Klagenfurt, Austria Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
29th - 30th July
Qualification Tournament
31st July - 2nd August
Main Draw
Lausanne, August 3 - Brazilian defending champion, Emanuel, and his new partner Loiola came out on top once again at the 2nd Austria Open, 7th stage of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, to win their first tournament together. In the final of this US$ 170,000 event, they defeated 12-8, 12-3 the US pair composed of Eric Fonoimoana, reigning "King of the Beach", and Dain Blanton, in the Klagenfurt Beach Volleyball Area at Wörther Lake. Overjoyed, the two Brazilians threw their caps into the crowd after they converted their fourth match-ball for victory. Loiola laughed with joy into the microphone: "A wonderful day for us!" He and Emanuel split US$ 32,000 prize money, the Americans US$ 23,000.
Despite the tropical heat, the Norwegians Kvalheim-Maaseide kept their cool during the match for 3rd place played in front of 4,500 spectators. The North Europeans took advantage of Paulao's ankle injury (a cancellation of the game was even discussed), came back from four points behind at 7-11 and finally made use of their seventh match-ball to win the game 16-14 after 73 minutes. The two Scandinavians were thrilled with their best result in this year's FIVB World Tour, after two fourth places in Toronto and Rio. Jan Kvalheim beamed: "This victory was twice as hard as usual because we didn't know until a few minutes before the game whether the Brazilians were going to play due to Paulao's injury."
Runners-up Fonoimoana-Blanton cruised their way into the tournament by easily beating their semi-final opponents Paulo Emilio-Paulao 15:3 in 51 minutes. Fonoimoana claimed that their success was due to their stronger mental condition: "The game was very close at first, but then the Brazilians kind of fell apart."
The second semi-final was also won pretty clearly. Last year's winner Emanuel and his partner Loiola beat the Norwegian pair 15-8 in 55 minutes. This victory moved Emanuel-Loiola two places higher in the FIVB World Ranking to 4th place.
Semifinals: Fonoimoana-Blanton USA vs. Paulo Emilio-Paulao BRA 15-3 51' Emanuel-Loiola BRA vs. Kvalheim-Maaseide NOR 15-8 55' Final 3rd-4th: Kvalheim-Maaseide NOR vs. Paulo Emilio-Paulao BRA 16-14 73' Finale 1st-2nd: Emanuel-Loiola BRA vs. Fonoimoana-Blanton USA 12-8, 12-3 80'
The reigning beach volleyball World Champions are no longer in the 2nd Wash & Go Open. Pará/Guilherme, who just managed a tight victory over the Austrian duo Berger/Kronthaler on Friday, were soundly defeated by Kent Steffes and Mike Withmarsh (USA) in the jam-packed Klagenfurt arena Saturday morning, losing 6:15. Olympic silver medalist Mike Whitmarsh was himself suprised about the relative ease of the victory. "We have played the two Brasilians a number of times, but until today all of the games have been really close. If we can just keep playing this well, we have a pretty good chance of winning here in Carinthia." However, the Americans didn't bring their top form with them into the next round. Steffes/Whitmarsh lost against Ze Marco/Ricardo (Brasil), two-time winners on this years tour, 10:15.
The main draw games were completed up to the semi-finals. The Norwegians Kvalheim/Maaseide, Fonoimoana/Blanton (USA) and the two Brasilian pairs Paulo Emilio/Paulao and last year's winner Emanuel, this year with his new partner Loiola, have all battled their way into the final four. Emanuel/Loiola had to defeat their countrymen Ze Marco/Ricardo 15:9 to make it into the semis. The semi-final matches (Kvalheim/Maaseide - Emanuel/Loiola, Fonoimoana/Blanton - Paulo Emilio/Paulao) will be played on Sunday, starting at 9:00 a.m. Finals: 3:00 p.m.
The fantastic atmosphere in the attractive Werthersee stadium reached its highest point yet. The wave crashed through the crowd with a loud "la ola", especially when the exciting Brasilian teams were on the court. Even the star guest Niki Lauda was infected by the South American atmosphere in Carinthia. The former Formula 1 World Champion, who is also a main sponsor of the Wash & Go Open, vouched for the "class and high quality" of the tournament.
More than 20,000 spectators have already made their way to the colorful tournament grounds on the Werthersee. More than 30,000 are expected.
Klagenfurt, Austria Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
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Klagenfurt, Austria Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
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Klagenfurt, Austria Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
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Plus eight teams qualifying through the QT
Notes: - points are as per standings in
the World Ranking on entry date - exact seed of each team will be communicated in
theTechnical Meeting
Qualification Tournament ( 29-30 July)
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