By Jayme Monsanto, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO – Three Brazilian doubles dominated the podium of the Women’s event of The Hague Beach Volleyball Open. The competition took place last weekend in the Netherlands, and Larissa and Juliana claimed the gold medal. Talita and Maria Elisa took the silver medal, while the bronze was won by Vivian and Ângela. In the male event, Alison and Harley also claimed bronze.
The female final was disputed on Saturday, August 29 between Juliana/Larissa and Talita/Maria Elisa. Juliana/Larissa won by two sets to zero (21/14, 15/21 and 15/11). With the victory, they now have 7,160 points in the season ranking, passing their compatriots Talita and Maria Elisa, who have 6,960 points.
The gold medal won at The Hague by Juliana/Larissa was the seventh claimed by the double in thirteen World Tour events disputed so far this year. With just three more stops before the end of the World Tour, they and Talita/Maria Elisa are the only remaining teams who still have chances to win.
“We arrived on court very motivated for the final match. I’ve got to point out the great performance of my teammate Juliana in this match and in the entire Open. No wonder she was nominated best player of The Hague Open”, said Larissa, three-time champion of the Beach Volleyball World Tour with Juliana as partner.
In the third-place dispute, Vivian and Ângela defeated Czech duo Hajeckova and Novakova by two sets to one (21/14, 15/21 and 15/11), winning the bronze medal.
In the Men’s Event, Alison and Harley were defeated in the semifinals by Spanish double Herrera and Gavira, but managed to win the third place dispute, defeating the Estonian duo Kais and Vesik by two sets to one (19/21, 21/14 and 15/12). They left the Netherlands with a bronze medal.
The gold medal was claimed by Dutchmen Nummerdor and Schuil, who defeated Herrera and Gavira by two sets to one (21/17, 18/21 and 15/12) with massive support from the local audience. It was the first Beach Volleyball World Tour event ever disputed in the Netherlands, and was a clear success.
The next stop of the Beach Volleyball World Tour will be Spain for the female doubles. The womens-only Barcelona Open will take place between September 8 and 13. The male doubles will be back in action on October 26, at the Sanya Open in China.