Roseto degli Abruzzi stages an "open" men's SWATCH-FIVB World Tour event for the second-straight season after the inaugural event featured an upset title win by Switzerland's Patrick Heuscher and Stefan Kobel over Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos of Brazil 14-21, 21-17 and 15-12.  The gold medal match was a replay of the Athens 2004 Olympic semi-finals where the Brazilians bested Heuscher and Kobel.  A renowned seaside resort, perfect for a relaxing holiday for families, Roseto degli Abruzzi is located between the Tordino and Vomano rivers and strikes the visitor with its fine, late 19th-century villas.  A municipality since 1860 and once named Rosburgo, Roseto degli Abruzzi is an established tourist resort with 42 beach facilities, 37 hotels and 10 campsites.  Brazilian teams have captured six of the previous 12 SWATCH stops in Italy.  Dio Lequaglie and Giovanni Errichiello posted the best finish for an Italian team in the 12 events with a silver medal in 1989 at Jesi.  It is one of two silver medal finishes for Italians on the SWATCH tour.  Roseto degli Abruzzi hosted a 2005 FIVB Challenger event where the Brazilian brothers Ferreira (Jan and Para) captured the final.

Kobel (left) and Heuscher celebrate Roseto win

PAST ITALIAN SWATCH-FIVB WORLD MEN'S PODIUM PLACEMENTS

Total Medals - Brazil 17, USA 8, Argentina 4, Switzerland 3, Norway 2, Canada 1, Italy 1