Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands defeated Russia’s Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Konstantin Semenov 23-21, 22-20 to secure their nation’s first beach volleyball medal.
The Dutch men edged out the Russians to take the first set 23-21. Brouwer/Meeuwsen held the lead in the second set but the Russian men challenged back, tying the teams at 20-20 until the Dutch men pulled away to win the match 23-21, 22-20.
Brouwer/Meeuwsen entered the tournament as the second seed and finished preliminary play at the top of Pool B. Prior to the loss against Alison/Bruno Schmidt in the semifinals, the duo only dropped one set in the tournament.
The Dutch men began playing together in 2011 but made a name for themselves on the international circuit when they won the 2013 FIVB World Championships.
Brouwer/Meeuwsen now hold the Netherland’s only beach volleyball medal. Compatriots Reinder Nummerdor and Richard Schuil nearly secured bronze at the London Games but fell to Latvia’s Plavins/Smedins in the men’s bronze medal match.