The sun-drenched sands of Rio de Janeiro witnessed a compelling narrative unfold in the Elite16 Round of 18 of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. After a pool stage rife with surprising upsets, the established titans of the sport demonstrated precisely why they hold their prestigious rankings, delivering a masterclass in resilience and tactical beach volleyball.
The Undeniable Comeback: Top Seeds Reassert Authority
For those who thrive on predictability, Friday`s Round of 18 served as a reassuring return to form. All three of the top-seeded pairs who had stumbled in the preliminary pool play staged dominant comebacks, securing their spots in Saturday’s Round of 12 with convincing 2-0 victories. It appears that a momentary lapse in focus, or perhaps an unexpected surge from qualifiers, was merely a warm-up for the main event.
Norwegian Powerhouse: Mol & Sorum`s Resurgent Display
Leading the charge was the reigning world number one duo, Norway’s Anders Mol & Christian Sorum. The “Beachvolley Vikings,” after an uncharacteristic early upset, swept aside Brazil’s Andre Stein & Renato Lima with a decisive 2-0 (21-11, 21-15) performance. Their next challenge? A tantalizing clash against the formidable second-seeded Dutch pair, Stefan Boermans & Yorick de Groot. This promises to be a battle worthy of a final, occurring much earlier than anticipated.
Qatar`s Precision: Cherif & Ahmed Cruise Through
Third-seeded Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan of Qatar also left no room for doubt. They dispatched Czech qualifiers Tadeas Trousil & Jiri Sedlak in a straightforward 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) victory. Their reward is a Round of 12 encounter with Latvia`s fourth-seeded Martins Plavins & Kristians Fokerots, setting the stage for another high-stakes showdown between proven contenders.
Dutch Efficiency: Van de Velde & Brouwer Advance
Not to be outdone, the Netherlands’ fifth-seeded Steven van de Velde & Alexander Brouwer demonstrated their clinical efficiency. They secured a 2-0 (21-16, 21-16) win against Switzerland’s Marco Krattiger & Leo Dillier, progressing to face France’s Teo Rotar & Arnaud Gauthier-Rat. Consistency, it seems, is still very much in vogue.
The Upset That Shook the Sand: Cuban Surprise
While many top seeds found their footing, the most compelling drama of the day unfolded in a match that defied expectations. Cuba’s rising stars, Noslen Diaz & Jorge Alayo, engineered a spectacular comeback against Argentina’s Nicolas Capogrosso & Tomas Capogrosso, who were not only last year`s silver medalists but also the world`s number four team. Losing the first set 19-21, the Cubans rallied fiercely, claiming the next two sets 21-16, 15-13, and thus knocking out one of the tournament`s most decorated teams. This performance was less a victory and more a declaration: the new guard is here.
Diaz & Alayo’s path forward will now see them challenge young Austrian qualifiers Timo Hammarberg & Tim Berger, a match that suddenly carries the weight of a potential Cinderella story.
Other Notable Contests and What Lies Ahead
The Round of 18 also featured other captivating duels. Brazilian qualifiers George Wanderley & Saymon Barbosa, buoyed by the home crowd, battled through a grueling three-setter against Norwegian qualifiers Mathias Berntsen & Hendrik Mol, winning 2-1 (26-24, 16-21, 15-13). They now prepare to face American Olympians Miles Evans & Chase Budinger, who are undoubtedly keen to test the Brazilians on their home turf.
In another tight contest, Australian Olympians Mark Nicolaidis & Izac Carracher advanced with a 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) win over American Olympians Miles Partain & Andrew Benesh. Their next opponents will be the formidable sixth-seeded Brazilian favorites, Evandro Oliveira & Arthur Mariano Lanci, promising an electrifying atmosphere for the local spectators.
As the dust settles on an eventful Friday, the stage is now perfectly set for the Round of 12, commencing at 09:00 local time (12:00 UTC) on Saturday, followed by the high-stakes quarterfinal round later in the day. Fans can expect nothing less than explosive action as the battle for supremacy on the iconic sands of Rio intensifies. The initial tremors of upset have given way to the rumble of champions, and the Elite16 promises more twists and turns before a victor is crowned.
