Brazil’s men leave without a medal

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Russians take bronze at #HamburgMajor. Photocredit: Joerg Mitter

There was no love for the Brazilians on their Valentine’s Day as Russians Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Konstantin Semenov won the hearts of the Center Court in the bronze medal match.

All eyes were on reigning World Champions Alison and Bruno Schmidt as the South Americans chased a 13th medal in their last 27 tournaments but the Russians had other ideas in a jaw-dropping victory.

But it seemed as though the Brazilians were on course to add to their incredible medal haul this year by easily winning the first set 21-15.

However, in beach volleyball you never know what is going to happen next and the Rothenbaum was treated to an incredible comeback from Krasilnikov and Semenov.

The Russians won a dramatic second set 22-20. They built up a lead and they saw a lead miraculously eaten up by the Brazilians, only to finally get themselves on level terms to force a tiebreak.

And then the Russians treated the crowd to a masterclass to get a well-deserved, if unexpected, bronze medal with a clinical performance in the final set, restricted the World Champs to just 10 points.

It’s the Russian’s fifth medal on the FIVB Tour and their first in the Swatch Major Series! Congratulations guys!