An overview of 2012 SWATCH FIVB Women’s World Tour – Beach Volleyball

In the running season, women’s first event of the SWATCH FIVB World Tour, took place in Brasilia, Brazil. The season opening tournament had an amazing run from April 15-20. Aspiring female beach volleyball tandems from all across the globe headed for Brazil and showcased their skilful play.

The tournament started off with the Country Quota Playoffs. The second stage of the tournament featured Qualification matches, while the successful teams advanced to the 32-team Main Draw. Next up, the quarter-finals and final four rounds took centre stage. The pairing of Chen Xue and Zhang Xi staged a consistent performance and paved their way to the final four. They clashed with top rival Talita Antunes and Maria Antonelli in the final showdown of the tournament. The home duo had a lot of support from local fans, but Chinese pair sparked on the scene and marched away with gold-medal victory.
Italy’s Cicolari–Menegatti finished third at the Brasilia Open Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament.

The SWATCH FIVB World Tour made its second stop in Sanya, China. Talita-Antonelli, who lost the Brasilia Open title put up valiant effort and managed to secure the gold in China. Chinese Xue-Zhang lost the semi-final match and ended up with bronze. However, two Brazilian duos advanced to the final match and competed for gold. Talita-Antonelli overpowered compatriots Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca in the final encounter and tallied a gold medal win.

Third tournament of the 2012 SWATCH FIVB World Tour was again hosted by China. The Shanghai Grand Slam started off on April 30 and concluded on May 5.

The dynamic Chinese pair Xue-Zhang delighted the home fans with wonderful feats throughout the tournament. Eventually, they got their hands on the first Grand Slam title of the season. They defeated their conventional rivals Brazil’s Talita-Antonelli. Likewise, Juliana-Larissa secured the bronze.
In the next run, the Beijing Grand Slam got the green light and provided an excellent opportunity for Brazilian Juliana-Larissa to take the No1 spot in the competition. They defeated Italy’s Cicolari–Menegatti. Third spot was secured by Dutch Keizer–van Iersel.

Moscow hosted the fifth tournament of the 2012 SWATCH FIVB World Tour. Xue-Zhang took away the gold, while American Walsh-Treanor and Brazil’s Juliana-Larissa finished second and third, respectively.
Moscow Grand Slam
was followed by Rome Grand Slam from June 12-17. Switzerland’s Kuhn–Zumkehr came on top and seized the title trophy by edging out German Sara Gollar and Lara Ludwig. American Jennifer Kessy and April Ross finished third in the tournament.

 

Lili and Vieira of Brazil clinch success at the Country Quota Playoffs of Rome Grand Slam

The 2012 Smart Grand Slam Rome, the women’s beach volleyball tournament, started off on Tuesday, June 12.

The opening stage of the tournament featured a Country Quota Playoffs. Duos for Brazil, Germany, and USA competed at the CQs, in order to advance to the qualifying round of the tournament. 

In the Brazilian CQs, the pairing of Liliane Maestrini and Angela Vieira came into contest with compatriots Maria Clara and Raquel. After a heated competition, the duo of Lili-Vieira emerged successful. They posted 2-0 (25-23, 21-19) victory over rivals and advanced to the Qualification Tournament. 

To check out the result sheet, please click the following link: http://www.fivb.org/EN/BeachVolleyball/Competitions/WorldTour/2012/Event/Results.asp?TournCode=WITA2012&Phase=0

German duo makes it to the qualifying round of Prague Open - Beach Volleyball

The 2012 Prague Open men’s beach volleyball tournament kicked off in Czech Republic on Tuesday, May 22.

The opening day of the tournament featured the Country Quota Playoffs. Tandems from Brazil, Germany, and Czech Republic contested their skills to clinch the qualification berths. In the German CQs, duo of Markus Böckermann and Mischa Urbatzka came on top. They finished the first stage of the tournament with 2-0 record and clawed their way to the Qualification Tournament, which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday.

To read more about the German Country Quota Playoffs, you may click to the following link:
http://blogs.bettor.com/B%C3%B6ckermann-Urbatzka-earns-qualification-via-German-Country-Quota-Playoffs-Volleyball-news-a156447

Brief overview of women's Country Quota Playoff at the 2012 Brasilia Open

The 2012 SWATCH World Tour kicked off on Sunday, April 15 with the advent of Brasilia Open. In the women's section, duos from Brazil and Germany competed at the Country Quota Playoffs on day-1. A total of six Brazilian tandems fought for the berths in the Qualification Tournament, while Germany had only two pairs in CQ stage.

Maria Clara-Raquel and Shaylyn-Leã of Brazil opened the day with a three-set match, where former posted 2-1 (21-18, 23-25, 15-13) victory. On the other court, German pair of Borger and Büthe defeated compatriots Bieneck and Großne. They finished the match in straight sets of 2-0 (21-17, 21-16).

In the other other two Country Quota matches, Brazilian Agatha-Seixas and Érica Freitas-Damasio B. Soares clinched success. The first duo stamped 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) win over Michelle Carvalho-Soares, while second winning pair claimed 2-1 (21-12, 19-21, 15-12) victory against the duo of Renata and Elize Maia.

Hence, the four winning duos qualified for next stage of the tournament whereas loser got eliminated.