MACEIÓ – The opening round of the 6th World University Beach Volleyball Championship in Maceió (AL), was played under a bright sun and with temperatures above 29ºC, yesterday September 12th, at Pajuçara beach.
The athletes faced the heat and played over forty games for the qualifying phase of the tournament. “And in the main square the heat is even greater. A true melting pot”, said player Luana. Luana and her partner Julia Schmidt are one of the four pairs representing Brazil at this WUC. For group H, Luana/Julia played two games: they defeated the Japanese Team but lost to Thailand. “Japan, on the court or on the sand, is always a difficult opponent, they run and defend a lot. Thailand is a high-profile team and we did not know them”, said Luana, a law student. Teammates Pauline and Rachel beat their Canadian opponents at the tie-brake .
In the men’s tournament, Luciano Alvaro won both games against Janiak/Sobzak from Poland and Americans Casebeer/Montgomery. Luciano played in the 2010 WUC, in Turkey, along with Vinicius, and was placed fourth, the best result for Brazil so far in this tournament. This year, playing at home, the goal is to reach the podium.
Vinícius and Raphael, Champions of the Brazilian University League of Beach Volley 2012, lost both games in this opening round. “It’s our first international tournament and it’s tough facing teams with different styles and cultures. But I am relaxed and focus on the court to play better”, pointed Raphael.
The German double Dolinger/Shroder and Bergmann/Stiel and the Polish team Kantor/Kujawiak confirmed their strength winning their matches.
Fifty doubles (26 female and 24 male) compete at this 6th edition of the WUC Beach Volleyball. The games continue today (13/09) with another round for the qualifying phase, beginning at 9am.
RESULTS
(Source: Pollyanna Pádua – Photos: Thiago Parmalat)
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