HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ITALY, AUGUST 2008

Gambi, Calbucci Steal Gold from M2 (Mingozzi/Marighella)

Play Every Point like it was your LAST!!

Meloni's Stay Cool in the Heat of the Final!

The Australian Sandflies team finished equal 3rd with Brasil at the 8th World Championships in Italia. Congratulations to the team, Mel Butler, Belinda O'Connor, Kellie de Burgh, James Knaggs, Paul Mapley and Con Christopoulous.

It was an amazing effort with 12 teams competing at the World Championships this year in Marina di Ravenna in Italy. It was the most countries competing in the history of the event all fighting hard for a place on the podium, Germany, U.S.A., Poland, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, Brasil, Aruba, French and Italy.

The highlight for the Australian team was the match against our friends the Portuguese. The Portuguese came out firing in the men's match with the Aussie's leading early 4-1 with only to be reigined in by the portuguese armada Teago and Miguel beating Paul and James 7-4 Next was the energy and skill by Melaine and Belinda not losing their focus for a minute and doing their country very proud winning 7-4 against Ana and Inesh making the rubbers 1 all. So it was all up to James and Kellie to contribute to the team getting a chance on the podium who took on the challenge and won 7-4 against Miguel and Ana.

Congruatulations to the Italian team for finishing first they truly are champion beach tennis players.

Final Result saw;

1. Italy 2. French 3. Brasil and Australia. Next with Brasil and Australia competing for the World Ranking of 3 and saw Brasil win, not without a fight from our dynamic awesome women's double team Mel Butler and Belinda O'Connor winning the women's rubber and the men James Knaggs and Paul Mapley and the mixed team, Kellie de Burgh and James Knaggs both losing to the Brasil team in epic tiebreakers. Congratulations Brasil! winning 2-1.

World Rankings;

1. Italy 2. French 3. Brasil 4. Australia