Not many would have given India a chance against the tournament’s unbeaten team for far — Brazil — in the semi-final of the junior world volleyball championship. With a raucous, 5000-strong crowd behind them, however, the hosts took the defending champions to the distance before going down 3-2 in the tie-breaker at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Saturday.

Even before the start, India suffered a blow with Somnath ruled out because of fever. Gurinder was also running temperature but refused to sit out. He then went on to top score with 30 points as India came back twice, winning the second and the fourth games. However, the Brazilians took the tie-breaker 15-9 to set up a title clash with Cuba.

India coach MH Kumaran said it was Brazil’s experience that made the difference. “This was the first time we were playing the semi-final in this age group and our inexperience showed. Brazil managed to hold their nerves in the end. A little more experience by playing in more such tournaments will take the team to new heights,” he said.

Brazilian coach Percy Oncken was all praise for the Indian team. “Considering their inexperience in high-level encounters, the Indians played well. I was expecting the game to go to the tie-breaker and had prepared my team in that way. We did well under pressure and attacked well to win crucial points,” he said.

Brazil went on the offensive from the word go, and all India were doing in first game was catching up. The hosts had no answer to the Brazilian attacks and lost the game 25-19.

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