Chinese beach volleyball men's duo Wu Penggen/Xu Linyin stopped short of going further on Saturday.
They were eliminated by German pair David Klemperer and Eric Koreng in a round of 16 match.
The first set was 21-15 in favor of the visitors and they continued their winning momentum in the second set, prevailing over the hosts with 21:18.
"Our rhythm of attacks was broken by them," said Wu after the match.
"We made too many mistakes and the German team played very well. Their offensives were very firm," said the 2.02-meter Xu, whose usual efficiency at the net was curbed in the match.
The Germans won Jorre Kjemperud/Tarjei Skarlund of Norway in the preliminary round to finish third in their pool and managed to advance by beating Emiel Boersma/Bram Ronnes of the Netherlands in a "lucky loser" match of the last four third-placed teams.
Ranking eighth on the Olympic qualification rankings, the Germans said they didn't play to their normal standard in the first round.
"We had a slow start and we didn't play well in the first round," said Koreng after the match.
"But we know we had to play better and we made readjustments and preparations. We are happy to win today. The Chinese team is a very strong team," he added.
"To win the Chinese team may be the best game in our life," Klemperer said.
For the first time at the Olympics, Wu/Xu remained unbeaten in the preliminary round to advance.
(Xinhua News August 16, 2008)