Martins Plavins (left) and Janis Smedins of Latvia have another medal to add to their collection after winning gold at the Mazury Orlen Beach Volleyball Grand Slam in Poland.
The Latvians won the Mazury Orlen Grand Slam with 21-19, 22-20 victory. In the first set the agility of Plavins at the back of the court and Smedins’ presence at the net meant that after the initial exchanges they had the upper hand. In the second they edged ahead early on and despite the Austrians saving two match points, a Smedins block earned the pair gold.
“It is amazing,” Plavins said. “At the last two tournaments we didn’t expect anything, but at the Olympics we finished with the bronze and here we won our first World Tour gold. We were tired from the Olympics and came her by car and didn’t expect much.
The quaint resort area of Stare Jablonki, Poland, in the Mazury region once again became the center of the beach volleyball universe. TheFederation International Volleyball sanctioned $600,000 Mazury Orlen Grand Slam event had all the post London Olympics buzz as the next stop on the pro tour. The increasingly popular summertime event was once again held on the grounds of the Hotel Anders.
Last year’s defending gold medalists Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser of California reached the semifinals beating the Polish duo and local favorites, Mariusz Prudel and Grzegorz Fijalek, who were runners-up (silver medal) last year.
“They played it like a final. The Poles hit the ball great, had great defense and served the ball well,” Rogers said. “I thought it was a fun match to play. I love playing here; this is our third year we’ve been here and we always enjoy it.” The Americans took the bronze.
Juliana Felisberta and Larissa Franca won their fourth straight gold medal in the women’s side. The defending world champions beat Italy’s Greta Cicolari and Marta Menegatti.
The Brazilians were in control in the first set, but had to work harder in the second where they saved a set-point before they went on to win 21-16, 22-20. In the bronze medal match Katrin Holtwick and Ilka Semmler of Germany beat Evgenia Ukolova and Ekaterina Khomyakova of Russia.
“I think it is the people, they understand beach volleyball and they know the players,” Felisberta said. “We want to play here and I am really happy for Juliana and Larissa. I am so happy about the gold. We have won here four times in four years and I am so proud about that.
The Mazury Orlen Grand Slam in Stare Jablonki is the last of a FIVB eight grand slam events this season. The tournament site is located adjacent to Lake Szelag Maly.
Seven of the eight U.S. volleyball Olympians competed in Poland. The 2012 London gold medalist Kerri Walsh partnered with Nicole Branagh in the Polish tourney. The long-time Olympic partner for Walsh, Misty May-Treanor, retired after the London win.
As a news announcement, the Polish Volleyball Federation, Hotel Anders and Stare Jablonki have been awarded the FIVB Beach Volleyball SWATCH World Championships in 2014. Twenty-four men’s teams will compete.
By Raymond Rolak, Sports Editor