London's Steve Grotowski represents Team GB in Beach Volleyball

Olympics Beach Volleyball: Great Britain (Grotowski/Garcia-Thompson) lose to Brazil (Ricardo/Cunha) 17-21, 12-21

Wimbledon-born Steve Grotowski and teammate John Garcia-Thompson put in a gutsy showing against beach volleyball favourites Brazil but were unable to spring a surprise in their Pool F clash.

In front of a boisterous Horse Guards Parade crowd, the British duo started the first set well but were soon pegged back by world champions Brazil.

Despite some excellent attacking play from UK number one Grotowski, the experienced Brazilian duo of Ricardo Santos and Pedro Cunha defended resolutely, blocking the Brits’ spikes and hitting back strongly.

But with the home crowd’s support ringing in their ears, the British duo pushed the Brazilians all the way in the first set, eventually going down 17-21.

It was in the second set that the gulf in class began to show, as Grotowski and Garcia-Thompson, Great Britain’s first ever beach volleyball entrants, were overwhelmed.

Ricardo and Cunha quickly opened up a commanding lead, and despite some encouraging moments the British pair went on to lose 12-21 to give Brazil a straight sets victory.

After back-to-back defeats to Canada and Brazil, underdogs Great Britain go into their final Pool F match against Norway on Wednesday knowing that qualification will probably be beyond them.