Press release n°3

Superb Brazilian duo and Swiss team at the Satellite FIVB Beach Volley Lausanne

Brazil, Canada and Switzerland were expected on the highest steps of the podium in this 18th edition of Satellite FIVB Beach Volley Lausanne. Austria created the surprise by joining the final quartet. Together with Switzerland and Brazil, they contributed to the elimination of the three Canadian pairs of the tournament. But the great winners are the Brazilians who finish 1st and 2nd as well as the Swiss pair Bleiker - Kertai who end on the 3rd place. The second women's exhibition tournament has been won by the Georgian pair which beat the fantastic Swiss pair Skrivan - Zumkehr, who charmed their public.

Switzerland, Canada and Brazil seemed to be the three favourite nations of this 18th edition of this FIVB tournament organized in Switzerland. It was without holding account of Austria, represented by the pair Hupfer - Schroffenegger P. Ranked only (!) 114th in the world FIVB classification before this tournament, the Austrian team did not lose until the semi-finals, as did the Brazilian pair Roberto Lopes / Fabio Guerra who were given a Wild Card. Saturday was a dark day for the three Canadian pairs, Binstock - J Kruger, Sewell - Podstawka and Ellingson - Saxton, since they were successively eliminated, finishing, for the two first, on the 5th place. It was very surprising that these two pairs did not reach the finals since they were respectively seeded nr. 1 and 2 of the Satellite FIVB Beach Volley Lausanne.

Sunday the Brazilians were logically crowned. In the 1st semi-final, Roberto Lopes - Fabio Guerra beat the Swiss pair 2-0. The second semi-final also ended in a Brazilian victory : Maciel – Bruno beat the Austrians Hupfer - Schroffenegger P. 2-0. An enthusiastic crowd vibrated with the exploits of the Swiss Bleiker - Kertai opposed to the Austrians Hupfer - Schroffenegger P. As during their others matches, the Swiss were brilliant and beat the Austrians 2-0 (22-20, 21-17). The stepped rows of seats all around the court were packed, also for the100% Brazilian Final. Very disputed, it finally saw the victory of the pair Maciel - Bruno in three sets against Wild Card team Roberto Lopes - Fabio Guerra (21-16, 17-21, 15-9).

Saturday the 2nd women's exhibition tournament took place. The level was particularly high; there were 4 pairs, of which a Swiss team, classified 70th in the FIVB ranking. This team was proud to have a player from Lausanne : Annik Skrivan, the only player from the French part of Switzerland involved in the national team of beach volleyball. With her partner, Nadine Zumkehr, they were anxious to do the best they could in front of the large public which came to encourage them. After having beaten the British pair Lucy Boulton - Denise Johns, 48th in the FIVB ranking, they lost against the best pair of the tournament, the Georgian pair (of Brazilian origin) Andrezza "Rtvelo" Martins - Cristine "Saka" Santanna, 32nd in the FIVB ranking. At the end, the Georgians won the final without surprise. The second place of the Swiss team represents an exploit considering their FIVB classification. Third, the Brazilians Naiana Rodrigues - Alexandra Silva and fourth the British Lucy Boulton - Denise Johns.

A Record was beaten at Park Volley : 36 teams participated in this tournament open to all, consolidating the organizers in their will to promote this popular sport in parallel with the international tournament. The 7th match of the "Personalities" was also a success. All voluntary, they linked their goodwill in favour of the Association of the Deaf Persons of the canton of Vaud. At the end of this friendly match, which saw the victory of the team of the "Personalities", the Committee offered a check of CHF 3'000. - to the Association of the Deaf Persons of the canton of Vaud.

Complete results on www.beachvolleylausanne.ch

Download the PDF version [75ko]

Lausanne, August 19th, 2007 / EP