Americans Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers joined their
compatriots Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh atop the podiums at
the 2007 Swatch FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships concluded
in Gstaad, Switzerland on Sunday.
Dalhausser and Rogers beat Russians Dmitri Barsouk and Igor
Kolodinsky 21-16, 21-14 for men's gold medal, making the United
States the second double gender winners after Brazil, who won both
titles in 1997 and 1999.
May-Treanor and Walsh had captured the women's title after
upsetting Chinese Tian Jia and Wang Jie 21-16, 21-10 on
Saturday.
Earlier in the bronze medal match, Australian Andrew Schacht/
Josh Slack overcame top-seeded Emanuel Rego/Ricardo Santos 21-17,
21-19 to finish third, ending Brazil's run of men's medals at the
championships.
Over 7,000 spectators, packing a center court and led by a DJ,
gave equally enthusiastic support to both sides and created a
home-playing atmosphere all through the matches even though no
Swiss players entered either semifinals or final.
"This weekend was about beach volleyball, but not just about
beach volleyball," said the 33-year Rogers, who was also named the
best player for the World Championships.
"For me, these experiences are what I will remember. It not only
is the competition, but it is about the fans in the stands, the
beautiful surroundings and the overall atmosphere of good feelings
generated this weekend."
Rogers also praised his younger partner as "the real outstanding
player for the event."
"I bet Phil that he would be the top player for the event since
this was a homecoming for him and his family. I share this award
with him as he is becoming one of the great players in the world. I
am lucky to have him as a partner."
Dalhausser, 27, lived a year in Switzerland before moving to the
United States with his Swiss mother and German father.
"It is a tremendous feeling to win this title in front of my
parents and relatives," he said.
"We played two quality opponents today. Except for the second
set against the Brazilians, we had a great day."
Rogers and Dalhausser advanced to the final by posting a
21-16,13-21 and 19-17 win in 68 minutes over Emanuel and Ricardo,
who captured the 2003 world champions in Rio de Janeiro before
claiming Olympic gold the next year in Athens.
They then booked an easy 45-minute victory over Barsouk and
Kolodinsky for the gold medal.
But the Russian newest sensation, who beat Schacht/Slack
21-13,21-19 to make the final, would be satisfied with the first
medal for a Russian team at a FIVB World Championships ever.
In addition to sharing the US$60,000 first-place prize, the
American leading duo will benefit from the 1,000 points towards
qualifying for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2007)