The city of Berlin has long been a staunch supporter of Beach Volleyball, having hosted highly-successful men's World Tour events for the past ten years. And this year will be no different as the Swatch – FIVB World Tour returns to this historical German city. A total prize fund of $300,000 is on offer to the male and female superstars of the sand in the season’s first Grand Slam event.

One year ago, the newly formed Brazilian partnership of Harley Marques Silva and Franco Jose Vieira gained their first victory at a World Tour event when they overcame Argentina’s Mariano Baracetti and Martin Conde in the final. The Argentine pair, who were carrying the tag of world champions into the game, were stunned by their Brazilian rivals who had only combined forces three months previous to this event.

In the women’s event, Ana Paula Connelly and Sandra Pires completed a dramatic comeback in the final to win gold. Having at one stage been match point down to Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs of the United States, the Brazilian ladies emerged victorious from a marathon final tie-break set (15-13).

Germany is now producing some of the Tour's most promising Beach athletes as the country and its European neighbours are continuing to enjoy a boom in Beach Volleyball and Berlin has a proud history of staging major international sporting events. With the recently elevated Grand Slam status organizers are planning for huge numbers of spectators in what will surely be one of the most spectacular events of the 2004 season.

Organizers will again transport 1,500 tonnes of sand into the city center for the event in Schlossplatz, one of the most historic parts of Berlin where they will create a 'downtown' beach for the world's finest Beach Volleyballers and expect some heightened tension at this year’s events as all teams involved will be hoping to secure some valuable points towards Olympic qualification.

There is always a carnival style atmosphere in Berlin when the Swatch - FIVB World Tour comes to town and this year will be no different. Berlin has long been staging major international sporting events and the organizers of the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam competitions always get things spot on in putting a fantastic show together both for players and spectators.

After the German Open, the Men’s and Women's Beach Volleyball World Tour moves north to the Norwegian coastal city of Stavanger for the $150,000 Norway Open.

Women's Podium 2003

Ana Paula Connelly wins the
 'Speedo Most Valuable Player Award'