Europe, Aug 31: Okka Rau and Stephanie Pohl of Germany won the women's European Beach Volleyball title when they beat compatriots Andrea Ahmann and Jana Vollmer 21-15, 21-18 in Alanya, Turkey on Saturday (August 30).
With 4,000 spectators packed around the court at the Kleopatra Beach in temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, Pohl and Rau were never in danger as they claimed their first international title.
Daniela Gattelli and Lucilla Perrotta from Italy, winners in 2002, claimed the bronze medal after they beat the Dutch pairing of Rebekka Kadijk and Marrit Leenstra 21-18, 21-16. As well as becoming the first European Champions from Germany since 1995, Pohl and Rau took home 113 Olympic qualification points each. A maximum of two German teams
can qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Bureau Report