GOING FOR GOLD!
The Men’s Volleyball team owes me some heart medicine after its rollercoaster five-set victory over Russia in the semifinals. The US Team (including three Long Beach State alums) jumped out to a two sets-to-none lead, and then opened the door to Russia, who won the next two before the US team got it together and buried them in the fifth and final set. Beats Russia in a thriller to get to the gold medal match. Guarantees first ever double medal, as the worst both teams can do now is silver. The men’s team remains undefeated and will face Brazil for gold.
Men’s Water Polo—GOING FOR GOLD!
This is getting absurd! The men’s water polo team and its five Long Beach high school grads, has done the (completely!) unexpected by smashing Serbia in the semifinals, to advance to the gold medal match. This is a team that, according to international wisdom, wasn’t even supposed to sniff a medal. Now they’ve gotten revenge on Serbia, the only team to beat them in pool play, and on the strength of five goals from Long Beach athletes (they won 10-5), they’ll be playing Hungary for the gold. For our local athletes, they’ve been waiting for this for a long time: “Ryan Bailey and I started in 1998 together, and the first Olympics in 2000 we go out and then again in 2004 we go out and just us and this team coming together like we have today, I couldn’t be happier.” Tony Azevedo, said.
Long Beach Olympic Record: 28-3-1
Long Beach Medals: One gold and one silver!