No. 2 seeds crowned in Men's Beach Volleyball

Philip Dalhausser tries to block a shot.

(BEIJING, August 22) -- Philip Dalhausser and Todd Rogers of the United States won the gold medal by defeating Fabio Magalhaes and Marcio Araujo of Brazil 2-1 (23-21, 17-21, 15-4) on Friday in a thrilling final match in the Olympic Men's Beach Volleyball competition.

The Brazilian duo found form early in the first set, and Fabio's block gave the Brazilian side a 6-1 lead.

However, the US pair clawed back into the match, with Dalhausser showing why he has been named the best blocker in Beach Volleyball for the past two years. The 2.06m-tall American put in a pair of blocks that gave his team an 11-10 lead.

The set was evenly matched, but Fabio smashed the ball into the net and gave his opponents a narrow 23-21 win in the first set.

In the set second, Dalhausser blocked to earn his team a 9-8 lead, which was extended through a dink spike by Rogers. Dalhausser's heavy spike changed the score to 13-10.

Double blocks by Fabio helped his team establish a margin of three points. After the score was tied on 15-15, the Brazilian duo managed a 6-2 run which helped them beat the US pair 21-17 and force the match into a third set.

The deciding set was much less competitive than expected. After an early 6-1 lead, Dalhausser stole the show by exhibiting his amazing defensive abilities with three consecutive blocks. Fittingly, it was his block that ended Fabio's spike and wrapped up the third set 15-4.