Following Brazilian couple Emanuel and Alison, Juliana and Larissa won the gold at the Grand Slam held in Berlin, replicating the success of their compatriots.
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After beating fifth-seeded Italian pair Cicolari/Menegatti in the semifinal match, Larissa/Juliana faced Cheneese top duo Xue/Zhang Xi. The mach lasted 39 minute and was rather one-sided spectacle. In the first part Brazilian pair was visibly a better one as they took the set with 21-16, showing great confidence. The second part brought more emotions with two match points saved by Xue/Zhang Xi but eventually Larissa/Juliana claimed the victory, giving Brazilian fans another reason to celebrate.
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โIโm so happy because we played with the right mentality,โ Juliana said. โIโm very, very happy with our attitude and I really, really want it to stay like this for the rest of the season.”
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In the bronze medal match Cicolari/Menegatti defeated Germans Holtwick/Semmler trashing local pair in the first set with 21:13. Next part was much more closer than the previous one as German couple kept pace with their rivals and the second set ended with narrow victory claimed by Cicolari/Menegatti (21:19) what meant that the bronze medal went to Italians.
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โWeโve now reached four semifinals in six tournaments and won three medals,โ Cicolari said. โWe are still missing gold, but the main thing is we won a medal. We have improved and developed as a team and are happy with how it has gone here.โ
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Semifinals results
Cicolari/Menegatti (ITA) – Larissa/Juliana (BRA) 0:2
(18:21, 16:21)
Xue/Zhang Xi (CHN) – Holtwick/Semmler (GER) 2:1
(21:15, 19:21, 15:11)
Bronze medal match
Holtwick/Semmler (GER) – Cicolari/Menegatti (ITA) 0:2
(13:21, 19:21)
Final match
Xue/Zhang Xi (CHN) – Larissa/Juliana (BRA) 0:2
(16:21, 18:21)
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photo: fivb.org
