Beach volleyball players Samoilov / Šmēdiņš starts the tournament in Mexico with a victory / Article

In the tournament with the fourth number, the Latvian duo defeated the Chileans Noi Araven and Venta Dorgvet 2-0 (21:17, 21:16), who were sown in the competition with the 21st number and overcame the qualification barrier.

Chileans were better in the attack, scoring 24 points against Latvians 22. In other statistics, Latvian volleyball players were better – in the block (2: 1), in the serve (3: 2) and especially in the points scored by opponents (15: 6).

In the fight for the first place in the group, the opponents of the Latvian duo will be Estonians Kusti Nelvaks and Marts Tīsārs (16th). In the first games of the group, they defeated the Austrians Christoph Dresler and Alexander Huber 2-1 (18:21, 21:15, 15: 7).

Samoilov and Šmēdiņš have already earned 460 world ranking points for their performance in Mexico.

It has already been reported that on Wednesday the first qualifying round was not overcome by Latvia over Varvara Brailko / Deniela Konstantinova, Ardis Bedrītis / Artūrs Rinkevičs and Edgars Točs / Kristians Fokerots.

The Challenge, the second-ranked new Pro Beach Tour calendar, will run until March 20th.

First of all, eight pairs in 32 men’s and women’s competitions in three qualifying rounds were identified, who joined the top 16 duets who had already entered the main event.

In six groups of four duets, the participants of the playoffs will be determined, who will later determine the winners according to the Olympic system.

The total prize pool for the tournament is $ 150,000 (€ 136,500).

The first level competition in the “Pro Beach Tour” will be called “Elite 16”, the second in the ranking is “Challenge”, the third – “Futures” competition.

The first leg of the Elite 16 is scheduled for next week in Rosarito, Mexico.

The second stage of “Elite 16” will take place at the end of May in the Czech city of Ostrava, and the third from June 1 to 5 – in Jurmala.

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