Gavira/Herrea Best Carvalhaes/Solberg to Advance to Quarterfinals

2017 FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – VIENNA

• July 28 to August 6
• Vienna Centre Court, Vienna, Austria
• Co-ed
• Championships
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Spanish duo Adrian Gavira and Pablo Herrera bested the 8th-seeded Brazilian team of Pedro Solberg and Gustavo “Guto” Carvalhaes in a close three set (21-19, 17-21, 15-13) victory. Spain’s victory in the first FIVB World Tour meeting between the two teams secures their spot in the quarterfinals, where they will play Maarten Van Garderen and Christiaan Varenhorst of the Netherlands.

Full Match Stats

Gavira and Herrera dug deep for a first set victory, narrowly beating their Brazilian opponents. The Spanish combined for twenty kills for the set which Solberg and Carvalhaes added nineteen of their own, keeping the set close for much of its duration.

After squeaking out their first set win, Gavira and Herrera dropped the second set 17-21, their level of play slipping. The Spanish hit for 33% in the second set, as well as making more errors than they did in the first. “It was very hot and I felt a little tired in the second set,” Gavira told FIVB, referencing the record-high temperatures Vienna is currently enduring.

Before the deciding set Gavira and Herrera regrouped, switching their game plan which lifted them to a close 15-13 victory in the third. “I think the key was changing our serves to Guto in the tie-break. That gave a couple of early points and we were more comfortable to side out,” said Herrera. “Pablo was huge on side out and defense,” Gavira added.

The Brazilians did not feel much shame in losing such a close game. When all was said and done, both teams had scored 53 points. “It was the small details, they played better but it could have gone for both. There was not a lot of difference, the game was pretty tight, 53-53 total points. They played great, we also played pretty good. It’s part of the game, winning and losing. I’m used to losing, I’m used to winning. I’m not going to die, life keeps going. I’m going to go home try to be here the next time and my thoughts are trying to win every time,” said Solberg to FIVB post-match. Carvalhaes cited his poor performance in side-outs as a reason for the loss. “The difference was my sideout was not really good and the sideout is everything in volleyball. Nothing more than the sideouts. The tactics were really good and the only problem was my sideout.”

The Brazilian duo is still in their first year of playing together, and to be able to keep neck-in-neck with a seasoned team is no small feat.

Gavira and Herrera will play the Netherlands and silver-medalist Varenhorst in the next round, but they are not fearful. “I believe we can get something big on this World Championship,” said Gavira.

Their next match is scheduled for 9:00 in Vienna tomorrow, August 5th.