Cristian Savani News

Russia proved the oldest sporting adage that its never over until the scoreboard says so as their men's volleyball team came back from the brink to snatch Olympic gold and spoil Brazil's party at the London Games on Sunday.

After falling short in its bid for a medal four years ago, Italy grabbed third place in the men's volleyball tournament at the London Games with a 3-1 victory over Bulgaria.

The result gave Russia its first volleyball gold and stopped Brazil men's from achieving the Olympics' first volleyball double gold since the Moscow Games of 1980 after the Brazilian women beat the United States in Saturday's final.

Italy won its fourth men's volleyball medal in the last five Olympics by beating Bulgaria for the bronze on Sunday.

Brazil defeated Italy in straight sets in men's Olympic volleyball Friday, earning its third consecutive trip to the gold-medal match, this time against Russia.