Brazilian Country Quota playoffs at 2011 FIVB Swatch ConocoPhillips Grand Slam
The 2011 FIVB Swatch ConocoPhillips Grand Slam Stavanger took centre stage on Monday, June 27.
A total of 170 beach volleyball duos from all across five continents entered the competition. The grid of 170 teams included 94 men’s pairings and 76 women’s tandems. The ConocoPhillips Grand Slam Stavanger in Norway is the 5th double-gender competition
featured on 2011 SWATCH FIVB World Tour Calendar, which will offer the prize money of $600,000 to triumphant duos. The tournament has the same pattern like previous SWATCH FIVB Events. The scrimmage started out with the Country Quota Playoffs, where teams
from Brazil, Germany and United States competed for berths in the Qualification Tournament.
Brazil is playing with 8 men’s and 6 women’s duos in the competition. In the women’s section, three Brazilian teams had to appear at the CQs, while the other two teams are scheduled to open the game in Main-Draw. The following three tandems played at the
CQs.
Taiana Lima and Vivian Cunha Liliane Maestrini and Angela Vieira, Priscilla Lese Lima and Renata Ribeiro
In the men’s section, there was just one match between Thiago-Harley and Ferramenta-Pedro.
Women’s Country Quota Playoffs
In the first Country Quota Playoff, Lili-Vieira ousted Lese-Renata in two straight sets. They posted 21-19 and 21-18 on board and claimed the victory. Lilie served with great accuracy and put away early points on the score board. Meanwhile her teammate Vieira
perfectly complimented her and stormed opponents’ half with commanding shots. Lese/Renata defended well and tried to stay out of trouble but couldn’t take lead. Lili-Vieira closed off first set with 2-point margin.
The second set also came successful for Lili-Vieira. They followed the same approach and hit the ball in right spots. Lese offered some good blocks and resisted in full force. However, they couldn’t fully overcome the power of opponents. They helped 18 points
in second set, while Lima/Vivian achieved set points. They clashed with Lima and Vivian in the next match.
The tandem of Lima and Vivian earned a bye in the first fixture and moved straight into the second match. They were challenged by successful team of the first match, Lili and Vieira. The match spanned over three sets, while Lili-Vieira couldn’t deal with
the power of stronger opponents. Lima and Vivian had more experience of the game. They worked out great performance and edged out Lili-Vieira by posting 2-1 (21-17, 18-21, and 15-9) victory.
Lima/Vivian started out well and produced powerful serves. Lime took bigger run-ups and converted many of her serves into aces. Meanwhile, her partner Vivian put her magic in the game and contributed quick points. They picked up a lead and stretched the
gap of points. Lili-Vieira dropped first set but made a great come-back in the second set. They put up a valiant effort and recovered from the shock of defeat in second set. Lima/Vivian had to suffer the set-back by trailing three points behind the rivals.
Third decisive set was the real test of their temperaments. Both teams struggled to win the fight but victory graced Lima/Vivian as they proved to be better team.
Men’s Country Quota Playoff
In the men’s category, there was just one Country Quota match was played. Two sides of the court were captured by Thiago-Harley and Ferramenta-Pedro. The pairing of Ferramenta-Pedro dominated compatriots and ended the game in two sets. They claimed victory
by polling 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) in 40 minutes.
The duo of Lima and Vivian qualified for the next stage of the tournament, while Ferramenta-Pedro also registered their names for the Qualification Tournament.
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