RIO DE JANEIRO -- On their left was the United States, the birthplace of beach volleyball and the most successful country in its Olympic history.To their right was one of two Brazilian womens teams to reach the medal round on their home sand at Copacabana beach, the sports spiritual home.But there on the top step of the medal podium were Germanys Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, claiming the second straight Olympic gold medal for their homeland and establishing it as a power in the beach volleyball world.Im speechless, Ludwig said after the 21-18, 21-14 victory over Brazils reigning world champions Wednesday night.Four years after the German men claimed the countrys first Olympic beach volleyball title, Ludwig and Walkenhorst beat the reigning world champions from Brazil to give the country its first womens beach volleyball medal.My feeling was, If they can do it, we can do it, said Ludwig, who finished fifth in 2012 and was in the stands for the mens final in London. Its a pity because never in a big tournament have we (German women) had this success. But also, happy because we are the first.Agatha and Barbara took silver just hours after Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross beat Brazils other womens team. Larissa and Talita lost in the semifinals to the Germans, spoiling the hosts hopes for an all-Brazilian final.We would have liked a final with the Brazilians. It would have been very beautiful, Agatha said. But the Germans deserved the final, and they deserved the medal.With top-seeded Alison and Bruno in the mens final against Italy on Thursday, the hosts have clinched no worse than a silver, with a chance for their first gold since 2004.Of course, we wanted to win the match. But we are very proud about the medal. I think all Brazilians are proud about this medal, Agatha said. We have one medal, and we must be happy with the silver. We have one more chance with the men.The Americans in the crowd seemed to all stick around for the medal ceremony that started after 1 a.m. local time. And the Germans waving their tricolor flag were just as loud when their women were presented with the gold.But many Brazilians began heading for the exits during the final points in the championship match -- it was late, and it was a disappointing night for the host nation with two losses in as many matches.The German women had never won a medal in beach volleyball. The countrys men hadnt reached the Olympic podium since a bronze on Bondi Beach in Sydney in 2000 until Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann took gold in London, beating Brazil in the final.But Ludwig and Walkenhorst pulled away midway through the first set and played better in a wind that picked up during the night.We said, Well take the storm and make our own storm, Ludwig said. Mike Macfarlane Jersey . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Kyle Zimmer Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. https://www.cheaproyals.com/1087a-luke-hochevar-jersey-royals.html .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Kansas City Royals Gear . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Yordano Ventura Jersey .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. HOUSTON -- Rob Gray Jr. made 4 of 4 3-pointers and scored 23 points, Damyean Dotson had 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Houston ran away with a 105-61 win over Prairie View A&M on Saturday night.Devin Davis had 14 points, Armoni Brooks 12 and Wes VanBeck 10 for the Cougars (6-1), who came into the game off an 84-69 loss at LSU on Tuesday after opening the season with five straight victories.Zachary Hamilton and Shaquille Preston hit 3-pointers in the ffirst two minutes to give Prairie View A&M (2-6) a 6-4 lead, but Houston used a 20-1 run to kill any upset threat.dddddddddddd The Cougars led 47-29 at halftime and by as many as 45 points in the second half.Houston outrebounded Prairie View A&M 50-24 and shot 55.2 percent from the field compared to the Panthers 37 percent. ' ' '