SWATCH FIVB 2010: Mazuri Orlen Grand Slam Men’s Country Quota Matches start
The city of Stare Jablonki, Poland is thrilled with the presence of beach volleyball fans from all over the world, while the final episode of SWATCH FIVB World Tour is being held. The double-gender Mazuri Orlen Grand Slam hit the sands of Poland on 2nd August, 2010 with Women’s Country Quota matches. Following the Women’s CQs, ecstasy of fans was doubled with the start of Men’s Country Quota matches on Tuesday, 3rd August, 2010.
Teams from Brazil and Germany broke the ice and played the opening Country Quota matches at Mazuri Orlen Grand Slam 2010. The Brazilian teams marched into the court in a victorious manner; Pedro Salgado and Harley Marques clashed with Bruno de Paula and Fabio Magalhaes on Tuesday. Pedro Salgado and Harley Marques dominated their opponents and snatched the victory by two straight sets. It took them only 44 minutes to crush their country mates Bruno and Fabio by posting 21-16 and 21-17.
With this win, Pedro/Harley moved the next stage, the Qualification Tournament, which will help them enter the “money rounds,” provided they keep on the same course of winning. Pedro Salgado was paired with Benjamin Insfran in the last season. Their union helped them grab 2009 Mazuri Orlen Title. This year, Pedro is competing with a different partner, which looks good with Country Quota victory up their sleeve. The Qualification Tournament will involve a total of eight teams who will hunt for a berth in Thursday’s opening “money rounds.”
On the other hand, Marcus Popp and Sebastian Dollinger had a huge influence on their compatriots Mischa Urbatzka and Markus Bockermann and also managed to conquer an easy win in the German playoffs. Popp and Dollinger scored a victory of 21-17 and 21-14 in 38 minutes. The victorious players have teamed up for the first time. Dollinger played with Stefan Windscheif last season but the later was drawn out of the game due to an injury. That left Dollinger with a new partner. So far, his progress in the game is above the line.
The host country players are also ready to take the SWATCH FIVB pressure. The winner of last SWATCH FIVB Youth World Championship in Porto, Portugal, Piotr Kantor and Bartosz are scheduled to counter Marek Laznicky and Michal Makowski in the qualifying match on Wednesday. In fact, Poland has already placed three Polish pairs in the main draw, including Rafal Szternel and Damian Wojtasik, Michal Kadziola and Jakub Szalankiewciz, and Mariusz Prudel and Grzegorz.
The strong Polish pair, Kantor and Losiak is enjoying consecutive wins this season. Whenever they put their hands in the game, it turns to a triumph. They surely aim to add another title to their string of medals. The pair marked a record of 7-0 in Porto and remained un-defeated in SWATCH FIVB Youth World Championship 2010.
Kadziola and Szalankiewciz make up another Polish team that seems to be in a good form this season. The pair won the second world title in FIVB U-21 Junior Championship, last year in England. The search for the best teams in Mazuri Orlen Grand Slam will continue on till 8th August 2010, with some over-the-edge, unforgettable encounters.
Brazil has very good record at Stare Jablonki, as they have won the last six Grand Slam titles in Poland, with this year’s title in focus. Since other international teams are also participating this season, SWATCH FIVB 2010 will provide strong competitors to challenge Brazil’s strong line-up.
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