Natalia Dubovcova (left) and Domimka Nestarcova celebrate Slovakian victory in the women's draw ©FIVB

Teams from Slovakia and Brazil each achieved the unusual feat of recovering from two pool-stage defeats to reach the semi-finals of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Olsztyn Grand Prix in Poland.

Twenty-third seeded Natalia Dubovcova and Dominika Nestarcova needed to beat three Olympic-bound pairs in successive rounds to progress, and duly did that with three clinical victories.

First, they overcame top-seeded Kinga Kolosinska and Monika Brzostek of Poland 25-27, 21-16, 15-11 in 56 minutes before a similarly tough 21-18, 15-21, 16-14 victory in 47 minutes over fourth-seeded Sarah Pavan and Heather Bansley of Canada.

They then overcame Madelein Meppelink and Marleen Van Iersel of The Netherlands 21-17, 21-19 in 36 minutes to set-up a semi-final against second-seeded Brazilians Talita Antunes and Larissa Franca.

The Slovak duo will compete next week in the European Volleyball Federation (CEV) Continental Cup Finals in Norway for a shot at an Olympic berth.

Brazilian qualifiers Eduarda “Duda” Lisboa and Elize Maia were similarly successful.

Elize Maia and Eduarda Lisboa of Brazil were among other winners as elimination action continued ©Getty Images
Elize Maia and Eduarda Lisboa of Brazil were among other winners as elimination action continued ©Getty Images

After eliminating 12th-seeded Marketa Slukova and Barbora Hermannova of Czech Republic 21-14, 21-12 in 27 minutes and 16th-seeded Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude of Germany 21-18, 23-21 in 33 minutes, they were forced to three sets against Swiss rivals Nina Betschart and Tanja Huberli.

They battled hard to a 21-11, 19-21, 15-12 win in 38 minutes to advance to their fifth FIVB World Tour “final four” in 11 international starts together.

They will now meet third-seeded Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst of Germany.

Men's elimination matches are scheduled for tomorrow, as well the women's semi-finals.