The shores of João Pessoa, Brazil, became the epicentre of beach volleyball drama on Thursday, as the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 tournament delivered a series of electrifying upsets. Home favourites George Wanderley and Saymon Barbosa delivered a performance for the ages, dethroning the reigning Olympic champions. Meanwhile, Portuguese qualifiers João Pedrosa and Hugo Campos continued their astonishing run, proving that pedigree can sometimes take a backseat to sheer determination.
Brazilian Dynamite: George & Saymon Stun Olympic Gold Medalists
In a match that had the local crowd on its feet, Brazil’s George Wanderley and Saymon Barbosa, seeded 16th, orchestrated a magnificent comeback against the formidable Swedish pair, David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig. The Swedes, who hold the coveted Olympic champion title, entered the Pool D decider as heavy favorites. However, the Brazilians had other plans, turning a one-set deficit into a thrilling 2-1 (16-21, 21-18, 15-13) victory.
Saymon Barbosa, a defensive powerhouse, was instrumental with six crucial kill blocks and an ace, contributing a team-high 21 points. George Wanderley added another 20 points with his offensive prowess. This wasn`t merely a win; it was a statement. By securing the top spot in their pool, George & Saymon bypassed the initial elimination round, jumping directly into Saturday`s second knockout stage. A testament to their resilience, perhaps even an early contender for `upset of the tournament,` leaving the Olympic champions to navigate the trickier round of 18.
Portugal`s Dream Weavers: Pedrosa & Campos Continue Their Unstoppable March
Not to be outdone, the Portuguese qualifying duo of João Pedrosa and Hugo Campos have been on an absolute tear. Seeded 24th in the main draw, they`ve been redefining expectations with every spike and block. After already shocking the world`s number one team, Norway`s Anders Mol & Christian Sørum, in an earlier pool encounter, they continued their dominant run by sweeping American Olympians Miles Evans & Chase Budinger with a decisive 2-0 (21-17, 21-12) victory to claim Pool A.
Pedrosa showcased an all-around mastery, leading his team with 19 points, including three aces and four kill blocks. Their strategic play and undeniable synergy have seen them directly qualify for the round of 12, a remarkable achievement for a team that started from the qualifiers. It appears Mol & Sørum, the `Beach Volley Vikings,` had to settle for third in their pool, demonstrating that even titans can be forced to take the scenic route through the elimination bracket.
Pool Play: A Mixed Bag of Fortunes and Surprises
Beyond the headline-grabbing upsets, the João Pessoa Elite16 main draw delivered a compelling day of pool play, highlighting the intense competition and global talent on display:
- Pool F: Austrian qualifiers Timo Hammarberg & Tim Berger mirrored the underdog success story, battling back from a set down to defeat German qualifiers Lukas Pfretzschner & Sven Winter 2-1 (19-21, 21-17, 16-14), securing their pool victory. Brazilian duo Evandro Oliveira & Arthur Mariano Lanci claimed third place, ensuring their tournament survival.
- Pool B: Second-seeded Dutch pair Stefan Boermans & Yorick de Groot maintained their composure to top their pool with a tight 2-0 (21-19, 23-21) win over Norway’s Mathias Berntsen & Hendrik Mol. France’s Teo Rotar & Arnaud Gauthier-Rat snatched third, keeping their hopes alive.
- Pool C: Swedish youngsters Jacob Holting Nilsson & Elmer Andersson, seeded third, clinched Pool C after a gruelling 2-1 (21-18, 24-26, 15-12) victory over Argentina’s Nicolas Capogrosso & Tomas Capogrosso. Brazilian qualifiers Vinicius Freitas & Heitor Barbosa secured third place in a hard-fought three-setter against Australian Olympians.
- Pool E: The Netherlands` Steven van de Velde & Alexander Brouwer progressed as Pool E winners after their Polish opponents Michal Bryl & Bartosz Losiak were forced to withdraw due to a Bartosz Losiak injury. Brazilian qualifiers Andre Stein & Renato Lima ousted German qualifiers Jonas Sagstetter & Benedikt Sagstetter to finish third.
As the dust settles on the pool stage, the narrative for the João Pessoa Elite16 is clear: the established order is being challenged, and the road to the finals promises more twists and turns. The first elimination round on Friday, set to kick off at 15:00 local time (18:00 UTC), will undoubtedly deliver more thrilling beach volleyball action.
