Watch A Call Get Blown In Beach Volleyball

The Spanish volleyball team was ahead 13-12 in the third set against the American team when they found themselves on the wrong end of a call — and then they lost. Here's how one ref blew it.

Where It Began

Phil Dalhausser set up a perfect ball for Todd Rogers to send over the net.

Blocked!

He was met with opposition by Spaniard Pablo Herrera.

The Chest Touch

The blocked ball hit Rogers' chest.

The Bobble

The ball then rolled down his arm to his fist, where he managed to punch it over to Dalhausser. The Spanish team argued this counted as two consecutive touches by the same player, which isn't allowed — and, after the match, Rogers admitted that he thinks the referee should have called a violation on the play.

The Re-Set

But the ref stayed silent — he later said that he believed Rogers' contact with the ball was one fluid blocking motion, which is allowed — and Dalhausser dove to send the ball back up to Rogers.

The Finish

Rogers punched the ball over, and it fell undefended since the Spanish team believed the play should have been over because of the double touch.

The Aftermath

Petr David Josek / AP

Pablo Herrera then got a yellow card after he argued with officials; two points later, Spain had lost.

The Americans' win guaranteed their advance to the round of 16. But the Spanish team could still medal — they have another game in pool play and could still finish high enough to continue. And as heartless as it sounds, maybe now they'll learn to play through the calls.