We count down our favorite memories from the finals…

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This week we’re counting down our favorite five memories from the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in Hamburg.

In second place…

Golden oldies deny World Champs

Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena once again proved that experience counts. The American pair, both 37, were feeling the effects of jetlag throughout the week in Hamburg – so much so they were so desperate to win their pool – just so they could get a day off and catch up on their beauty sleep.

The sleep must have done them the power of good as they stormed to gold at the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals presented by Vodafone and deny newly crowned World Champs Evandro and Andre.

Their experience was vital in so many ways – not just overcoming jetlag. The pair had to dig deep in their quarterfinal against Canadians Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk for example. The Americans lost the first set and were 19-15 down in a second set where they also faced four match points. But Nick and Phil are made it through, beat Poles Kantor/Losiak in the semifinal and then blew away Evando/Andre to clinch gold and the title.

What was even sweeter was it was the second time in two years the pair had won gold at the Rothenbaum after their success at the 2016 Major. Their five wins this year made it 12 wins in a row at the venue for the duo…that’s quite a record!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner indeed Phil!

Winner winner chicken dinner!!! It was a crazy weekend but @njlucena and I stuck with it and ended up with the win at #hamburgfinals thank you to my sponsors for the support! @redbull @roxvolleyball @rapidforcephs #winnerwinnerchickendinner #winningnevergetsold #swatchmajorseries #fivb

2,534 Likes, 27 Comments - Phil Dalhausser (@phildalhausser) on Instagram: "Winner winner chicken dinner!!! It was a crazy weekend but @njlucena and I stuck with it and ended..."