| | Event type
Beach Volleyball, Women
| Date | 9 – 21 August 2008 | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Olympic | |
| Location | Chaoyang Gongyuan Shatan Paiqiu Chang, Beijing | |
| Participants | 48 from 17 countries | |
| Format | Top 16 teams from round-robin pools advanced to the single-elimination tournament. | |
After winning the 2004 gold medal, Misty May and Kerri Walsh had continued their dominance of the women’s pro tour and were overwhelming favorites in Beijing. Since the 2004 Olympics both women had married, and Misty was now Misty May-Treanor, married to major league baseball player Matt Treanor. Walsh married pro beach player Casey Jennings, but was still known only as Kerri Walsh. As they had in 2004, May-Treanor/Walsh played 7 matches and 14 sets, and won them all. But in general the matches were closer than they had been in 2008. The final was played in a downpour against the Chinese pair of Tian Jia and Wang Jie, a rematch of the 2007 World Championships final. Tian and Wang led the first set at 18-17, but May-Treanor and Walsh won the last four points to prevail, 21-18. The Americans got an early lead in the second set, but the Chinese pulled back to lead 9-8. However, May-Treanor and Walsh had too much in the end and won, 21-18, 21-18. The second Chinese team of Xue Chen and Zhang Xi won the bronze medal.
Preliminary Round (9 – 14 August 2008)
Group A (9 – 13 August 2008)
| Pos | Competitor(s) | NOC | Wins | Losses | Points | Sets For | SA | Points For | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | People's Republic of China 1 |  CHN | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 149 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Norway 1 |  NOR | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 130 | 121 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Belgium |  BEL | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 135 | 134 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Switzerland |  SUI | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 93 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Match #1 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-18 | Simone Kuhn / Lea Schwer | SUI |
| Match #2 | Kathrine Maaseide / Susanne Glesnes | NOR | 2 – 0 24-22, 21-18 | Liesbeth Mouha / Liesbet Van Breedam | BEL |
| Match #3 | Kathrine Maaseide / Susanne Glesnes | NOR | 2 – 0 21-11, 21-17 | Simone Kuhn / Lea Schwer | SUI |
| Match #4 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN | 2 – 1 18-21, 21-19, 15-13 | Liesbeth Mouha / Liesbet Van Breedam | BEL |
| Match #5 | Liesbeth Mouha / Liesbet Van Breedam | BEL | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-17 | Simone Kuhn / Lea Schwer | SUI |
| Match #6 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN | 2 – 1 17-21, 21-14, 15-8 | Kathrine Maaseide / Susanne Glesnes | NOR |
Group B (10 – 14 August 2008)
| Pos | Competitor(s) | NOC | Wins | Losses | Points | Sets For | SA | Points For | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States 1 |  USA | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 126 | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Cuba 2 |  CUB | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 116 | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Norway 2 | NOR | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 108 | 111 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Japan |  JPN | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 88 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Match #1 | Dalixia Fernández / Tamara Larrea | CUB | 2 – 0 22-20, 21-19 | Nila Håkedal / Ingrid Tørlen | NOR |
| Match #2 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-15 | Mika Saiki / Chiaki Kusuhara | JPN |
| Match #3 | Nila Håkedal / Ingrid Tørlen | NOR | 2 – 0 21-8, 21-18 | Mika Saiki / Chiaki Kusuhara | JPN |
| Match #4 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 21-15, 21-16 | Dalixia Fernández / Tamara Larrea | CUB |
| Match #5 | Dalixia Fernández / Tamara Larrea | CUB | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-17 | Mika Saiki / Chiaki Kusuhara | JPN |
| Match #6 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-15 | Nila Håkedal / Ingrid Tørlen | NOR |
Group C (9 – 13 August 2008)
| Pos | Competitor(s) | NOC | Wins | Losses | Points | Sets For | SA | Points For | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia |  AUS | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 143 | 113 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Brazil 2 |  BRA | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 156 | 139 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Georgia |  GEO | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 124 | 154 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Russian Federation |  RUS | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 140 | 157 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Match #1 | Ana Paula / Larissa | BRA | 2 – 1 23-25, 21-17, 15-5 | Saka / Rtvelo | GEO |
| Match #2 | Tamsin Barnett / Natalie Cook | AUS | 2 – 1 21-8, 19-21, 15-12 | Nataliya Uryadova / Aleksandra Shiryayeva | RUS |
| Match #3 | Ana Paula / Larissa | BRA | 2 – 1 19-21, 21-12, 15-13 | Nataliya Uryadova / Aleksandra Shiryayeva | RUS |
| Match #4 | Tamsin Barnett / Natalie Cook | AUS | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-12 | Saka / Rtvelo | GEO |
| Match #5 | Tamsin Barnett / Natalie Cook | AUS | 2 – 0 23-21, 23-21 | Ana Paula / Larissa | BRA |
| Match #6 | Saka / Rtvelo | GEO | 2 – 1 10-21, 22-20, 15-12 | Nataliya Uryadova / Aleksandra Shiryayeva | RUS |
Group D (10 – 14 August 2008)
| Pos | Competitor(s) | NOC | Wins | Losses | Points | Sets For | SA | Points For | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | People's Republic of China 2 | CHN | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 139 | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Germany 2 |  GER | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 119 | 102 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Greece 1 |  GRE | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 127 | 120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | South Africa |  RSA | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 68 | 126 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Match #1 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN | 2 – 1 21-18, 19-21, 15-12 | Thaleia Koutroumanidou / Maria Tsiartsiani | GRE |
| Match #2 | Stephanie Pohl / Okka Rau | GER | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-14 | Judith Augoustides / Vita Nel | RSA |
| Match #3 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN | 2 – 0 21-14, 21-18 | Stephanie Pohl / Okka Rau | GER |
| Match #4 | Thaleia Koutroumanidou / Maria Tsiartsiani | GRE | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-8 | Judith Augoustides / Vita Nel | RSA |
| Match #5 | Stephanie Pohl / Okka Rau | GER | 2 – 0 24-22, 21-12 | Thaleia Koutroumanidou / Maria Tsiartsiani | GRE |
| Match #6 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN | 2 – 0 21-13, 21-9 | Judith Augoustides / Vita Nel | RSA |
Group E (9 – 13 August 2008)
| Pos | Competitor(s) | NOC | Wins | Losses | Points | Sets For | SA | Points For | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States 2 | USA | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 139 | 129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Germany 1 | GER | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 117 | 115 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Cuba 1 | CUB | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 130 | 117 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Netherlands |  NED | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 107 | 132 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Match #1 | Sara Goller / Laura Ludwig | GER | 2 – 0 21-17, 21-19 | Imara Estévez / Milagros Crespo | CUB |
| Match #2 | Nicole Branagh / Elaine Youngs | USA | 2 – 0 21-19, 27-25 | Rebekka Kadijk / Merel Mooren | NED |
| Match #3 | Nicole Branagh / Elaine Youngs | USA | 2 – 0 21-17, 21-16 | Sara Goller / Laura Ludwig | GER |
| Match #4 | Imara Estévez / Milagros Crespo | CUB | 2 – 0 21-11, 21-15 | Rebekka Kadijk / Merel Mooren | NED |
| Match #5 | Sara Goller / Laura Ludwig | GER | 2 – 0 21-19, 21-18 | Rebekka Kadijk / Merel Mooren | NED |
| Match #6 | Nicole Branagh / Elaine Youngs | USA | 2 – 1 21-19, 13-21, 15-12 | Imara Estévez / Milagros Crespo | CUB |
Group F (10 – 14 August 2008)
| Pos | Competitor(s) | NOC | Wins | Losses | Points | Sets For | SA | Points For | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil 1 | BRA | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 139 | 121 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Austria |  AUT | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 121 | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Mexico |  MEX | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 124 | 146 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Greece 2 | GRE | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 125 | 137 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Match #1 | Talita / Renata | BRA | 2 – 1 18-21, 21-16, 15-8 | Bibiana Candelas / Mayra Aide García | MEX |
| Match #2 | Stefanie Schwaiger / Doris Schwaiger | AUT | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-18 | Vaso Karadasiou / Viky Arvaniti | GRE |
| Match #3 | Talita / Renata | BRA | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-19 | Stefanie Schwaiger / Doris Schwaiger | AUT |
| Match #4 | Bibiana Candelas / Mayra Aide García | MEX | 2 – 1 21-17, 16-21, 15-12 | Vaso Karadasiou / Viky Arvaniti | GRE |
| Match #5 | Stefanie Schwaiger / Doris Schwaiger | AUT | 2 – 0 21-17, 21-10 | Bibiana Candelas / Mayra Aide García | MEX |
| Match #6 | Talita / Renata | BRA | 2 – 0 22-20, 21-19 | Vaso Karadasiou / Viky Arvaniti | GRE |
Lucky Loser Round (14 August 2008)
Winners of each match advanced to the round one.
| Match #1 | Liesbeth Mouha / Liesbet Van Breedam | BEL | 2 – 0 21-13, 21-19 | Saka / Rtvelo | GEO |
| Match #2 | Nila Håkedal / Ingrid Tørlen | NOR | 2 – 1 20-22, 21-12, 15-11 | Bibiana Candelas / Mayra Aide García | MEX |
Round One (15 August 2008)
Winners of each match advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Match #1 | Ana Paula / Larissa | BRA | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-14 | Sara Goller / Laura Ludwig | GER |
| Match #2 | Talita / Renata | BRA | 2 – 1 12-21, 21-19, 15-13 | Kathrine Maaseide / Susanne Glesnes | NOR |
| Match #3 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN | 2 – 0 21-19, 21-13 | Imara Estévez / Milagros Crespo | CUB |
| Match #4 | Stefanie Schwaiger / Doris Schwaiger | AUT | 2 – 1 23-21, 11-21, 18-16 | Stephanie Pohl / Okka Rau | GER |
| Match #5 | Tamsin Barnett / Natalie Cook | AUS | 2 – 1 22-20, 19-21, 15-12 | Thaleia Koutroumanidou / Maria Tsiartsiani | GRE |
| Match #6 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN | 2 – 0 21-13, 21-15 | Nila Håkedal / Ingrid Tørlen | NOR |
| Match #7 | Nicole Branagh / Elaine Youngs | USA | 2 – 0 21-15, 21-13 | Dalixia Fernández / Tamara Larrea | CUB |
| Match #8 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 24-22, 21-11 | Liesbeth Mouha / Liesbet Van Breedam | BEL |
Quarter-Finals (17 August 2008)
Winners of each match advanced to the semi-finals.
| Match #1 | Talita / Renata | BRA | 2 – 0 24-22, 21-14 | Tamsin Barnett / Natalie Cook | AUS |
| Match #2 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN | 2 – 0 21-17, 21-13 | Nicole Branagh / Elaine Youngs | USA |
| Match #3 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-12 | Stefanie Schwaiger / Doris Schwaiger | AUT |
| Match #4 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-15 | Ana Paula / Larissa | BRA |
Semi-Finals (19 August 2008)
Winners of each match advanced to the final match.
| Match #1 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN | 2 – 1 22-24, 29-27, 15-8 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN |
| Match #2 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 21-12, 21-14 | Talita / Renata | BRA |
Final Round (21 – 21 August 2008)
| Match 1/2 | Misty May-Treanor / Kerri Walsh Jennings | USA | 2 – 0 21-18, 21-18 | Tian Jia / Wang Jie | CHN |
| Match 3/4 | Xue Chen / Zhang Xi | CHN | 2 – 0 21-19, 21-17 | Talita / Renata | BRA |