News
Favorites Take South Beach Open
The South Florida based squad of Sergio Menezes (Captain US Footvolley Squad) and Igor Martins have won the 1st stage of the 2011 Pro Footvolley Tour presented by Bud Light Lime. The duo, which were knocked out at the semi-final stages in 2008, 2009, and 2010 at Hollywood Beach Open; finally broke through to the final. Menezes and Martins rallied from 18x22 against a tough AJ Mendonca/Nelson Santa Cruz Segovia 'Canela' squad by scoring 7 straight points and winning 25x22 in final full of drama. Canela, 27, from Herendarias, Paraguay, is considered the World's most complete footvolley player.
In the women's competition, Josefa de Lima Souza 'Josy', of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil went undefeated in three matches, on Sunday, to be crowned the Queen of the Beach. Bianca Heimer, also of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, took the second place.
The 2011 Pro Footvolley Tour South Beach Open presented by Bud Light Lime began with 16 men's teams and 4 women competitors. From Saturyday's group stage, nearly all the top two seeds advanced. The only surprise was the stellar play by the LA-based squad Austin Roman & Juninho which knocked Paulo Ricardo and Ricardo Cardozo (both of Deerfield Beach, FL). The top seeds Sergio Menezes and Igor Martins; Adriano 'Bahiano' and Fernando Plentz (former FIU Soccer star), and AJ with Canela; all went undefeated in the group stages without much difficulties.
Footvolley on South Beach
Tournament organizers were elated with the large audience for the event as well. South Beach is the original home of footvolley in America. This is where the sport took form with local athletes and nearly a decade later organizers were able to stage an event on the World's most famous beach.
Semi-finals
AJ/Canela knocked off Adriano/Plentz in a stellar come back 25-23 to reach the Championship Match. Boente/Plentz played a nearly flaw-less match; but risked serving Canela in the end which proved fatal. Menezes/Martins, after a tough three set victory in the Quarter-finals versus Pereira/Souza, beat Pirica/Cordona 25-17 in relative ease in the second Semi-final match.
Championship Match
In the final match, Menezes/Martins jumped to an early lead only to see the score escape them. Canela proved his prowess by covering the entire court and scoring all of his squad's points. Menezes/Martins, unlike Boente/Plentz, served AJ exclusively and that made the difference. Down 22x18, Menezes/Martins did the impossible against the tournament's best offensive threat: they shut down Canela and capitalized on the offensive end scoring the matches final 7 points.
