Two wins in two games without even leaving a single run. Another day at the office, mundane and ordinary, for the two best beach volleyball duos in the world.
Anders Mol and Christian Sorum were covered in sand after their second meeting of the day ended in another shutout on Thursday during the first day of the group stage of the Elite16 tournament organized by the Beach Pro Tour at Parc Jean-Drapeau . The two giants showed up in the mixed media area dressed as Sandman, Peter Parker’s nemesis.
Concluding with satisfaction has become a habit for the Norwegian duo. They have been favorites for almost four years on the circuit, as Sorum recalled, and they have appeared in the finals of every tournament since the start of the season.
“It’s our consistency that allows us to be the best in the world,” says Mol, wiping the sand from his arms, only to inadvertently send it to a dwindling notebook as he goes. measurement of the interview.
To be in all the finals in 2023 is “a big achievement,” said the 26-year-old. “We had never experienced it before,” he continues.
Even though Thursday’s two games felt routine with their unquestioned dominance, “the first set [of the last game] was very difficult,” insists Sorum. However, the duo built their reputation on their ability to always get out of trouble. A rally is never complete until the ball hits the sand. Their fighting spirit won over Montreal fans.
Their Quebec epic began in Laval, in the kingdom of the Martins, where Matte, Petit and St-Louis made the 400 blows. The fact being that Mol’s sister-in-law resides there. “It was really fun, and especially there, playing near the F1 paddocks! »
A detour to the Colossus did not prevent them from continuing their momentum. If they are in Montreal, it is to continue playing in the final, and even more, as Sorum points out: “We had good preparation and a good start to the tournament. We, all we want is to play well and win tournaments. So far, mission accomplished. »
Still wiping the summer snow covering his forearms, Mol refuses to believe that the duo he has formed since 2016 with his teammate has reached the end of its potential. Despite Olympic gold in 2021, four European championship titles and numerous podiums on the Beach Pro Tour, they are not satisfied.
If their wishes come true, the other duos will have a lot to do to defeat the two kings of men’s beach volleyball.
There was brief talk of Casper Ruud and Viktor Hovland, two Norwegian heroes, and it all ended with a frank and strong handshake, thus destroying the cleanliness of a paw now damaged by sand, sweat and a ounce of sunscreen applied beforehand.
After the interview, fans flocked to the two champions. “We’re getting used to it,” Mol breathes, maintaining a frozen smile during one of the thirty photos taken in the span of a few minutes.
Eduarda Santos Lisboa, nicknamed simply “Duda”, and her partner Ana Patricia Ramos, also concluded their first day of competition with an unblemished record.
While the showers and the sound of the deluge on the metal stands around the center court discouraged some ticket holders at the start of the day, the sun came out when the Brazilians arrived on the pitch.
With their smiles, their spontaneity and their enthusiasm, it is not surprising that the sun and the heat of the south followed them to the metropolis.
They played immediately after the Norwegians. Like them, they made short work of their opponents, proving why they were the favorites to triumph this week.
Their shyness and their small voice contrasted with all the ardor and aggressiveness deployed on the ground a few minutes earlier.
According to her, it is their chemistry that is at the center of their success. “It’s our union. But we also want to prioritize fun on top of giving our best and today is no different,” Ramos says, apologizing at the end of his sentence about his English. This will be the case throughout the interview, after each answer, even if his English was not embarrassing. However, she couldn’t help but finish some sentences in Portuguese.
“It comes from our training,” adds Duda of their complicity.
“We work together on a daily basis, it sure creates a closeness. It is an everyday job. »
First in the general classification, the reigning world champions are on a streak of two consecutive triumphs.
“There are so many good teams. Obviously, we want to stay number one, especially for the Olympic classification,” said the 24-year-old athlete. If the goal is to stay at the top, it is therefore to ensure their place at the Paris Games, in a year.
With the Brazilian flag on his shoulders, Duda explains why standing on the top step of the Olympic podium would be so meaningful: “It’s our dream. There are so many good teams in Brazil, that’s why maintaining the top spot is super important. »
One thing is certain, they can count on the unwavering support of Brazilian supporters. They were dozens around the central court, Thursday afternoon. They were all there too, afterwards, around the interview. At the end of it, the fans were tearing them up. Duda and Ana Patricia had become Paul and John for an improvised photo shoot, but for which they took all their time.
