Germany's Sara Goller and Laura Ludwig claimed a three-set victory over Australia's Becchara Palmer and Louise Bawden in a Pool E beach volleyball match at the London Olympics on Sunday.
The German duo were made to work hard across the first two sets but rarely looked in trouble in the decider as the Australians - making their Olympic debut - ran out of ideas in the London drizzle.
After impressing in the opening set, Germany wobbled early in the second as mistakes began to creep in, and when Palmer spiked to take it to a decider a minor upset was on the cards.
But Germany stepped it up when it mattered most, with Goller in particular excelling with some telling plays at the net.
And it was the 28-year-old's block on match point that sealed a 21-18 19-21 15-8 triumph.
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