Itapema Four-Star
- Itapema, Brazil
- May 16-18, 2018
- Schedule/Results
Top seeded Evandro Goncalves/Andre Loyola cruised through six straight-set matches to earn the gold medal at the Itapema Four-Star, marking their first FIVB title since winning the world championships in August. The pair earned silver at the Huntington Beach Four Star (May 6).
The homestanding duo bested Anders Bernstsen Mol/Christian Sorum (Norway) 21-18, 21-16 for the gold. Despite the loss, Mol/Sorum grabbed their first FIVB medal since a bronze at the Espinho Two Star in July.
In the bronze medal match, Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak (Poland) denied Vitor Felipe/Guto Carvalhaes (Brazil) a podium spot with a 21-19, 21-17 win. The Polish pair secured its first medal since a runner-up finish at the Hague Four Star in January, while preventing the Brazilians from earning their first FIVB medal as a pairing since teaming up in January.
On the w0men’s side, Brazil’s Agatha Bednarczuk/Duda Lisboa swept past Switzerland’s Joana Heidrich/Anouk Verge-Depre for their first FIVB Tour title of 2018 and first medal since earning silver at the World Tour Finals in August. The victory gave the duo their first gold since winning the Rio Four Star in May 2017. Meanwhile, the Swiss pair earned its first medal since earning silver at the Hague Three-Star in June 2017.
Heather Bansley/Brandie Wilkerson (Canada) kept Brazil from putting two women’s teams on the podium, outlasting Maria Antonelli/Carol Salgado (Brazil) 21-18, 18-21, 15-11. The Canadians secured their first ever FIVB medal after four fifth-place efforts, including Huntington Beach on May 6.
Men’s Gold
Evandro/Andre (Brazil) def. Anders Berntsen Mol/Christian Sorum (Norway) 21-18, 21-16
Men’s Bronze
Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak (Poland) def. Vitor Felipe/Guto Carvalhaes (Brazil) 21-19, 21-17
Women’s Gold
Agatha Bednarczuk/Duda Lisboa (Brazil) def. Joana Heidrich/Anouk Verge-Depre (Switzerland) 21-19, 21-17
Women’s Bronze
Heather Bansley/Brandie Wilkerson (Canada) def. Maria Antonelli/Carol Salgado (Brazil) 21-18, 18-21, 15-11
Leave a Reply