Matosinhos, Portugal, June 28, 2014.  Pool A matches of the first round of the men’s 2014-2016 CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup started today at Praia de Matosinhos.  The weather conditions were far from favorable, but steadily improved as the morning progressed, allowing good performances from the players.  Winning its semifinal match-up with Iceland and then the grand final with host Portugal, France emerged as the big winner of the pool.  In the other semifinal, the home favorites overcame Hungary and on Sunday afternoon will play against the winner of the losers’ bracket match-up between Iceland and Hungary for the second place leading directly to the third round of the competition.

France 2, Iceland 0

The French confirmed their top-seed status in the pool with two blitz victories over the bottom-ranked Icelanders.  Yannick Salvetti / Jean-Baptiste Daguerre started this match-up off with a quick 2:0 (21-5, 21-10) against Hafsteinn Valdimarsson / Kristjan Valdimarsson.  Youssef Krou / Edouard Rowlandson followed up with an even faster 2:0 (21-4, 21-10) against Ludvík Mar Matthiasson / Theodor Oskar Thorvaldsson.

Einar Sirgudsson, coach of Iceland:  “Beach volleyball appeared in Iceland only ten years ago, so we are just starting.  We have much to work and train, but the main problem is that in Iceland we only have three months to practice, which limits the young boys and girls.  In the future we plan to train abroad with foreign teams.  This event is very important for us, since it shows that Iceland also plays beach volleyball and, besides, we can gain more experience.  Portugal is great and the organization is superb!”

Portugal 2, Hungary 0

The Portuguese duos did not face any adversity, winning this semifinal match-up.  First, Roberto Mauro Silva Reis / Fabricio Silva shut out Hungary’s Balazs Buday / Laszlo Racz by 2:0 (21-14, 21-9) in 30 minutes.  Then, Rui Moreira / Joao Simoes pleased the fans around center court with a 2:0 (21.17, 21-13) victory over Balazs Bagics / Robert Koch.

Rui Moreira and Joao Simoes:  “We already know each other, because we have played together for a few years.  So, when we take part in an international tournament, we want to win every match we have to play!  Even if they are against extraordinary teams, we give it all.  In the qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, we reached the third round.  Now we want to go even further.”

France 2, Portugal 0

In this decisive match-up for the first place, the French did not allow the home heroes to win a single sets and shut them out in both matches.  Salvetti / Daguerre beat Moreira / Simoes by 2:0 (21-13, 21-15) and Krou / Rowlandson defeated Silva Reis / Fabricio by 2:0 (21-17, 21-19).

Stephane Canet and Mathieu Hamel, head coaches of France, former beach volleyball players:  “We ended our player’s careers in 2006 and started coaching young players.  We founded a beach volleyball school in Montpellier.  About a year ago we were invited to coach the national team in both genders. This competition is excellent, because every country earns the chance to try and qualify for the Olympics. We have been working with our teams for a year now.  They are ready and we hope to see them in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.”