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Women's Greek Open 2002 |
| Rhodes, 24 - 28 July |
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| Press Releases |
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| McPeak-Youngs take third Gold medal |
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Rhodes, Greece, 28 July - Powerful Americans Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs on Sunday stole the gold medal from Australian Olympic Champions Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst here at the FIVB World Tour Hellas Open. It was the third gold medal for McPeak and Youngs this season.
The match was a tense clash with powerful spikes from the Australians and incredible blocks from the American side of the net. "It was a great match, our strategy to serve strong and use Elaine's block as our main weapon worked out great," said Holly McPeak after the match. Asked what makes the team currently so successful, Elaine said "A lot of it comes from our hearts. We simply don't like it loose. I would love to play in the final every week." The Australians were visibly disappointed after their second lost final this year. "Our serve was simply to soft today," said Kerri Pottharst.
Earlier, the bronze medal went to local heroes Vasso 'Vicky' Karadassiou and Efi Syfri, when they defeated Dutch team Rebekka Kadijk and Merrit Leenstra. The Greek supporters filled the Centre Court to the last seat, with more crowds waiting in front of the arena and some of them even on top of the surrounding buildings to get a glimpse of the Greek players. "We are so happy to achieve our first medal in our home country in front of such a great crowd," said Vasso Karadassiou after the match. Vasso Karadassiou was named Speedo Player of the Tournament. The Dutch pair was visibly disappointed after letting go their first chance for a medal. "But that we made it to the final Sunday shows that new teams are now coming up to fight against the experienced teams," said Marrit Leenstra.
On their way to their Bronze Medal Karadassiou-Syfri lost their first pool match against German qualifiers Ahmann-Hager, but then, inspired by enthusiastic support here in this popular Greek island resort, they started a winning streak that included a triumph over World Champions Adriana Behar-Shelda of Brazil. During the match, the agile Shelda sprained her ankle but soldiered on in the style of a true athlete, finishing the match with a taped ankle. "She is still can't walk and has to put ice on it, but I think we will play in Klagenfurt," said Adriana Behar the day after the injury.
It was the first time that Greece has hosted an FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event and follows two very successful seasons with Challenger events in Xylokastro in the northern Peloponnese. "The atmosphere was great and the Island is very beautiful," said Kerri Pottharst. Thousands of fans, local enthusiasts and tourists flocked to the court venues in this picturesque town for both match session. Matches were played in the morning and in the evening to avoid the fierce Greek summer heat. Organizers transported sand to the venue straight from the surrounding beaches.
The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour now returns to the mainland for the season's second Grand Slam at Lake Wörther, Klagenfurt in the south of landlocked Austria, where expectations from players, organizers and supporters are high for another success like the 2001 World Championship. Beach Volleyball has developed an almost cult following in Austria, thanks to the success of FIVB international events held there since 1997. |
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| Press releases |
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Press Centre on site:
Contact
FIVB Press Delegate Michaela Binder onsite:
Cell phone: +30 241 043753
or email:
michaela_binder@gmx.at
Press
Center:
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