The American men’s team of Dalhausser and Rogers advanced to the Olympic beach volleyball semi-finals by beating the German team of Klemperer/Koreng 21-13, 25-23.

The game was tainted by the first red card of the Olympics and only the sixth such penalty in the sport’s Olympic history. Germany’s Eric Koreng was first given a warning after complaining to the referee that Dalhausser — who had six blocks — had reached over the net to steal a pass. When he persisted the referee raised the red card and a point was given to Dalhausser/Rogers that broke an 8-8 tie in game two.

Rogers told the Associated Press afterward he was bothered by the referee’s actions, saying the penalty was “Just not the right thing.”

Rogers was diplomatic. He thought although the German team was taking their frustrations out on the referee, he told the official, “I thought that’s a little quick. Just a little quick on the draw.”

In Wednesday’s semi-final, the duo will face the surprising Georgian team of Renato Gomes and Jorge Terceiro, native Brazilians who became Georgian citizens to dodge the Olympic quota of two men’s and two women’s teams per country.

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