My technical knowledge of beach volleyball could be written on the back of a stamp, despite being hypnotically drawn to the young women playing down on Los Cristianos beach. Well I’m about to get a master class from the best male pairs players in Europe as the Tenerife Champions Cup unfolds at Siam Park from Friday October 3 to Sunday October 5, and entry is FREE.
Great Britain start the action off against Spain’s first pairing at noon on Friday. Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa took part in the recent Olympics and are the top players in Spain. Great Britain’s duo is Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki, who train at Bath University. The pair are gearing up to play on Horse Guards Parade at London 2012, hope they clear up anything the guards horses may have left behind.
Today was the press launch at the amphitheatre, capacity 1,500, just above the Wave Palace and imported beach at Siam Park. Giving a taste of the glamour and excitement to come, the 8 strong cheer leading team of Champions Girls, made a big impression with their alluring smiles. They were a little formal and over dressed today, but I believe they will be strutting their stuff in eye catching outfits during the breaks in games, backed by a light and music display. Don’t worry ladies, this is a mens tournament, and im sure they will impress you with their muscular sporting prowess.
The 8 teams are split into 2 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group going into the semi final stage. First team to 21 points, or a 2 point lead after the 20-20 draw stage, wins a set, and a match is decided over 3 sets. A third deciding set goes to just 15 points, again with the 2 point lead needed after they hit 14-14. Entry is FREE, don’t go to the main entrance of Siam Park, keep going up the side after you come over the motorway, and look for the huge inflatable orange drink can by the door.
MATCHES
·    FRIDAY OCTOBER 3
·    Noon –  Great Britain v Spain 1 Â
·    1pm – Spain 2 v Germany
·    2 pm – France v Italy
·    3 pm – Poland v Russia
·    4 pm – Spain 2 v France
·    5 pm – Spain 1 v Poland
·    SATURDAY OCTOBER 4
·    Noon – Germany v Italy
·    1 pm – Spain 1 v Russia
·    2 pm – Poland v Great Britain
·    3 pm - Spain 2 v Italy
·    4 pm – Germany v France
·    5 pm – Russia v Great Britain
·    SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
·    11.30 am – Ist Semi Final
·    12.30 pm – 2nd Semi Final
·    3 pm – GRAND FINAL
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