08/07/2012 17:00
Italian duo takes bronze at FIVB Grand Slam in Gstaad
News from the FIVB
Gstaad, Switzerland, July 8, 2012. With the sun intermittently breaking through until it shone brightly upon the sold-out Gstaad Stadium center court, USA’s Jake Gibb/Sean Rosenthal survived a classic rematch from the last tour stop to capture their fourth gold medal on the FIVB Beach Volleyball SWATCH World Tour on Sunday, concluding the week-long $600,000 1to1 energy Grand Slam in Gstaad, Switzerland.
In a remake of the gold medal match in Rome from June 16, USA’s third-seeded Gibb/Rosenthal won their second straight Grand Slam event by once again defeating Brazil’s second-seeded and reigning FIVB SWATCH World Champions Alison Cerutti/Emanuel Rego. The Gstaad gold medal match was a two-set victory for the Americans like Rome, but unlike Rome, this game was much closer with Gibb/Rosenthal defeating Alison/Emanuel by twin scores of 21-17, 21-17 in 38 minutes.
In the bronze medal match, Italy’s 13th-seeded Daniele Lupo/Paolo Nicolai started fast in both sets and successfully held off any comeback attempt as they defeated USA’s top-seeded and 2008 Olympic champions Phil Dalhausser/Todd Rogers, 21-19 and 21-18 in 38 minutes. Lupo and Nicolai have played 14 World Tour events together and this was their third final-four appearance and their first bronze medal in their still short partnership. With both teams having qualified for the upcoming 2012 London Olympics, the World Tour series between the two teams now has Italy leading 2-1, USA’s Dalhausser/Rogers won the first meeting in Shanghai, China this year and Italy’s Lupo/Nicolai won the second in Beijing in mid-May prior to Sunday’s match.
After the 1to1 energy Grand Slam, the 2012 FIVB SWATCH World Tour continues with the next Grand Slam double-gender event through July 10-15 in Berlin. After that the tour moves to Klagenfurt, Austria, for the A1 Grand Slam presented by ERGO. The total prize money for each Grand Slam event is $600,000.
For further information visit www.fivb.org
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