Martin Laciga / Paul Laciga Switzerland (3) def. Robert Nowotny / Peter Gartmayer Austria (22) 21-14, 21-14 (0:35)

·           Switzerland's LACIGA brothers, Paul and Martin, got off to an excellent start in Pool E of the Men's Olympic Beach Volleyball tournament, when they defeated Austria's Peter GARTMAYER / Robert NOWOTNY 2-0 (21-14, 21-14) in a mere 33 minutes.  The Swiss, currently the top-ranked European team in the world and seeded fourth for this Olympic tournament, led throughout the match and outplayed the Austrians in serving (three aces to one), attacking (24 kills in 35 attempts to 16/38), blocking (two stuff blocks to one) and digging (nine successful digs to six).

Javier Bosma / Pablo Herrera Spain (15) def. Nikolas Berger / Florian Gosch Austria (10) 21-14, 21-13 (0:44)

·           Spain's Javier BOSMA and Pablo HERRERA defeated Austria's Nikolas BERGER and Florian GOSCH 2-0 (21-14, 21-13) to tie in first place of Pool C of the Men's Olympic Beach Volleyball Tournament with Switzerland's LACIGA brothers.  The Spaniards scored as many as seven block points (six coming from HERRERA), as they shut out the Austrians with ease. They also outclassed their opponents in attacking and digging.  BOSMA and HERRERA gained early leads in both sets and found little resistance on their way to victory, which brings them closer to a berth in the 16-team Single Elimination Bracket.  GOSCH was a last-minute replacement to BERGER's regular partner, Clemens DOPPLER, who withdrew before the Olympic Games due to injury. The new Austrian pair had competed together in only one international tournament prior to their arrival in Athens.

Martin Laciga / Paul Laciga Switzerland (3) vs. Javier Bosma / Pablo Herrera Spain (15)

Nikolas Berger / Florian Gosch Austria (10) vs. Robert Nowotny / Peter Gartmayer Austria (22)

Javier Bosma / Pablo Herrera Spain (15) vs. Robert Nowotny / Peter Gartmayer Austria (22)

Martin Laciga / Paul Laciga Switzerland (3) vs. Nikolas Berger / Florian Gosch Austria (10)