US and Brazil in volleyball final

The US team celebrate their semi-final victory over Cuba

The United States will face Brazil in the Olympic gold medal match of the women's volleyball competition on Saturday.

The US advanced after beating three-times Olympic champions Cuba 25-20 25-16 25-17 in the first semi-final.

It guarantees the US their best Olympic finish since they took silver in Los Angeles in 1984.

The Brazilians meanwhile overcame hosts China in three sets, 27-25 25-22 25-14, in the other semi-final.

Cuba will take on China in the bronze medal match.

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The US, who lost in three sets to Cuba in the preliminary round, took a 9-6 lead in the first set after Rosir Calderon's missed spike and held out to take the opener.

Danielle Scott-Arruda's ace helped the US move 8-4 ahead in the second and they extended their lead after more mistakes by Cuba.

Cuba could not respond in the third set and Kim Willoughby's spike sealed victory for the US.