- 6 weeks ago
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00:00:00This is the only game I got to play, but I got to play a game for the game.
00:00:11I can play a game for the game.
00:00:15I'm going to play a game for my little game.
00:00:18I'm going to play a game for you.
00:00:20I'm going to play a game for the game.
00:01:25Hello and welcome, volleyball fans, to the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour.
00:01:31It is Championship Sunday in Hamburg.
00:01:33It is our last event of this tournament.
00:01:36It's the women's gold medal match here in Hamburg, Germany, our eighth elite stop of the season.
00:01:42And it is Italy, their first time in an elite gold medal.
00:01:46Reca Horcita and Valentina Guitardi taking on Victoria Lopez and Tamala Corradelli.
00:01:52Travis McWerter in the booth with me.
00:01:54Kyle Friend here.
00:01:56Italy has been the Cinderella story of this tournament, Travis.
00:02:01They have never been here at an elite at this level, but they have earned this spot here.
00:02:08They're knocking off many German teams to get here, including Senja and Senja earlier today.
00:02:14And they've since become the adopted daughters of Germany.
00:02:19So they knock off Luisa Lippmann and Linda Bach in what might be the match of the tournament on the women's side.
00:02:25For me, they were down 5-10 in that third set.
00:02:28Come all the way back to win it.
00:02:29One of the best defensive battles of the tournament.
00:02:32And then they knock off in the quarterfinals, Sandra Itlinger and Anna Grunet.
00:02:36Good finish.
00:02:37Fifth place finish.
00:02:38Congratulations to them.
00:02:39And then in the semifinals, they go ahead and beat a team they just lost to in the European championships.
00:02:44And top seed is Cindy Tillman and Svenja Mulla.
00:02:46And so I expected that to be sort of a hushed crowd or very disinterested in the interview.
00:02:51Let's look at our phones, wait for the next match.
00:02:53Standing ovation for an Italian team in Germany who just beat one, two, three straight German teams.
00:03:00And this is all after they're coming off a dead last 0-3 finish in Montreal.
00:03:04So whatever they did in the two weeks between Montreal and Hamburg is working very well.
00:03:11Yeah, you said it.
00:03:12To get through three tough German teams and then to win the hearts of these German fans here in Germany is something special.
00:03:21And that player right there, Miss Valentina Gattardi, she is must-watch TV because every time she touches the ball, it is a show.
00:03:29She's got one of the whippiest, livest arms and some of the most athletic moves.
00:03:33And her blocking, you've talked about it before.
00:03:36She's always impressive with her blocking, but you've seen another level from her in this tournament?
00:03:41A hundred percent.
00:03:42This is the best I have seen her block in a single tournament.
00:03:47And we have, this is the first Elite Final of their career, so there's something to note.
00:03:52Different stage.
00:03:53They're 2-1 against Tomlin and Victoria, both of those being sweeps.
00:03:57But Tomlin and Victoria, they are the number one ranked team in the world.
00:04:00They are a perfect 3-0 in Elite Finals.
00:04:03And they are now guaranteed their sixth medal in 11 events as partners.
00:04:07Their first medal coming right here a year ago in Hamburg.
00:04:11So this is a special place for Victoria and Tomlin, who got here by beating no easy foe.
00:04:17And that was the Olympic gold medalist, Anna Patricia and Duda.
00:04:20Kyle, they won 21-11 in that first set.
00:04:24That shows the level they can get to.
00:04:25Yeah, I don't think.
00:04:27We'd have to look back to the stats and see if AP and Duda have ever lost a set 21-11.
00:04:31Then sometimes they could let a set go, but it's not in the semifinals here in an Elite.
00:04:38Not like that.
00:04:39As we meet, there's Valentina Guitardi.
00:04:43She has been something special in this one.
00:04:45Just 22 years young.
00:04:47Spent a lot of time playing with Menegati and got a lot of experience playing with her.
00:04:52And now she is kind of the veteran with her new partner, Rekha Orsitoff.
00:04:5726 years young, the LMU graduate.
00:05:00Spent some time in the NCAAs.
00:05:02Like you said, she was on the ones court as a freshman, correct?
00:05:06As a freshman.
00:05:07And that ones court, for those who are unfamiliar with the NCAA system,
00:05:10that's a court where you're going to have to play against Christian Nuss and Taryn Colt.
00:05:13You're going to have to play against Tina Grodina, against Megan Kraft, against Therese Cannon,
00:05:17against all these players, Kelly Chang, Sarah Hughes.
00:05:19It's the highest level in the world where players who are currently in college
00:05:24are taking fifth of the Olympics, as Daniela Alvarez and Tanya Moreno just did.
00:05:28And so she was there as a freshman getting tested against the best in the world.
00:05:32And so this level, even though this is her first elite final,
00:05:35she's been playing teams of this caliber for five, six, seven, eight years.
00:05:39Yeah, and she's seen a lot of surfs in this tournament.
00:05:42As one of the stats here, she's seen a ton of surfers.
00:05:45So she has been tested, and she has surpassed with flying colors.
00:05:49And that is the reason why they have found themselves here in this gold medal match.
00:05:53And there is Miss Tama LaCora, Deli.
00:05:56She's got some of the best vision on the Beach Pro Tour.
00:05:58She's usually the target of the serves for this team.
00:06:02And she has ton of range, tons of vision.
00:06:05And I think the challenge for her is going to be keeping it away from Valentina up the net,
00:06:09snapping around, moving it around.
00:06:11And her partner, Victoria Lopez, one of the swaggiest players,
00:06:15one of the most entertaining defenders that we have on the Beach Pro Tour.
00:06:18She's my favorite player to watch.
00:06:20Look for the over on ones, over on twos.
00:06:22She's got all the range.
00:06:23She's a mini Duda, as we like to say.
00:06:25She can crack it when she wants to.
00:06:28It's going to be a chess battle defensively with these two teams.
00:06:31I'm excited to see how they tackle Rekka in their defense.
00:06:35And I'm excited to see who Italy kind of serves and see who they go after.
00:06:39Because you saw EPN Duda kind of go after Victoria when Tomlin's usually the target.
00:06:43And Rekka loves the cut shot.
00:06:45And that is the shot that Victoria goes over on one the most.
00:06:48And so be aware of that one.
00:06:50What a handset there.
00:06:53Open net for Victoria.
00:06:54Victoria, Rekka's going to chase this one down.
00:06:58Free ball the way of Brazil.
00:07:01Tomlin wants to push out wide.
00:07:03And right on cue.
00:07:05Precision from Tomlin.
00:07:08I want to rewind the tape a minute to that set from Valentina.
00:07:12That was a crazy set.
00:07:14And that is just a perfect tie line from Tomlin.
00:07:17One of the best shot makers we have on the Beach Pro Tour.
00:07:19Pretty going to smile on her face.
00:07:21I'd be smiling if I could hit that shot over and over again, too.
00:07:23Oh, they're tight pass.
00:07:25Another brilliant set from Valentina.
00:07:27This time with the thumbs on the platform.
00:07:30And I'm always, I really enjoy watching players when they ascend to a new level they've never been before.
00:07:35And how they respond to it.
00:07:37This is their first elite final for Rekka and Valentina.
00:07:40They've been knocking on the door for a long time.
00:07:42And it might take maybe a side switch or two for Rekka to settle in.
00:07:48Right back to the high line goes Tomlin.
00:07:52Another perfect high line there from Tomlin.
00:07:54Her vision is what allows her to be such an elite player.
00:07:58And that vision starts with the passing.
00:08:00When she's passing in-system, she keeps everything in front, can see everything and make those smart shots.
00:08:07Already you can see the targets.
00:08:08It is Rekka and Tomlin.
00:08:11Good timing on that move.
00:08:13The dig over, though, from Victoria.
00:08:15Which means a chance for Valentina in transition.
00:08:18Valentina tries to blow up the line but misses.
00:08:22In baseball, we call that a long foul ball.
00:08:25As that is a heroic swing.
00:08:28But a free point for Brazil.
00:08:29But that's what makes Valentina must watch VVTV.
00:08:33Is that you just never know what insane thing she's about to pull out of her pocket.
00:08:38Good pass from Rekka.
00:08:40She's going to work overhead.
00:08:42Good decision on the pull from Tomlin.
00:08:44But it's a little too hot to handle.
00:08:46I like that shot.
00:08:47Nice pacey swing there from Rekka.
00:08:49And a little bit off the net as well.
00:08:50Showing good range.
00:08:53Another look at it.
00:08:55Tomlin, a very well-equipped pull digger as the rest of the Presleyan Federation.
00:08:59Nice.
00:09:02Valentina, good pace.
00:09:05Tomlin.
00:09:06Changing it up, going to the cut.
00:09:08It's the chess game here with Tomlin.
00:09:10She's dialed in early.
00:09:12There's been zero mistakes or even the hint of a mistake from Tomlin.
00:09:16Three perfect shots from her.
00:09:24Good middle serve.
00:09:26Valentina collects it.
00:09:28Valentina!
00:09:29Look at the drill for oil here in Hamburg.
00:09:34And all Victoria can do is just get out of the way.
00:09:40This swing is titanic.
00:09:42That's another swing for Valentina because she loves to do that.
00:09:51Victoria, a little lob out wide.
00:09:53And a little line poke that time.
00:09:54Maybe getting caught up in the sand.
00:09:56No problem.
00:09:57Cheeky smile there from Victoria too.
00:10:00No, and she got away with one a little bit.
00:10:01But that's a key factor of being successful on offensive beach volleyball is that you're going to get some misfooting sometimes in sand.
00:10:09And you just got to make do with it.
00:10:10Victoria does well and has a good laugh about it.
00:10:12Good movement on that serve.
00:10:16That's a good move.
00:10:16That's a good move.
00:10:17Inside.
00:10:17That's a good move.
00:10:17That's a good move.
00:10:18Valentina, she's playing dodgeball out here.
00:10:23Travis, that one off the leg of Victoria.
00:10:25Oh, my gosh.
00:10:28This is a no-looky, just looking line and all wrist away, no-look hammer.
00:10:35I would not want to give Valentina the ball right now.
00:10:38Back to Reca we go.
00:10:40And that serve a little wide.
00:10:42Adrenaline pumping through the veins of Valentina.
00:10:44And, yeah, like you said, that is why Reca has been the target of most of the serves in this tournament because that lady right there, you cannot serve her.
00:10:54It was 113-24 service pressure from Reca to Valentina, respectively.
00:11:01You see this differential there.
00:11:04Good deep swing from Reca to get that kill.
00:11:07And Reca is actually a very similar player to Valentina's former partner, Martin Manigotti, where Manigotti didn't have a ton of pace, didn't beat teams with power, but his precision in shot making.
00:11:17That's exactly what Reca is showing in the leap ability to do.
00:11:20Nice chop shot into the angle there for Victoria.
00:11:22Yeah, Victoria loves that chop shot.
00:11:25She'll let that ball get all the way to her right shoulder.
00:11:27Kind of late chop, make it look like she's going to swing line, but a thing of beauty right there from Victoria.
00:11:41Back to Reca.
00:11:43They go.
00:11:44Baby line, the line you call from Valentina and Reca obliges.
00:11:48And Tama looks back at Victoria, wondering where she is, and Victoria just sort of shakes her head, lets her know, hey, I was making a read.
00:11:56I'm trying to take that cut shot away from Reca.
00:12:00Reca did a really nice job seeing the double up.
00:12:02Valentina gifting one, and she was one of the best servers in the world for a very, a very long time.
00:12:11When she broke out onto the scene, her serve was just different than we had seen.
00:12:16It's got this pace, it's got this trajectory.
00:12:18She can look one way and serve another way.
00:12:21So it is a serious weapon for this Italian team.
00:12:25Was the 2023 Server of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved.
00:12:30And was nominated for Blocker of the Year as well, and Offensive Player of the Year.
00:12:33That's a long list.
00:12:36The cut shot, and you said it, Travis.
00:12:40Victoria loves to go over on one if you go to the easy cut.
00:12:45And that's where this matchup is, it can be a bit problematic for Reca because that's her bread and butter.
00:12:52That's the shot that she loves, and that's the shot that Victoria loves for you to hit for that exact reason.
00:12:58Because she's hunting for those over on ones, gets that momentum going forward in the cut shot.
00:13:03But that's the easy shot for Victoria.
00:13:06One of the best that we have in the world.
00:13:08Her and Nduda going over on one.
00:13:11Kristen Nuss, also Sarah Hughes.
00:13:13She gets back from an injury.
00:13:16Some of the best in the world.
00:13:17You know that going into this match, and that is something you're aware of.
00:13:20And just because you're aware of it does not mean you're going to be able to collect those ones that come over
00:13:26because they're so fast, they're so difficult to collect.
00:13:29And that's why we saw Victoria double up on the pro before.
00:13:33Because she knows that Reca's going to go to that cut shot at some point,
00:13:36where even if you know that Victoria's going to camp on that cut shot,
00:13:41even if you know that that's a dangerous shot to hit against this particular team,
00:13:44you're not going to erase your habit in the three hours that you're going to do scouting.
00:13:48You're going to go back to what feels good when you're in system.
00:13:51And so Reca's going to have to find a different tool to side out.
00:13:56All right, serving six.
00:13:57The timeout here for Italy.
00:13:59Get back to action.
00:14:01Good pull from Tamala, but the position on the swing is very smart from Reca.
00:14:07Yeah, but Tamala makes a nice pull and gets a good touch,
00:14:09but Reca's doing an excellent job of pinning it down the line,
00:14:13getting it outside of Tamala's body,
00:14:14making it hard for her to redirect it back into a settable position.
00:14:18And first serve the way of Victoria.
00:14:21And Victoria with an authoritative rip there.
00:14:27Fastest arm on tour.
00:14:29Victoria's up there for me.
00:14:30Victoria, Anastasia, Samoylova.
00:14:32Yeah, quick, just real quick elbow drive and back into the ball.
00:14:38And Duda, I think, as well is quite quick.
00:14:40Surprising.
00:14:4310-7, nice set.
00:14:45And Reca, just right idea.
00:14:48A lot of space over there, just overcooks it.
00:14:51And Lippman and Bach did a phenomenal job of taking away Reca's cut shot
00:14:57and running just huge angle blocks, early angle blocks,
00:15:01and making Reca find a different shot to get a kill on.
00:15:04And it's clear to me that Tamala and Victoria watched that film,
00:15:08took a couple notes.
00:15:09And a credit to Reca that they won that match against Bach and Lippman.
00:15:12They won that match against the other Jernjern,
00:15:14who did the same exact thing,
00:15:15and they won the match against Mueller and Tillman.
00:15:22River pass from Tamala.
00:15:25And the little poke over back to the line,
00:15:27and she stays perfect side out.
00:15:29And for Italy, right now,
00:15:32patience is the word that I would emphasize
00:15:34because Victoria and Tamala are playing perfect right now.
00:15:37And they're mixing up their serve.
00:15:38They're going to Victoria.
00:15:39They're going to Tamala.
00:15:40They're trying lines.
00:15:40They're trying seams.
00:15:41You just have to wait for them to make a mistake.
00:15:43Nice pass.
00:15:44They're more soft.
00:15:46And there's a good ripper from Reca.
00:15:48Reca's starting to feel it offensively.
00:15:50A lot of heat from Reca.
00:15:52And I think it's pretty good for Italy to only be down 9-12,
00:15:56given how well the world number one is playing.
00:16:00And I mentioned that it's just a patience and a waiting game.
00:16:03But it's also a waiting game while being aggressive,
00:16:06while trying new things.
00:16:07You can't just keep doing the same thing,
00:16:08waiting for them to make a mistake.
00:16:10And they're mixing it up well.
00:16:10And I think that the earned points are going to come.
00:16:13You just have to make sure you're sustaining your side out
00:16:15in the meantime.
00:16:16I think I love the word you said, patience, for them
00:16:19as they try and weather the storm that is Tamala-Victoria.
00:16:23Tamala, 3 for 3, hitting 100.
00:16:26Victoria, 4 for 5, hitting 800.
00:16:30So is that sustainable?
00:16:32Yeah, maybe, maybe not.
00:16:34But you just keep being patient and fighting off some tough serves
00:16:38and still finding your rhythm offensively.
00:16:40And then Brekka maybe starting to look for some of those option balls
00:16:43for the way of Guitardi.
00:16:44We know she can be a threat up there as well.
00:16:46Of course, it starts with a good pass.
00:16:48But they have lots of options and lots of threats.
00:16:50And they're right in this one.
00:16:58Lift from Tamala.
00:17:01And there it is.
00:17:03Travis, patience is paying off after the timeout.
00:17:05First error from Tamala.
00:17:06And I like the disruptive move that Valentina put on at the net
00:17:10where she made two big steps into the angle.
00:17:13And that's why Tamala tried to go for that super sharp swing.
00:17:16And they're trying to bring Tamala in short.
00:17:18And that one, I think, is touched.
00:17:20It's going to have to come back over.
00:17:22Victoria with a freebie.
00:17:24Victoria, that cutie is as sharp as it gets using the equipment.
00:17:29Valentina's doing a lot of disruption at the net
00:17:31where that first swing jumps big into the angle.
00:17:34And Tamala gets the error.
00:17:35That one, she fades.
00:17:36She goes into the angle, jumps back line.
00:17:38And then on Victoria, it's a late pull.
00:17:39She's mixing up the looks quite a bit.
00:17:45That is a nasty serve from Tamala.
00:17:47It creates the overpass.
00:17:48And Victoria comes in and says, hi-yah!
00:17:52What a nasty serve.
00:17:55That was.
00:17:55And a credit to Rekha for just keeping that ball off the sand.
00:18:00And then Victoria, that's that fast arm swing I love.
00:18:02I mean, Tamala's been doing it with the serve.
00:18:05She's got 12 aces.
00:18:06That's her 13th in this tournament.
00:18:08She creates so much movement with that float.
00:18:11Got shot.
00:18:12Right-handed scoopy from Victoria.
00:18:14Can she put this away?
00:18:16Valentina says not so fast.
00:18:19Big, big move at the net from Valentina
00:18:22after a spectacular dig from Victoria.
00:18:26Just laying out, full stretch, right into Tamala's hands.
00:18:31And the swings have been working.
00:18:33That's maybe a little tight on a blocker as physical as Valentina.
00:18:37Death look there for Valentina after that block.
00:18:40And Tamala, I think, gets her vision a little messed up
00:18:43with that pull for Valentina as she sends it long.
00:18:46Whatever they talked about in the box,
00:18:49my guess is that Valentina thrown different looks.
00:18:53She hasn't given them the same look twice yet.
00:18:57And now Brazil will take their timeout
00:19:00after a bit of points taken from Italy.
00:19:03I like this timeout here for Brazil.
00:19:05And I think, like you said, just different looks for Tamala.
00:19:08As a vision player, someone like myself,
00:19:10I'd like to use the vision.
00:19:12When teams are throwing on different looks,
00:19:13it kind of throws you off.
00:19:14It's really tricky to kind of dial it in.
00:19:16Especially when you're in the system
00:19:18and then they pull late on you,
00:19:20it throws off everything you think
00:19:21because in the middle of your swing,
00:19:23you're like, what?
00:19:24That didn't make sense.
00:19:25And then your timing is off
00:19:27and you spray one out of bounds.
00:19:28But this is what we were talking about
00:19:29heading into the technical timeout,
00:19:30that just be patient.
00:19:32Give them different looks.
00:19:33If they sustain perfection, great.
00:19:37Good job for you.
00:19:38Hats off.
00:19:38We'll try to beat you on another day.
00:19:40But right now, they're throwing different looks at them
00:19:42and they're getting them to make mistakes.
00:19:43This Brazilian team does not give up many runs.
00:19:53And they're looking to get back into a groove.
00:19:56And what's interesting is that Valentina
00:19:58will lead this series against this team 2-1.
00:20:02And so there's a coach point, as we like to say.
00:20:06It's a good timeout for Coach Marco Char in Brazil.
00:20:11None of those matches,
00:20:13the previous three between these two,
00:20:14have gone three.
00:20:16I think the crowd here in the Raffenbaum
00:20:18would like to see some extra volleyball.
00:20:24Applied to Rekka.
00:20:26Victoria is there.
00:20:27She wants the tempo lob.
00:20:29She's going to rip cross court.
00:20:30Good scoop from Orsita.
00:20:33Again, the cutie over on one is out.
00:20:37Victoria, the control, though,
00:20:39to even try to make this attempt is unreal.
00:20:42She's always looking for it
00:20:43and you always have to be ready for it.
00:20:46When they played Carol and Rebecca,
00:20:48Rebecca was always wheeling back,
00:20:50getting ready for this exact play.
00:20:52And you see the hustle from Valentina.
00:20:54Look at that, just putting on the Jets.
00:20:56Following it all the way out.
00:20:59Just a couple centimeters from being in.
00:21:02Valentina says, thank goodness.
00:21:052-15.
00:21:07Trying to go jumbo.
00:21:08Wow.
00:21:09What a touch there from Tamala.
00:21:11How many shots have we seen from Tamala?
00:21:13She's breaking out all the tools.
00:21:16Very deep, very deep bag
00:21:18for Tamala Corradelli
00:21:20with her vision and her control on the ball.
00:21:23Nice pass.
00:21:29Like this movement from Rekod.
00:21:31And it's a little bit of chaos,
00:21:32but it works perfectly.
00:21:35And that's the strength of a dynamic offense
00:21:38is that even if you're slightly out of control,
00:21:40you at least know what you're doing.
00:21:42The defense has no idea.
00:21:43Look where Tamala ends up.
00:21:44Look where Victoria ends up.
00:21:46Covering the exact same space.
00:21:47Easy kill for Rekod.
00:21:54Tamala.
00:21:56Tamala with both Italian players
00:21:58going into the line.
00:22:00She pinpoints it in the corner.
00:22:02It's a perfect shot from Tamala
00:22:04and more disruption from Valentina.
00:22:06I love the way that she's doing these late pulls,
00:22:08line pulls, angle pulls.
00:22:09Just pure reading right now
00:22:11from the Italian blocker.
00:22:12What a serve from Victoria.
00:22:16And a juicy set from Valentina.
00:22:19And Rekod puts it long.
00:22:21What a pearl of a set from Valentina.
00:22:24Just side-set nectar from the end line.
00:22:28Doesn't make it an easy ball to hit.
00:22:30Comed over the shoulder there for Rekod.
00:22:32She sails it long.
00:22:33Yeah, that's what I was going to say.
00:22:34It's just a hard ball to hit.
00:22:37Victoria continues to pepper.
00:22:38And falling down on the option.
00:22:41It doesn't matter.
00:22:42Gattardi scores.
00:22:45And I think as this match progresses,
00:22:47that's something that we're likely to see more of
00:22:51from Valentina is being more aggressive with the option.
00:22:53Much like we saw from Savani Mula
00:22:55in their bronze medal match.
00:22:5718-15.
00:22:59Going to go deep jumbo.
00:23:00Good patience from Rekka.
00:23:03Tamala with her first pole dig.
00:23:05Amala trying to go to the cutie.
00:23:09And they're going to challenge Annette here on Valentina.
00:23:15And Valentina shakes it off.
00:23:17So Valentina, one of the reasons that she has become
00:23:21an adopted daughter of this German crowd
00:23:23is because she has called her own over and over and over again
00:23:26in the last three matches all against German teams.
00:23:30And Rekka asked Valentina if she touched it or got the net.
00:23:33And she said no.
00:23:34So I'm inclined to believe her
00:23:35because I've watched her call her own
00:23:37and negate incoming challenges multiple times.
00:23:42Yeah, it's interesting because I feel like in this tournament
00:23:45I've seen a lot of players call their own touches.
00:23:48I haven't seen any players call their own nets.
00:23:51I don't think.
00:23:52I think it's all been touches.
00:23:53And that is super clean.
00:23:56I think that net's still wobbling from a previous play.
00:24:01But Brazil had already used their timeout.
00:24:04So it could have been.
00:24:06Let's give it a try.
00:24:07Let's take a timeout.
00:24:10Serving 18.
00:24:11Big point here.
00:24:13Rekka is there.
00:24:14Chance to bring it to just one.
00:24:17They do.
00:24:18Great control from Orsi Dopp on the dig and deliver.
00:24:22The amount of different looks and timing Italy's given Brazil right now
00:24:26is the reason that Tamala is kind of confused.
00:24:30And she's either hitting balls out or hitting balls right into Rekka's lap
00:24:33exactly where she's playing for it.
00:24:35This is genius play calling from Italy.
00:24:38Good adjustment from Italy.
00:24:40And they head the way of Victoria.
00:24:42And Victoria sees the pulling Guitardi and says,
00:24:46I'm going to go just enough over you for the kill.
00:24:49I don't think recommend to serve it there because that started at Tamala
00:24:53and just dove right to Victoria.
00:24:56That's just the Rothenbaum doing its dirtiest.
00:25:01Oh, my.
00:25:02And Tamala and Rothenbaum have a good thing going
00:25:05because she gets another ace here in this match.
00:25:09That's just her first.
00:25:11I thought she's had a couple.
00:25:12That's just her first.
00:25:13Scratch that.
00:25:13That is the Rothenbaum doing its dirtiest.
00:25:15Yeah.
00:25:20It's that point.
00:25:21Number one.
00:25:22Scooping is Victoria.
00:25:25And delivering.
00:25:27Victoria Lopez doing what she does.
00:25:30A little scoop and deliver to end the first set.
00:25:33Phenomenal play from Victoria
00:25:34and a phenomenal show of resilience and grit from Brazil.
00:25:39They controlled that entire set.
00:25:41And then all of a sudden, it's 17-18.
00:25:44It's getting awfully tight as we get into the latter half of that opening set.
00:25:47And then Brazil just pushes right back.
00:25:48Yeah, a good push.
00:25:50Here's going to look at that final point.
00:25:54It's a heavy cut from Valentina.
00:25:57But Victoria has seen everything.
00:26:00And then she takes her quick look,
00:26:02and she loves to slap it back to the cut for that one.
00:26:06And it is Victoria and Tamala take set number one.
00:26:11And a nice deep breath for Rekha as she goes off to the sideline.
00:26:15But like you said, it's a good push.
00:26:18There was some momentum on the side of Italy.
00:26:20They had adjusted.
00:26:21Those in-game adjustments talk about that.
00:26:23They made some adjustments.
00:26:23Making some extra movements, doing something weird.
00:26:26And it paid off.
00:26:27They didn't get everything they wanted.
00:26:28But, man, did they push Brazil.
00:26:29And I think better than momentum is the fact that Tamala was kind of puzzled on offense.
00:26:37And so Italy's found a nice troubleshooting pattern
00:26:40and ways to mix up the looks for Tamala.
00:26:42And that's going to be a good thing with the set starting fresh at 0-0.
00:26:47And that is also a good thing.
00:26:50An ace to start things off for Rekha Orsita.
00:26:55That little lefty hooking hybrid serve.
00:26:58I hated when lefty served.
00:27:01I hated it.
00:27:03Tamala.
00:27:04Good timing on the touch.
00:27:06Good pickup there.
00:27:07The baby dropper is collected.
00:27:09Victoria going out wide.
00:27:12Oh, what a pickup from Guitardi.
00:27:15Long rally here.
00:27:16And the fans showing their love for Italy.
00:27:21The adopted daughters of Hamburg trying to push this to three.
00:27:26What an unbelievable dig from Valentina.
00:27:29How about that side set sauce from Rekha?
00:27:33Brilliant.
00:27:33Brilliant start here for Italy.
00:27:36Tight pass.
00:27:36Tamala.
00:27:37Cross court.
00:27:38And there is Guitardi.
00:27:40She's been a little quiet.
00:27:42Just gets her second block of the match.
00:27:44Something about Italians and intensity.
00:27:47Valentina's match the intensity we typically only see from Adrian Carambula on the bench with boys.
00:27:51Look at that look.
00:27:53That is a focused blocker.
00:27:55What a hot start for Italy.
00:27:58Ferocious start for the Italians.
00:28:01And that's exactly what they needed.
00:28:03Setting the tone early in this second set.
00:28:07And a great adjustment after set number one where they played good volleyball.
00:28:12They played good volleyball.
00:28:13Didn't come away with that first set victory.
00:28:15But man, oh man, if they come out to play here in set number two.
00:28:20It's already getting on the board.
00:28:22Making.
00:28:22That's good for Italy.
00:28:24Having Guitardi get a block start.
00:28:26Having Brazil start feeling that pressure a little bit.
00:28:28Start feeling that block of Guitardi.
00:28:30And even better news for Italy is that you've gotten points on both of them now.
00:28:35Now you've got a dig on Victoria and a put away where she was almost perfect in that first set.
00:28:41And Tamela, she struggled in the back half of that first set.
00:28:44And that has continued here early in the second.
00:28:51Down 3-0.
00:28:52Tamela going back to the well, which is the high line.
00:28:56Valentina sort of jumped a little bit too laterally on that one.
00:28:59I think if she had gone more straight up and down, watch that.
00:29:01She jumps right and jumps out of the way.
00:29:04Just missing with that left hand.
00:29:11Platform of Rekka.
00:29:14That shot.
00:29:15Good hutch there for Victoria.
00:29:17But it goes a little awry.
00:29:19Tamela can't chase it.
00:29:21It looked like it might have been an indecision from Victoria.
00:29:25Either to dig it or move over on one.
00:29:27Let's have a look at.
00:29:28Because I had hers all over this.
00:29:31And she was in full position to send it over on one.
00:29:35And I think she just couldn't decide.
00:29:374-1 Italy.
00:29:39And Tamela feeling some of that pressure on the pull from Guitart.
00:29:43He drives me two perfect and misses.
00:29:45Some genius stuff from Valentina.
00:29:48She is mixing up the looks so much.
00:29:51And Tamela has no idea what's coming.
00:29:57Cross-court dropping serve.
00:29:59It's a tight play at the net.
00:30:00Recycled well.
00:30:02Valentina.
00:30:03Oh my goodness.
00:30:05She's turning on the Jets.
00:30:06She's everywhere right now.
00:30:08This is wild.
00:30:11I don't want to.
00:30:13I feel like I'm putting a weight on Valentina.
00:30:16You only see Anders Mullen make these kind of plays.
00:30:19There's no one on the women's side like her.
00:30:21There she is once.
00:30:24There she is twice.
00:30:25Over her shoulder.
00:30:26Getting the swat.
00:30:296-1 on the change.
00:30:30Much different feel to this second set.
00:30:34And there is Victoria.
00:30:35With a big old smile on her face.
00:30:37That is a cheeky little option.
00:30:39Smart little slicer there from Victoria as Valentina is running up.
00:30:43And I want to correct myself.
00:30:45Brandi Wilkerson and Valentina are in a class of their own up there.
00:30:48And the plays that they're able to make at the net.
00:30:54Line to line.
00:30:58Line is the call.
00:30:59And line is the swing from Rekka.
00:31:03And might have been a read there from Tomlitz.
00:31:05Jump into the angle.
00:31:06And Rekka's got that crafty lefty.
00:31:08Chopped down the line.
00:31:09Look at Tomlitz jump in angle.
00:31:11A lot of line open.
00:31:13And pass from Victoria.
00:31:17A little lob set.
00:31:18Which she loves.
00:31:19And look out below.
00:31:20Victoria comes in barreling.
00:31:23Big hot swing there from Victoria.
00:31:26Put a lot of pace on that.
00:31:36You're serving seven.
00:31:38All Italy in the second set.
00:31:39We drop her.
00:31:43Victoria there in time.
00:31:44She wants up and down.
00:31:47And scoop from Rekka.
00:31:51Tomlitz is going to have a turn.
00:31:52Over on two.
00:31:53Not good enough.
00:31:54And Victoria stuck at the net.
00:31:55She gets a hand on it.
00:31:57But that is a mistake there from Brazil.
00:32:00And it's rare to see Victoria make a mental gap like that.
00:32:06She forced it to.
00:32:08And it's too early for Brazil to be pressing like this.
00:32:12And that's just a rare mental miscue.
00:32:15One that we haven't seen in a...
00:32:17I can't remember the last time I've seen Victoria make a decision like that.
00:32:20And a little impatient after some of these long rallies.
00:32:24Just trying to end it.
00:32:26It's touched from Guitardi.
00:32:27But too much sauce on that swing from Tamala.
00:32:30Nice chop there from Tamala.
00:32:33And another new look from Italy.
00:32:35Because they're just...
00:32:37They're just throwing everything and the kitchen sink at them right now.
00:32:48And Rekka feeling good in the pass right now.
00:32:52And there's the over on one.
00:32:53And another easy ball for Italy.
00:32:55Tamala keep it going.
00:32:58And that hit from Victoria is long.
00:33:01And again, just trying to press, Travis.
00:33:04Like you said.
00:33:05I don't think it's that big of an emergency for Brazil right now.
00:33:11And it's getting there.
00:33:12But think about if they had been composed on the last couple of points.
00:33:15And the odds of them side and that ball out of...
00:33:18Victoria just sets her very capable partner.
00:33:21This could be a two-point game.
00:33:22Instead, it's five.
00:33:24No question.
00:33:26Cut shot.
00:33:26Nice scoop.
00:33:27Rekka.
00:33:28In transition.
00:33:29Nobody up.
00:33:30What a sliver down the line from Orsita.
00:33:33Wow.
00:33:34Beautiful control on that day from Rekka.
00:33:39Full layout.
00:33:40Excellent platform.
00:33:42And then her ability to chop down the line is what is allowing her to side out so well on the pooling blocks of Tamala.
00:33:50Tamala inside.
00:33:59Good touch.
00:33:59Good tardy.
00:34:00But she does a little box out of Rekka.
00:34:02I reckon I'm able to go get it.
00:34:04Even touches like that, it just gets in the head of offensive players where Tamala hits a perfect shot and it still gets a touch.
00:34:12It's exhausting when that continues to happen.
00:34:21We'll continue at Rekka.
00:34:23Out of the middle.
00:34:24Victoria says, thank you very much.
00:34:27And oh, Valentina thought she had another one.
00:34:30And this is kind of a signature of this Italian team.
00:34:35They are quick to take timeouts.
00:34:36They never let things get out of control.
00:34:38They'll take a timeout at 2-0 if they have to.
00:34:41And we saw one at 3-0 from Brazil.
00:34:43And I like that fast swing there from Victoria.
00:34:44Before Valentina can get all the way up and pressing it down.
00:34:47Yeah, you talk about the fast arm swing of Victoria.
00:34:51And that is a perfect example.
00:34:53Valentina not quite at the peak of her jump yet.
00:34:56And I like in transition her coming in aggressive, challenging the defense of Italy.
00:35:02And yeah, I haven't really noticed how quick until you brought it up the other match,
00:35:06how quickly they take timeouts.
00:35:07And that is something that they do a lot.
00:35:14Italy seems to be the home team.
00:35:16It is crazy.
00:35:18It is crazy.
00:35:19I guess if you knock off enough German teams, you become a fan favorite at some point.
00:35:24But it's not easy.
00:35:26It's not hard to like this Italian team.
00:35:29No, they're...
00:35:30Valentina is a bona fide superstar.
00:35:33And her and Rekker just have that one of those team chemistry.
00:35:37The hole is greater than the sum of their parts.
00:35:40And Italy got the magic because another misser after the timeout on the quick one.
00:35:48But magic indeed.
00:35:50Let's see if they can keep this magic throughout the second set.
00:35:54And the jump serve much to the delight of the crowd.
00:36:02Oh, what a touch from Guitardi.
00:36:05They're making all these crazy moves, Raph.
00:36:07And what a read.
00:36:07It was the right pull.
00:36:08She pulls right...
00:36:09She had pulled into Tomala's high line before.
00:36:12Now she's pulling into Tomala's cut shot.
00:36:14The trouble...
00:36:15They understand Tomala's pattern.
00:36:17And even though they're on it, it's still hard to make a play.
00:36:20But they're just...
00:36:20They're everywhere that she is hitting.
00:36:23Back up there from Rekker.
00:36:25Oh, and Rekker a little bend on that ball down the line for the kill.
00:36:31Slicing, dicing, carving, chopping.
00:36:35Doing her best David Schleiner impression right now.
00:36:37Just chopping around.
00:36:43I'm curious to see if Tomala will bring some gas.
00:36:46With all the shooting, and she does.
00:36:48That one somehow wiggles through the block of Guitardi.
00:36:52Tell you what.
00:36:53It's not coming easy.
00:36:53There's not been a single side-out that has come easy.
00:36:57That one just squeaks through the wickets.
00:37:05What a pass over the shoulder from Rekker.
00:37:09Low.
00:37:10Good cover.
00:37:11No approach for Valentina.
00:37:13Another cover, but not to the way of Rekker.
00:37:16Nice scrappy play from Brazil.
00:37:20And that's huge from Tomala.
00:37:22And her blocking came up huge in that match against Carol and Rebecca, where she put the roof on about half a dozen.
00:37:29And Tomala, she never leads tournaments in blocks.
00:37:32She's more of a disciplined space taker that allows Victoria to roam free behind her.
00:37:37That's what makes them such a good defensive team.
00:37:39She's so disciplined up there.
00:37:40But when she starts getting points with the block, that's another level of, uh-oh.
00:37:46Yes.
00:37:47I'm in agreement with you there.
00:37:48And in that semifinal match against AP and Duda, she kind of dove into Duda's angle a few times.
00:37:53Kind of surprising.
00:37:55Duda is securing a couple blocks.
00:37:57And that is something that, if that is working for them, then they really become a dangerous team, as if they weren't already as the one, the first seed in the world.
00:38:09And this crowd, they're alive.
00:38:12They could have left after the bronze medal match, after Germany lost.
00:38:15But they stuck around to see their new favorite team, this Italian squad.
00:38:28Out of the middle.
00:38:29Good vision.
00:38:30From Orsita, the little Cuddy, her favorite.
00:38:33And that's to make her so happy when she sees that it's open.
00:38:36She's like, oh, there's Old Faithful.
00:38:38There's that Cuddy going right back to it.
00:38:42Italy is continuing to stay the course.
00:38:50Whoa, and another rip.
00:38:52And Valentina's starting to try to go for this jumper, which I like.
00:38:56This week, she's been going for it.
00:38:58I haven't seen it.
00:39:00The risk outweighed.
00:39:02It's outweighed the reward this week, especially with what an effective floater she has.
00:39:07Right.
00:39:08She's in the finals, so who am I to say?
00:39:09Good read from Victoria.
00:39:13Tomlin trying to roll up Victoria.
00:39:15And how about that cut shot?
00:39:17That is as slimy as can be for Victoria from the left.
00:39:20And for all this talk about the disruption and defensive genius from Italy in this second set, Brazil's down just two.
00:39:29And they're the world number one for a reason.
00:39:31They're guaranteed their sixth medal in 11 events as partners for a reason.
00:39:35They're going to push back.
00:39:36And here we're seeing the counterpunch.
00:39:37We've got the chest.
00:39:40A little bit of trouble here.
00:39:42Wreck it with an open net.
00:39:43And Tomlin, I think, thought that one was a little deeper and tries to regather herself.
00:39:50And she just has that reactionary baby hop.
00:39:53And that puts her off balance enough that she can't come down and gather and just make a play with her platform.
00:39:58Funny little play.
00:40:02Oh, my!
00:40:04That's a big one.
00:40:05Rekha finds an ace.
00:40:07And it was Rekha's serving that came up so big in that semifinal win over Sinha Tillman and Savannah Moa.
00:40:15It's usually Valentina that racks up the aces.
00:40:17And Rekha has been racking him up all week long.
00:40:20Feet on that pass from Tomlin.
00:40:22Nobody up.
00:40:24And there's the swing on the pole that we were looking for from Tomlin.
00:40:28Yeah, that's an excellent swing from Tomlin.
00:40:30She's mostly trying to go high and over the pole of Valentina.
00:40:35And that one she just smokes.
00:40:42Victoria, a little sidewinder serve.
00:40:44And she can't believe that either she hit that or she missed that.
00:40:47Either one.
00:40:49I like the thought.
00:40:50I like the thought because if that drops, if that gets a little love from the Rothenbaum,
00:40:55it's going to be a very difficult play for Valentina to make.
00:40:59As we said, Rothenbaum giveth, Rothenbaum taketh.
00:41:04Italy looking to take the second set.
00:41:11Tomlin.
00:41:12Oh, and sneaks it under Valentina.
00:41:15Now Tomlin starting to settle back into the rhythm, back into that automatic side-out tagging line.
00:41:23Another look at it.
00:41:25She goes to the high line.
00:41:26That is going to get touched from Valentina.
00:41:29She opts for the low, slimy line.
00:41:32Deep at the chest.
00:41:34Oh, my.
00:41:35What a set from Valentina.
00:41:38Tomlin in transition.
00:41:40And into the deep angle she goes.
00:41:42And now Tomlin starting to find a really good rhythm, like you said.
00:41:47And for a while there, it was all Italy.
00:41:51And now it seems as if Italy just needs to survive the end of this second set to push it to three.
00:42:01Oh, that one does not want to come down for Tomlin.
00:42:06And that's a good way to survive getting the freebie.
00:42:10I think it might be time to throw on Victoria's way as well.
00:42:12Tomlin starting to get a little bit too cozy.
00:42:14Tomlin right at the face of Guattardi, who's just looking for answers right now with the offense of Tomlin Cordelli.
00:42:25And Guattardi's pool digging was a highlight of their round of 12 victory over Luisa Littman and Linda Bach.
00:42:30That's one of the reasons that they were able to make that five-point comeback in the third set.
00:42:33Just hasn't been able to get it going yet.
00:42:3617.
00:42:37Italy.
00:42:39Hold off.
00:42:40World number one.
00:42:41An untimely error from records to talk.
00:42:47And now it's just within one.
00:42:49And we talked about patience for Italy in that first set.
00:42:51What a display of mature patience from Victoria and Tomlin.
00:42:55After pressing a little bit, they settled back in.
00:42:59We're the number one team in the world.
00:43:00We're going to be just fine.
00:43:02Oh, and that one wiggled and waggled around for the seam ace.
00:43:06And Travis, we are all tied up.
00:43:09Five-point comeback.
00:43:11Is complete.
00:43:12It was once nine for Italy.
00:43:15And now here's Brazil.
00:43:16Seven teens.
00:43:17Can Italy hang on?
00:43:21What a pass.
00:43:23Tough serve.
00:43:25Nobody up.
00:43:25Victoria says, I got it.
00:43:28Not yet.
00:43:30Option from Guattardi.
00:43:31The fans love it.
00:43:34Onions.
00:43:35What a clutch shot on two from Valentina Guattardi.
00:43:40And credit must be given to the ball control from Rekka Orsita.
00:43:44The tomahawk dig a perfect set.
00:43:47Look at the control of that.
00:43:48Right on top of the net for a partner to go get.
00:43:51Yeah, and that's where you want to put it when you have Valentina as your partner.
00:43:54Put it up to the net.
00:43:56Let her feast.
00:43:56Oh, float serve.
00:44:03Oh, is missing that one.
00:44:06Italy would go up two.
00:44:08The jumbo middle was a bold choice, Kyle.
00:44:11Had it fit in, though.
00:44:13Rekka was darting to the line.
00:44:14It would have gone down for a kill.
00:44:15But at 18-17, I don't know if that's option A.
00:44:24Lily looking to hold on.
00:44:27Fake option.
00:44:28Tomala.
00:44:29The line play from Guattardi.
00:44:31She gets the right first touch.
00:44:33It's kind of a weird touch on the second one.
00:44:37And I don't know if Tomala was able to get there first.
00:44:39The problem with jumping as high as Valentina does is it takes longer to get back up.
00:44:43And Tomala wasn't able to get there.
00:44:45And it's a difficult play, even for someone as athletic as Valentina.
00:44:5119th.
00:44:52It's hardy.
00:44:53She's been quiet at service eve.
00:44:55And that is why she stays locked in.
00:44:58That is so hard to do.
00:44:59And that was Valentina coming in slow.
00:45:03She slowed down on her step goes and still puts that much pop on it.
00:45:07Set point number one for the Italians.
00:45:15And it's going to be a walk-off ace for RECA.
00:45:18Italy hold on after a press from Brazil.
00:45:23And this is what the fans want.
00:45:24They want a three-setter.
00:45:25What they really want is Italy to win.
00:45:27But they'll take a three-setter.
00:45:28It's been a strange Sunday.
00:45:31We've had more blowouts on a Sunday here on the Beach Pro Tour in as long as I can remember.
00:45:37And this is the high-level three-set belter that I think everybody was waiting to see all day
00:45:43as you have two young teams playing at the peak of their abilities.
00:45:48Exciting match back and forth.
00:45:50Yeah, I took the words right out of my mouth.
00:45:52This is the match we were expecting for a lot of these matches today.
00:45:56Let's take a look at the set two statistics.
00:45:59Boom.
00:45:59Two errors only for Italy.
00:46:01That is huge for them.
00:46:03Three service aces sprinkling a couple blocks from Valentina.
00:46:08But it is the disruption, the defensive disruption from Italy that caused all the trouble for Brazil.
00:46:15The fans bring out the phones and bring out the dance moves.
00:46:20What a scene here in Hamburg.
00:46:27Shout-out to our DJ, Fabian.
00:46:29Getting everyone on their feet.
00:46:31How's my power rankings of DJs in the Beach Pro Tour?
00:46:36Zardes set number three.
00:46:38And it starts with a hammer from Valentina Gattardi.
00:46:43These are the moments that Valentina lives for.
00:46:46She did an interview with Graham Hayes out in Montreal.
00:46:48And she says, I want to be in front of the biggest crowds and the biggest moments.
00:46:52That's when I thrive.
00:46:53And she's showing it.
00:46:56Brazil trying to match the intensity.
00:46:58Cut, shot, dig.
00:47:00Rekha from the left.
00:47:02Nobody up.
00:47:03Off the hands of Tamala.
00:47:05Goes Rekha Orsita.
00:47:06And you know Valentina was tempted to take that first one on, too.
00:47:11You saw the little pump fake.
00:47:12Trust her partner to put it away.
00:47:14Rekha earns that trust with a big side out in transition.
00:47:20Tamala going to go overhead.
00:47:22I like the movement.
00:47:24And a good touch.
00:47:25Timing there is perfect for Valentina.
00:47:27Just a better shot from Tamala.
00:47:30We say a lot on the comments.
00:47:31Good offense beats good defense.
00:47:33That's the display of it.
00:47:43Line to line.
00:47:44Dropping serve.
00:47:46Run through set for Valentina.
00:47:48The pickup from Victoria.
00:47:50To tie things up.
00:47:52Good pull.
00:47:52One-arm stabby from Guitardi.
00:47:55Victoria with the stuff.
00:47:57But it goes and stays alive.
00:47:59That one, though.
00:48:02That one's not coming back.
00:48:07Valentina has come to play.
00:48:10Some one-handed pull digs.
00:48:12And then a Yahtzee into the crowd.
00:48:15And that is going to be a timeout.
00:48:17Another early one for Brazil.
00:48:20Brazil taking a page out of Italian's book.
00:48:24In terms of taking these early timeouts.
00:48:27And I think trying to just slow the energy and the momentum that is Italy right now.
00:48:35Because any big swing for Valentina, there is a rush.
00:48:38A wave of energy that comes around in Rock and Bomb Stadium.
00:48:42And I'll tell you one thing.
00:48:44If I am Victorian Tamala's coach,
00:48:46I'm saying, for your health,
00:48:48don't pull on Valentina Guitardi.
00:48:51It is unsafe.
00:48:55For your health.
00:48:57Indeed.
00:48:57Safety first.
00:48:59Out here on the Beach Pro Tour.
00:49:01And Guitardi is going headhunting.
00:49:02And that's why it's pretty much just far for the course for Valentina.
00:49:09And now, the question is, how does Brazil respond?
00:49:14They responded in the second set.
00:49:20I have no doubt that they will in the third.
00:49:22The question is, how long will it take?
00:49:25Guitardi has given up an awful lot of line.
00:49:27Tempting Valentina to serve her.
00:49:31Just stay on Tamala.
00:49:32And that one clips the line.
00:49:38And a quick challenge here from Italy.
00:49:39It looks very close, but I think it's in.
00:49:41I had it a little out.
00:49:43I thought that was a sand splash on the line.
00:49:45And for the first time all week, we have the cameras doing the...
00:49:53Yes.
00:49:54All right.
00:49:55So all week, it's been the ref coming down on the ball in or out challenge.
00:50:01And now, for the biggest match, appropriate enough,
00:50:04we're using the cameras.
00:50:05And it is out of bounds.
00:50:07There you go.
00:50:08Travis with the 20-20 vision up here in the booth.
00:50:12Victoria is in disbelief.
00:50:15And instead of it being 3-2, 4-1,
00:50:19ooh, boy, Italy with a nice lead to start this third set.
00:50:36Tamala.
00:50:37Slide approach.
00:50:38Rekha is there.
00:50:40Rekha with nobody up.
00:50:43Oh, nice play out of the net.
00:50:44This one's going to go out of bounds, though.
00:50:47Another point for Italy.
00:50:51And I know that Tamala, she makes the play on that pool.
00:50:54They can get the touch.
00:50:55But she has to stay up a little bit longer because Valentina knows now she's clearing out.
00:51:00She's setting her 50-50.
00:51:01And it's making it so hard for Tamala to make any kind of dig.
00:51:05And that's why she's really only made one pool dig this whole match.
00:51:105-1.
00:51:12Fourth serve.
00:51:14Tamala retreats.
00:51:16Poke over.
00:51:17Good read from Rekha.
00:51:18Turn it on to Jets to try and collect that.
00:51:21It's a perfect shot there from Tamala.
00:51:23Rekha was Jets on.
00:51:26Trying to get that short line poke.
00:51:27Have a look at this play.
00:51:33A little poke over.
00:51:36Brazil finds something from the service line.
00:51:38Rekha's been rock steady.
00:51:41And she will continue.
00:51:44Neither Brazilian player don't think could have gotten that one.
00:51:46The poise of Rekha Orsita is extraordinary.
00:51:52It's your first elite final.
00:51:54And she is playing so well.
00:51:56So calm.
00:51:57Getting so much pressure.
00:52:01Trouble here.
00:52:02But it's another ace for the player who is rising to the occasion in this gold medal match.
00:52:08We talked about there's three aces in the second set.
00:52:10All of them.
00:52:11Rekha Orsita.
00:52:12Here in the third.
00:52:13It is Rekha again with that angle-to-angle, left-to-left, lefty.
00:52:17Now Tamala and Victoria switch in sides.
00:52:19Feeding up the look.
00:52:21Poke over, swatted.
00:52:22Somehow that's covered.
00:52:26Valentina a chance in transition.
00:52:28The Gator dig.
00:52:30It's not good enough.
00:52:31Because Italy is playing lights out in this third set.
00:52:34They want it.
00:52:36And this is both Italian players rising to the occasion.
00:52:41Valentina playing one of the best tournaments we've seen from her.
00:52:44Which is saying something because we have seen some extraordinary stuff from her.
00:52:47And Rekha playing at levels we've never seen from her.
00:52:52Tough serve with the movement.
00:52:55Rekha is there with plenty of time.
00:52:58Chance to go up 9-2.
00:53:00The biggest swing from Rekha Orsita this match.
00:53:05This is special.
00:53:06This is a special, special performance from Italy.
00:53:10And Rekha Orsita, younger sister of Victoria Orsita.
00:53:14It was always her dream to play with her big sister.
00:53:17And now she's putting on a performance that would make her proud.
00:53:19Tomala, no touch.
00:53:23Out of bounds.
00:53:25And the hits just keep on coming for Brazil.
00:53:29And we haven't seen a rut for this Brazilian team in as long as I can remember.
00:53:35And that's a credit to what Italy's been doing defensively.
00:53:39Another bullet there.
00:53:40And the little reverse pokey from Victoria.
00:53:43Victoria, and that is what is required right now for Brazil to find a point.
00:53:48Victoria is going to have to go hero mode right now.
00:53:51And she's going to have to take some rifts.
00:53:53And if she makes a couple errors, so be it.
00:53:54Because right now, she needs to take over this ballgame.
00:54:01Rekha out wide.
00:54:02Another pull from Tomala.
00:54:04And again, just a little early, Coach.
00:54:08A little early.
00:54:09And Rekha, who has vision as it is,
00:54:11she can see she has the whole ocean in front of her open net.
00:54:15And she's just teeing off.
00:54:18Yeah, I know Tomala in Brazil.
00:54:20Good federation.
00:54:21Good pull digging.
00:54:22But man, got to give Rekha a little bit more respect.
00:54:30Tight ball.
00:54:31And somehow, Victoria, you wanted her to take over.
00:54:34I didn't think you meant her taking over at the net as a blocker.
00:54:38Especially not on an overpass with Valentina running up with a full head.
00:54:41A lot of steam.
00:54:43But Victoria's just finding a way.
00:54:46All you can do is just get those palms over and find a way.
00:54:49Put the hands up.
00:54:51Hope something good happens.
00:54:534-11.
00:54:54Brazil's in a hole.
00:54:56Rekha.
00:54:57And a first little error that we've seen from Italy in this whole third set, I think.
00:55:04That's the first sign of mortality that we've seen from Italy in this first set.
00:55:09It's very much like Brazil did through the technical timeout of the first.
00:55:12And Tomala staying there.
00:55:19But it's not, doesn't matter.
00:55:21Because it's all Rekha right now in this third set.
00:55:24Sweet swing from Rekha.
00:55:26And I like the block lineup from Tomala too.
00:55:28It's just good offense beats good defense.
00:55:30And that is a fine swing from Rekha Horsetok.
00:55:38All the way of Victoria.
00:55:39It's been very quiet inside out for Victoria.
00:55:42It's a freebie for Rekha.
00:55:44To go up 13-5.
00:55:47You better believe it.
00:55:50Just all caps, no breaks.
00:55:52Sometimes teams enter a tournament and they just got that juju, that little magic.
00:55:57And coming off the last place finish in Montreal, just a little kick in the rear they maybe needed.
00:56:06And Victoria gets the touch there.
00:56:11And I think our crowd is getting a little excited, thinking it's championship point.
00:56:18It is not yet.
00:56:22The point went the way of Brazil.
00:56:23Touch there.
00:56:24Called by Valentina.
00:56:26They get to get excited twice.
00:56:30Quick turnaround.
00:56:31Quick change there.
00:56:32Right fast.
00:56:33Now it's championship point.
00:56:35Well, everybody's on their feet.
00:56:37Just getting everyone ready for the championship point.
00:56:41Now this is where Valentina might try something pretty fun.
00:56:44Yeah.
00:56:45Yeah.
00:56:45Take a chance.
00:56:46She might just have a crack at it.
00:56:50Looking for Italy's first elite gold medal ever.
00:56:59Line-to-line at Victoria.
00:57:03On the line.
00:57:04Look at that reaction.
00:57:12And Italy get their first, like you said, their first ever elite gold medal.
00:57:18They run through the field here, taking down the world number one.
00:57:23What a performance in their first ever gold medal match.
00:57:26That second set and that third set was something special from Italy.
00:57:31You talk about a team rising to a level we've never seen them play at.
00:57:35Playing at a level we've literally never seen them at.
00:57:39In the gold medal match of the new league.
00:57:40So that will mark the first gold medal for the Italian women in the beach pro tour era.
00:57:46A huge congratulations to Valentina Guitardi and Rekka Orsita.
00:57:54What a performance from the Italians.
00:57:58They turned it on in that second and third set.
00:58:03Like Trav said.
00:58:05They did not look back.
00:58:10A special moment there with coach Katerina DeMarinas.
00:58:15It's a full group effort.
00:58:17It's been a long grind of a season.
00:58:23So many tournaments.
00:58:26A lot of losses.
00:58:28A few wins.
00:58:31A couple fists.
00:58:32Three to be exact.
00:58:33And elites had not broken into that semifinal of the elite.
00:58:38They do here.
00:58:41That's the swing that goes wide.
00:58:43And there's the look of absolute jubilation.
00:58:47And jumping for joy.
00:58:50Italy.
00:58:52Will take home.
00:58:55That elusive gold medal.
00:58:57And there is coach.
00:58:59Feeling all of the emotions.
00:59:01Coach Katerina.
00:59:05It's a proud moment.
00:59:07For them.
00:59:08I'm getting teary eyed here in the booth.
00:59:10It's exciting.
00:59:12For the beach pro tour.
00:59:13It's good for the sport of volleyball.
00:59:18Victoria Tamala.
00:59:20An amazing tournament.
00:59:21They will take a silver medal.
00:59:22They will get six out of the last 11 events.
00:59:27Have a medal.
00:59:28It's truly something special.
00:59:29They are the world number one.
00:59:30But that team right there.
00:59:34They are number one here in Hamburg.
00:59:39They're walking away with the gold medal.
00:59:41And a cool 40 grand check.
00:59:46Special moment for Italy.
00:59:48And they showed all week long that they are one of the best teams in the world.
00:59:55And they can compete with the best teams in the world.
00:59:58To our gold medalists Valentina Guitardi and Rekka Orsi-Toth.
01:00:04Winners in Hamburg.
01:00:11Valentina.
01:00:12You guys were coming off a performance in Montreal in which you didn't win a match.
01:00:17And then you come here two weeks later.
01:00:19And you have the best tournament of your careers.
01:00:22What was the difference between then and now?
01:00:24I think that last tournament in Montreal was difficult because Rekka was coming back from an injury.
01:00:31But she showed that she's such a great player.
01:00:35And, you know, you saw her today.
01:00:37She was amazing.
01:00:38So congratulations to Rekka because she deserved it.
01:00:46And Rekka, your sister Victoria won her last tournament in 2018 in Agadir.
01:00:51What does it mean to get your first victory here seven years later in Hamburg?
01:00:58I mean, it's such an honor to play in here.
01:01:01You know, when I was growing up and watching my sister play around the world,
01:01:05I was just a little girl hoping that I could, like, play on a court like this.
01:01:10And winning a tournament here, it seems really like a dream.
01:01:15Like a dream come true.
01:01:16Yeah.
01:01:21A dream come true.
01:01:23And a huge congratulations to our winners, Rekka Worsitath and Valentina Guitardi.
01:01:28And one more time, we will have a Mikasa moment sending the autographed balls into the crowd.
01:01:35Back to you, Kyle.
01:01:40Rekka getting a little teary-eyed there, talking about big sis.
01:01:45A dream come true for her.
01:01:47Might as well have been a home crowd here for this Italian team because it has been that way since they started playing,
01:02:00beating all these German teams.
01:02:02And this crowd has jumped on the Italian bandwagon.
01:02:08And how can you not love this Italian team?
01:02:11Cinderella's story of this tournament.
01:02:14Making a statement here in Hamburg.
01:02:18A special, special moment for them.
01:02:24Congratulations on their gold medal.
01:02:27Cinderella's a look at our final score, 17-21, 21-18, and then 15-6.
01:02:33Just amazing volleyball being played.
01:02:36The disruption defensively from Italy, causing all sorts of trouble for Brazil.
01:02:43And again, I love that Valentina shouted out her partner and how steady and solid she was.
01:02:49She got served 95% of the ball.
01:02:52And she stuck in there and sided out like a champ.
01:02:57Something special.
01:02:59And, Travis, I love that you got Rekka to get a little teary-eyed there, talking about her sister.
01:03:04It's a dream come true.
01:03:05What a special moment for them.
01:03:06And the first time I met Rekka was her freshman year at Loyola Marymount.
01:03:10And she said her dream was always to play with Victoria.
01:03:13And now she gets to extend the Orsita reign on the Beach Pro Tour as her own star here with Valentina Guitardi.
01:03:22And there's no doubt about it.
01:03:24These two are young superstars who just took down the world number one.
01:03:28And also young superstars in their own right.
01:03:31What a phenomenal final.
01:03:32Yeah, that's the final.
01:03:34That's the match we've been waiting for today.
01:03:37And it ends on quite the exclamation point.
01:03:41The way of the Italian team who have taken the hearts of Hamburg.
01:03:46They already had our hearts.
01:03:47But now they have 4,000-plus German fans that are going to follow them for the rest of the year.
01:03:54Italy go home with the gold medal.
01:03:56Tamalo-Victoria will take the silver.
01:03:59What a tournament here in Hamburg.
01:04:03Congratulations to all the teams that competed and performed here.
01:04:07It's been a special event.
01:04:09Eighth time in Hamburg.
01:04:10And I believe we will keep coming back.
01:04:13Shout-out to all the fans that made this weekend special.
01:04:15All the volunteers.
01:04:16All the referees.
01:04:18Shout-out to our production crew.
01:04:20Everyone that is involved with making the Beach Pro Tour what it is.
01:04:24For Travis Merwerter, I am Kyle Friend.
01:04:26And we have hoped you've enjoyed this broadcast as much as we have called it.
01:04:33Because this was a fun, fun week.
01:04:36That is it for now.
01:04:37We will see you in Brazil, fans.
01:04:39Have a great night.
01:04:40We have a great night.
01:04:53We'll see you in Brazil.
01:04:53We'll see you in Brazil.
01:04:54We'll see you in Brazil.
01:11:55Andi Grote, Senator for the Interior and Sports City of Hamburg.
01:12:04Andi Grote.
01:12:34Andi Grote, Norway.
01:12:36Andi Grote, Norway.
01:12:37Andi Grote, Norway.
01:12:44Andi Grote, those are the photos.
01:12:51Andi Grote, those are the photos that go around the world.
01:12:53And once again, put your hands together for our medalists.
01:12:58Andi Grote, and I'll be right back.
01:13:01Andi Grote, and I'll be right back.
01:13:05Andi Grote, and I'll be right back.
01:13:12And I'll be right back.
01:13:19And I'll be right back.
01:13:21And here are the medalists for the women competition.
01:13:24And I'll be right back.
01:13:25And here are the medalists for the women competition.
01:13:31And I'll be right back.
01:13:38And I'll be right back.
01:13:39And Christina, you guys are going to be right out there.
01:13:42And I'll be right back.
01:13:44And
01:14:22Beach Pro Tour Elite 16, 20-25, bronze medalist Anna Patrizia Iduda.
01:14:35Medals presented by Megan Bergdorf, BPD Elite 16 Newport Beach Event Host.
01:14:54Auch bei der Damenkonkurrenz werden die Medaillen von Megan Bergdorf übergeben, die das Event in Newport Beach hosten wird.
01:15:06Herzlichen Glückwunsch noch einmal an das Team Brasilien, bronze medalist Anna Patrizia Iduda.
01:15:12Hamburg 2025, silver medalist.
01:15:33Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Tamela und Viktoria.
01:15:47Medals presented by Frank Emrich, Board Member of the Club Under Alster und Rotenbaum Stadion.
01:15:55Frank Emrich überreicht als Vertreter des Clubs Under Alster und des Rotenbaum Stadions die Medaillen in Silber.
01:16:06Und wir sagen noch einmal herzlichen Glückwunsch, silver medalist of Hamburg, Tamela e. Viktoria.
01:16:13Beach Pro Tour Elite 16, gold medalist of Hamburg.
01:16:38The Italian job done.
01:16:42So make some noise for Valentina Gotthardy and Reka Ossetard.
01:17:01Medals presented by Andy Grote.
01:17:06Senator of the Interior and Sports City of Hamburg, Andy Grote, macht sich auf den Weg und wird die Goldmedaillen überreichen.
01:17:19Der Innen- und Sportsenator der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg hat sich Unterstützung besorgt.
01:17:24Besorgt die großen, schweren Goldmedaillen an die großen Gewinnerin und die hanseatischen Steuerräder.
01:17:39In die Hände der Goldmedaillen-Gewinnerin von Hamburg, Team Italy, Valentina Gotthardy und Reka Ossetard.
01:17:51Happy Toch!
01:18:01Nee, nee, nee!
01:18:05Nee, nee!
01:19:15And now we are ready for the Champagne.
01:19:42And now we are ready for Champagne.
01:20:12We are ready for Champagne.
01:20:42We are ready for Champagne.
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