Vanuatu's Olympic beach volleyball dream is over, with Russia and the Czech Republic claiming the final women's berths in Rio.
Czech duo Marketa Slukova and Barbora Hermannova defeated top seeds Chen Xue and Xinyi Xia from China 15-12 in the golden set to take the first semi final 2-1.
They will compete in Pool B in Rio, alongside teams from Brazil, Spain and Argentina.
Hosts Russia prevailed in the second semi final with Ekaterina Birlova and Evgenia Ukolova taking the golden set in emphatic style 15-3 to confirm their place in Pool A in Rio, alongside teams from Brazil, Poland and the USA.
Linline Matauatu and Miller Pata. Photo: FIVB
Vanuatu won their opening two matches in Sochi but were eliminated at the quarter final stage after back to back defeats against Austria and the Czech Republic.
The top pairing of Linline Matauatu and Miller Pata won all four of their group matches against Ukraine, Colombia, Austria and Czech Republic but the second team of Loti Joe and Sherysyn Toko were unable to win a game.
Matauatu and Pata were beaten in golden sets against Austria and Czech Republic.
Marketa Slukova of Czech Republic vies with Miller Pata of Vanuatu. Photo: FIVB
