Women
Final 1st Place
Kociolek-Baran POL [15] Schützenhöfer-Plesiutschnig AUT [8] 2-0 (21-19, 21-14)
Final 3rd Place
Zhang CH. N.-LIN Lingling CHN [3] Martin-Menet-Haure FRA [19] 2-1 (20-22, 21-17, 15-11)
Men
Final 1st Place
Takvam-Sannarnes NOR [12] Kosiak-Kaczmarek POL [3] 1-2 (21-17, 19-21, 13-15)
Final 3rd Place
Nusbaum-O'Gorman CAN [8] Lerch-Lerch SUI [10] 2-1 (21-15, 23-25, 15-13)
Amazing 5 days in Umag, wonderful weather and great beach volleyball, breathtaking picture will explain it:
http://www.fivb.org/visasp/ShowImage.aspx?No=201108254
24 teams entered each gender main draw, and at the end polish youth players took double gold, continuting tradition, especially in mens competiton, new champions following Kadziola/Szalankiewicz and Kantor/Losiak, world youth champions from same country. They have big crew behind them, scouting, preparing and this approach brought excellent results. Most impressive player is Norway huge 202cm blocker Takvam, IMO he is destined to be big player in future.
http://www.fivb.org/visasp/ShowImage.aspx?No=201109600
Canadian team continued latest excellent results of their young players on world championships...With finals, maybe best game of tournament was their 1/4finals vs excellent austrian couple Petutschning/Winter. 4-5 teams deserved to win here, Polish had best of luck/skills and won it...
http://www.fivb.org/visasp/ShowImage.aspx?No=201109599
Poland women team didnt have so much problems in tournament, although they lost to Lithuanian team in group phase. Very convincing wins in knockout round, and 100%deserved gold. Very interesting players, solid teams and bright future for this sport...
http://www.fivb.org/visasp/ShowImage.aspx?No=201109626