(ATR) Brazilians Evandro Goncalves and Andre Loyola overcame their Austrian opponents, and nearly 10,000 screaming home fans, to win a beach volleyball world title in Vienna on Sunday.
The Brazilians overpowered the veteran Austrian duo of Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst, both who reside in Vienna, 23-21, 22-20.
Doppler, 36, and Horst, 34, appeared to on their way to taking the first set, but then squandered five match points. Although they battled fervently in the second set, it was a crushing blow. Along with Goncalves’ explosive and dominant serve, it was ultimately the difference.
"I look at him now and he’s like a super hero," Loyola said about his imposing 6-foot-11 partner.
Loyola – who became the youngest beach volleyball world champions at age 22 - admitted the slightly-crazed, flag-waving, Red Bull infused Austrian fans packing the stadium were a bit intimidating.
"I was really scared when I entered the court and saw all those people, we couldn’t talk to each other because it was so loud," Loyola said.
Loyola, at age 22, became the youngest world champion in beach volleyball history. Goncalves added a gold medal to his 2015 worlds bronze.
"It was the biggest experience of my life in a beach volleyball game," Loyola added.
The match lasted 57 minutes as the 12th seeded Austrians, who exceeded all expectations, were seeking to become only the second team to win a world title on home sand.
Doppler and Horst were gracious in defeat, cracking jokes and having fun with the victorious Brazilians in the post match awards ceremony and during an entertaining news conference.
When Goncalves was asked what was the difference in the match, Horst interrupted saying: "C’mon it was his serve!" After a lengthy answer by Goncalves, in Brazilian Portuguese, the comedic Austrian became translator saying "see, it was the serve."
Horst couldn’t thank the immensely supportive hometown fans enough.
"This has been an amazing 10-day journey," Horst said of what was the first-ever international beach volleyball tournament in Vienna.
"Beach volleyball is really big in this country even if we don’t make as much money as tennis, soccer players or skiers," Horst joked.
Evandro and Loyola, partnering together in their first season claimed the $60,000 first prize.
FIVB president Ary S. Graça presented the championship trophy to the Brazilians, who were more than ready for a Mardi Gras-like celebration.
Goncalves and Loyola darted over to the small, but highly visible group of Brazilian fans to continue the party.
The Russian duo of Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Nikita Liamin took the bronze medal beating the 45th seeded Maarten van Garderen and Christian Varenhorst of the Netherlands.
Goncalves and Loyola’s world title is the third for Brazil over the past four Championships, including last summer at Rio 2016.
All week long, players applauded the enthusiastic Austrian fans and organizers for staging an excellent and memorable tournament.
Written by Brian Pinelli in Vienna
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