2016 Review: Renato/Rafael earn double for Brazil at U19 World Championships

In a packed stadium in late July on Finikoudes Beach in Larnaka, Cyprus, Brazil’s Renato Lima de Carvalho/Rafael Mendonca de Quiero captured the second gold medal of the night for Brazil at the FIVB Beach Volleyball U19 World Championships.

Only one hour earlier Duda Lisboa/Victoria Lopes claimed the FIVB U19 title in the women’s tournament. Renato/Rafael defeated Switzerland’s Florian Breer/Yves Haussener 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) in the final.

It was a repeat of the 2014 edition in Porto, when Arthur Mariano/George Wanderly and Duda/Andressa Cavalcanti won the gold medals for another Brazilian double.

Like their compatriots two years ago, the FIVB U19 gold is the first for Brazil’s Renato/Rafael who were competing in their first FIVB international tournament.

The Brazilians needed three sets against France's Timothee Platre/Remi Bassereau in the semifinal 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 15-9), but were not in any trouble against Breer/Haussener.

The Swiss, who won the FIVB U17 World Championships in 2014 in Acapulco, Mexico, only came close in the second set, when they levelled at 14-14 after a long and spectacular rally. But in the end, not being the tallest players in Larnaka, they were not able to stop the high and powerful attacks of the Brazilians.

Breer and Haussener brought silver back home, Switzerland’s first FIVB U19 medal.

Bronze for Latvia

Latvians Mihails Samoilovs/Kristaps Smits came back from one set down against France’s Platre/Bassereau, 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-7) to capture the bronze medal.

The 18-year old Mihails is the younger brother of Latvian Olympian and FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour champion Aleksandrs Samoilovs.

The Latvians were playing in their first FIVB campaign and came all the way from qualification. They lost 2-0 (22-20, 21-11) to the Swiss in the semifinal, but were determined to claim the bronze.