London, Great Britain, July 26, 2012 - Continuing the story of the friendly rivalry between USA's men's beach volleyball Olympic teams, USA's Phil Dalhausser/Todd Rogers and USA's Jake Gibb/Sean Rosenthal have some interesting statistics that are also part of their story.

As a team, USA’s Dalhausser/Rogers have played in 56 international events counting the world tour, the FIVB SWATCH World Championships and the Olympic Games with 43 final four appearances earning 23 gold medals, seven silver, nine bronze and four fourth-place finishes. They have a 6-1 overall record in the Olympic Games and a 105-30 won-loss record against this year’s field.
As a team, USA’s Gibb/Rosenthal have played in 61 international events with 14 final fours, four gold medals, five silvers, three bronze and two fourths. They have a 4-1 career record in the Olympics and a 52-49 record against this year’s field.

Raising the level of there game in the struggle against Fuebringer/Lucena for the Olympic spot for USA, Gibb/Rosenthal are in London on a hot streak with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze in the last four FIVB SWATCH World Tour events.

In the head-to-head series matchup between the two American men's Olympic teams, USA's Dalhausser/Rogers duo has a 14-8 edge in the international series history including the FIVB SWATCH World Tour, FIVB SWATCH World Championships and the Olympics.

The tandems in London have been split equally into six pools, playing each team in their group, with the top two advancing to the single-elimination knockout phase along with the two best third-placed teams. The remaining four third-place teams will then compete in playoff matches to determine which pairs will fill the final two places in the 16-team eliminaation bracket’s first round.

At a media conference at the main press center in London’s Olympic Park Wednesday, Rogers said, “I look at this as a very fun opportunity to add a cherry on top of the whipped cream and sprinkles. There are not as many distractions in Beijing becaure are only a few things you wont do do there. Here in London there are quite a few things to do because it is such a wonderful historical city. As for the competition, it is overall stronger than in 2008 and we hope to be there at the end just like we know Jake (Gibb) and Sean (Rosenthal) are capable of as well, especially right now when they have been playing so well.”

Sixteen teams have qualified for the Games through the Olympic Ranking which is based primarily on world tour standings, with five more joining as winners of the AVC, CAVB, CEV, CSV and NORCECA Continental Cup Finals and two from the World Cup Olympic Qualification Tournament. Great Britain has also been granted a berth as hosts.

The sold-out beach volleyball competition at the 2012 London Olympic Games is being held Saturday through Aug. 9 in a purpose-built 15,000-set stadium on the grounds of the iconic Horse Guards Parade in central London.

For the two American teams, when this ultimate adventure ends, life back in Southern California will most assuredly return to the shirts-and-skins pick-up matches.