Espinho, Portugal Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
29.July - 30.July
Qualification Tournament
31.July - 2.August
Main Draw (40 matches) / Departure of players not qualified for
the Main Draw
Lausanne, August 3 - The US pair Hanley-Fontana upset FIVB World ranking Brazilian leaders Sandra Pires-Adriana Samuel 12-11, 5-12, 11-13, to win the US$ 170,00 Portugal Open in Espinho, 5th stage of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. This was the first time that the American pair reached the podium this year and also the first time that a Brazilian team has not won a 1998 World Tour event.
The match for the third place was also an USA-Brazil confrontation. The US team Reno-Young finally won the Bronze medal by defeating the Brazilians Jackie Silva-Monica, Number 3 in the World Ranking, by 17-15. The match was very even and lasted 48 minutes. The team from USA managed to gain a comfortable advantage in the score up to 8-1, but rapidly the Brazilians got closer. After a tremendous effort by Monica and Jackie, who actually turned the score advantageous to them 15-14, the team paid the price of that effort and lost the match in the end.
Unfortunately, Jackie Silva, Olympic Gold Medallist, was injured during the competition and had to give up participating to the next World Tour event, next weekend's Japan Open. Monica already announced that she would play with Adriana Bento in Osaka. The first semi-final was an all-Brazilian affair with Sandra Pires-Adriana Samuel beating Monica Jackie Silva in a well-balanced match, whereas the second one was an all-American fight where Hanley-Fontana clearly defeated Reno-Youngs. Thanks to their second place in this Open, Sandra Pires-Adriana Samuel take the lead from compatriots Adriana Behar-Shelda in the new FIVB World Ranking.
Results Semi-finals: Sandra Pires-Adriana Samuel BRA vs. Monica-Jackie Silva BRA 16-14 53' Hanley-Fontana USA vs. Reno-Youngs USA 15-2 20' Final 3 -4 : Reno-Youngs USA vs. Monica-Jackie Silva BRA 17-15 48' Final 1 -2 : Hanley-Fontana USA vs. Sandra Pires-Adriana Samuel BRA 12-11, 5-12, 11-13 89'Next Women's World Tour Event: Japan Open, in Osaka, Aug. 7-9, 98. AUGUST 2
In the first set the Americans were always in advantage till the 11-7. Then after a fantastic recuperation the Brazilian team turned the scorer and won by 12-11. On the second set the Americans won again for 12-5. In the decisive set the balance came back but Hanley and Fontana were able to won by 13-11.
The public filled completely the seats of the wonderful Stadium built in Praia da Baía, Espinho. Along with cheers and chants, the public supported the two teams with slogans and great enthusiasm.
The third place was to the team of America Reno/Youngs who defeated the Brazilians Monica/Jackie by 17-15. The match was extremely even and lasted for 48 minutes. The team of the USA managed to gain a confortable advantage in the score up to 8-1, but soon the Brazilians got closer. However and after a tremendous effort by the Brasilians Monica and Jackie, who actually turned the score advantageous to them 15-14, the team payed the price of that effort and lost the match in the end. In the decisive match the team Reno/Youngs were superior and managed to get the necessary two points to win.
In the first semi-final of the day the Brazilians Sandra Pires/Adriana Samuel defeated the other Brazilian Monica/Jackie Silva by 16-14: the match lasted for 53 minutes and was greatly even.
In the other semi-final, played by two teams of USA, the team Hanley/Fontana clearly defeated Reno/Youngs by 15-2 in 20 minutes.
AUGUST 1
The wind was strong in Praia da Baía and the temperature was around 20 degrees but it was no obstacle for the matches that were sensationaly played. The matches were spectaculary played during the whole day, which contributed to the large number of people present in the Beach Stadium: 4,000 spectators.
The Japanese team Ishizaka/Rii Saiki, presently 36th in the World Ranking managed to qualify in the 7th position after being defeated by the Germans Schmidt/Staub 15-12. After this victory the German team lost to the North-Americans Reno/Youngs in a decisive match for the semi-finals.
Another match worth of highlight was the one opposing Cook/Fenwick (AUS) and Monica/Jackie (BRA). After highly balanced moments, the Brasilians won some advantage in the score in the final part of the match, winning by 15-10.
Tomorrow the first semi-final will start at 9:30am opposing two teams from Brazil: Sandra Pires/Adriana Samuel and Monica/Jackie Silva.
The other semi-final between Hanley/Fontana (USA) and Reno Youngs (USA) will start immediately after.
The match for the 3rd and 4th places is scheduled for 3:00pm and the Final for 4:45pm and will be broadcasted live in the national channel RTP2.
Espinho, Portugal Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
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Espinho, Portugal Open, 31 Jul.-02 August 1998
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Espinho, Portugal 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 ( )
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Notes:
- points are as per standings in the World Ranking on entry date
- exact seed of each team will be communicated in the Technical Meeting
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