Brazil complete a final double

With the women set to face the USA on Saturday, the pressure was on Bernardo Rezende's men not to let the army of Brazilian fans crammed inside Earls Court down, and they duly delivered 3-0 against a disappointing Italy side who once again fell short of glory.

They have now failed to turn six last-four appearances into gold and tonight's showing presented two-time champions Brazil with a straightforward semi-final workout as they cantered through in straight sets in just 79 minutes.

Their reward is a Sunday meeting with Russia where they will look to go one step further than they did in Beijing four years ago, when they were undone in the final by the USA.

Russia will present a different challenge to that - their game is built on aggression and power rather than the USA's guile - but based on this showing, Brazil will be more than ready for it.

Even shorn of the talents of injured captain Giba and Leandro Vissotto, they still had far too much for Italy to handle, with Wallace stepping in to the starting line-up.

Brazil took control from the start and never looked back, out-scoring their opponents on both the spike and block, with Murilo in particular enjoying himself with 15 points.

Wallace was the driving force, though, with his looming presence down the middle far too much for Italy to handle and, even if Leandro is fit for the final, Wallace will surely retain his place.

He and Murilo stifled Italy, with only Cristian Savani putting up any kind of fight with 15 points. His nearest team-mate had six, with the likes of Ivan Zaytsev and Michal Lasko ineffective.

Italy were never able to get going, with their reception poor and setting off-target. Brazil, however, were superb, finding their hitters in a matter of seconds and very rarely failing to find the floor.

Even when they were put under pressure they got out of trouble, with Murilo clambering into the photographers' pit to retrieve one ball.

Italy must now dust themselves down for a bronze medal shoot-out with Bulgaria on Sunday, while Brazil will look to add to the titles they won in 2004 and 1992.

They have met Russia seven times in Games competition, winning three of them.