Markus Dieckmann / Jonas Reckermann Germany (4) def. Raul Papaleo / Ramon Hernandez Puerto Rico (21) 21-14, 21-13 (0:39)

·           Germany’s M. DIECKMANN/RECKERMANN outclassed Puerto Rico’s HERNANDEZ/PAPALEO 2-0 (21-14, 21-13), as the first round of men’s Pool D concluded at the Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre.  Despite their seven service errors, the reigning European champions had a total of 12 digs and two block-points that boosted them to gain an easy, 40-minute victory.  M. DEICKMANN/RECKERMANN led throughout both sets, at no point leaving their dominance in doubt.  The result leaves the Germans tied for first place with Sweden’s BERG/DAHL, who had earlier defeated Norway’s KJEMPERUD/HOIDALEN. Norway and Puerto Rico are winless.

Bjorn Berg / Simon Dahl Sweden (16) def. Vegard Hoidalen / Jorre Kjemperud Norway (9) 21-13, 21-18 (0:44)

·           Spectacular digging by Simon DAHL, and a couple of crucial block points by Bjorn BERG, gave Sweden a surprise 2-0 (21-13, 21-18) victory over Norway's Jorre KJEMPERUD and Vegard HOIDALEN in the opening match of the Men's Olympic Beach Volleyball tournament.  The two teams fought point-by-point until 7-7 in the first set of the Pool D match, but then the Swedes - helped by a stuff from BERG on KEMPERUD - broke away to sail to a comfortable 21-13 victory, much to the delight of the Swedish fans in the stands.  The Norwegians, seeded ninth in this Olympic tournament, fought back in the second set to keep in touch with the 16th seeded Swedes, and even led briefly at 9-10. But the Swedes came back to tie the score at 10-10 and then broke away thanks to a second stuff by BERG on KJEMPERUD.

Markus Dieckmann / Jonas Reckermann Germany (4) vs. Bjorn Berg / Simon Dahl Sweden (16)

Vegard Hoidalen / Jorre Kjemperud Norway (9) vs. Raul Papaleo / Ramon Hernandez Puerto Rico (21)

Bjorn Berg / Simon Dahl Sweden (16) vs. Raul Papaleo / Ramon Hernandez Puerto Rico (21)

Markus Dieckmann / Jonas Reckermann Germany (4) vs. Jorre Kjemperud / Vegard Hoidalen Norway (9)