Brazil to meet US

Another explosive display of spiking by Destinee Hooker powered the US past South Korea into the final of the Olympic women's volleyball tournament on Thursday at Earls Court.

The 24-year-old scoring machine took her spiking tally for the tournament to 123 as she racked up 24 points for her side in a straight sets victory that was trickier than the score suggested against a tenacious South Korean side.

Runners-up to Brazil in 2008, the US team are attempting to win their country's first Olympic gold medal in women's volleyball at the 10th attempt.

The South Americans will stand in their way again after they won the day's second semi-final against Japan.

"I'm thrilled," said captain Lindsey Berg, who is refusing to let an Achilles injury deprive her of a final shot at Olympic gold in her third Games.

"That was a really tough match we had to focus every play. The match was played after 20 points, we didn't have our best match but we made plays after 20 points and that's what shows we're a good team," she told reporters.

The Americans raised their game when it mattered at the end of each set, claiming a 25-20 25-22 25-22 victory.

Hooker's ferocious interventions at the net, many from the accurate setting of Berg, proved the decisive factor.

"I tried not to make her hit so many balls every match but when it came down to it today she's the only person I was giving it to, she was incredible," Berg said.

South Korea's Kim Yeon-koung was almost as impressive, keeping the Americans on their toes throughout as she spiked 18 winners. She may well end the tournament as the leading points scorer but will have to settle for bronze at best.

Brazil banished the memory of their poor form early in the tournament to reach the final of the Olympic women's volleyball with an easy victory over Japan.

Since losing two pool games, to the US and South Korea, the reigning champions have found their form and were far too classy for Japan, winning 25-18 25-15 25-18 in front of hundreds of their noisy fans decked out in yellow and green.

Jaqueline Carvalho thumped home the winning point to spark wild celebrations as the south Americans set up a repeat of the 2008 Olympic final against the US.

Japan will play off against South Korea for the bronze medal.

"We still have one match and we want to do well," she said. "We are here to get a medal, otherwise everything we worked for here and to get here will be worthless."