Huber and Dressler claim sensational bronze medal at 4-Star event in Brazil

Alexander Huber and Christoph Dressler of Austria were the only European team to claim a podium finish at the FIVB World Tour 4-Star event held this past week in Itapema, Brazil. The Austrians emerged victorious from a very close and dramatic bronze medal match with Italy’s Alex Ranghieri and Daniele Lupo (16-21, 21-19, 16-14).

Lupo and Ranghieri were contesting the first international competition since teaming up following Lupo’s announcement that he would be parting ways with long-time partner Paolo Nicolai. Together, Lupo and Nicolai claimed silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics as well as three European Championship titles (2014, 2016, and 2017).

Huber and Dressler had a terrific tournament in Brazil, as they beat two teams from Germany, as well as opponents from Belarus and Denmark to reach the semis. This is where they suffered their only setback, losing to George Wanderley and Andre Loyola Stein of Brazil (12-21, 18-21) – who eventually claimed gold in an all-Brazilian final.