The highly anticipated London 2012 Beach Volleyball test event – the Visa FIVB Beach Volleyball International – ended on a high today at Horse Guards Parade, with Brazilian pair Liliane Maestrini and Angela Vieira taking the competition title.
Maestrini and Vieira came out on top in the final match against the US pairing of April Ross and Jennifer Kessy, having knocked the second Brazilian team – made up of Taiana Lima and Vivian – into bronze medal position earlier in the day.
Vieira said: 'Everything was really nice. Thank you to everyone who helped. I am thankful for the whole test of the Olympic event. It was pretty good, perfect. I have never been here before and I love London, love everyone and everything. All the countries and are getting better and better and there are no easy games. Even the weakest teams can surprise.'
Ross of the US said: 'I thought both Great Britain teams played really well and I think we can look forward to seeing them keep on improving, they are on the up and up. I think with the home crowd they had that extra motivation. I think we’ll see good things from them in the next couple of tournaments.'
GB pair Lucy Boulton and Denise Johns made it to the bronze medal match but ended their competition in fourth place, closely followed by the other Brits Shauna Mullin and Zara Dampney in joint fifth.
Twenty-four world-class teams took part in the competition, from 9 – 14 August. The event has been followed closely from the building of the iconic venue within Horse Guard’s Parade to the arrival of the sand and the first day of the test event.
David Luckes, Head of Sport Competition said: 'The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the whole week. Athletes, spectators and volunteers all talked about the amazing setting and the great time they all had. We successfully tested the field of play (including the sand), results systems, lighting and sport presentation. Bringing beach volleyball in this format to London is a first for the capital, the fact that it was in this iconic venue added to the appeal.'
Maestrini and Vieira came out on top in the final match against the US pairing of April Ross and Jennifer Kessy, having knocked the second Brazilian team – made up of Taiana Lima and Vivian – into bronze medal position earlier in the day.
Vieira said: 'Everything was really nice. Thank you to everyone who helped. I am thankful for the whole test of the Olympic event. It was pretty good, perfect. I have never been here before and I love London, love everyone and everything. All the countries and are getting better and better and there are no easy games. Even the weakest teams can surprise.'
Ross of the US said: 'I thought both Great Britain teams played really well and I think we can look forward to seeing them keep on improving, they are on the up and up. I think with the home crowd they had that extra motivation. I think we’ll see good things from them in the next couple of tournaments.'
GB pair Lucy Boulton and Denise Johns made it to the bronze medal match but ended their competition in fourth place, closely followed by the other Brits Shauna Mullin and Zara Dampney in joint fifth.
Twenty-four world-class teams took part in the competition, from 9 – 14 August. The event has been followed closely from the building of the iconic venue within Horse Guard’s Parade to the arrival of the sand and the first day of the test event.
David Luckes, Head of Sport Competition said: 'The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the whole week. Athletes, spectators and volunteers all talked about the amazing setting and the great time they all had. We successfully tested the field of play (including the sand), results systems, lighting and sport presentation. Bringing beach volleyball in this format to London is a first for the capital, the fact that it was in this iconic venue added to the appeal.'
