German duo on the brink of losing Olympic spot

(BEIJING, July 17) -- Russian duo Alexandra Shiryaeva and Natalya Uryadova defeated Germany's Stephanie Pohl and Okka Rau 23-21, 21-16 in the main draw for the women's competition of the beach volleyball open at Marseille on July 16. The Germans' loss puts them in danger of losing their spot in the Olympic beach volleyball competition. Pohl and Rau are competing with Hella Jurich and Rieke Brink-Abeler to be Germany's second Olympic team.

Each country is allowed to field a maximum of two teams at the Olympic beach volleyball competition. As of July 8, Jurich and Brink-Abeler were only 210 Olympic qualification points behind Pohl and Rau.

Cuba will have its two top teams at the Olympics, but both suffered defeats on July 16. Dalixia Fernandez and Tamara Larrea were beaten by Ester Alcon and Olga Matveeva of Spain 21-18, 25-23. Meanwhile Deborah Giaoui and Eva Hamzaoui of France defeated Cuba's Milagros Crespo and Imara Esteves Ribalta 21-18, 25-23.