Press Release

Rhodes, Greece, May 19, 2004 - The locals of the island of Rhodes thronged to the Beach Volleyball courts for the first hours of action at the women's Hellas Open on Wednesday and they weren't disappointed with the skills on display in this, the latest leg of the 2004 Swatch - FIVB World Tour.

It was country qualification time with teams from Greece, Germany, China and the USA doing their best to oust their compatriots and advance through the draw.

The Greek athletes drew the biggest interest from supporters with the game between team Chounta-Kitsou and Paraskeyaidou-Ioannidou out on court number two generating the loudest cheers. After 51 sensational minutes of Beach Volleyball, Chounta-Kitsou eventually wore down their opponents to advance.

Elsewhere, Kostami-Kostami (Elisavet and Faviola) ousted fellow Greeks Vasilaki-Lagiou while team Kouloumeda-Exindavelori and Petridou-Michou received byes to the next round.

German outfit Ahmann-Vollmer overcame Brink-Abeler-Jurich and Claasen-Stoof produced the result everybody expected of them when they downed fellow Germans Kaup-Deister.

Also making it to the next round were teams Xue-Ren and Ji-Zhang Xi of China and the United States pairing of Kessey-Fontana.

Following the afternoon action, the lights came on at centre court with many matches scheduled for evening play.