Samba sensations start the season in style

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Larissa/Talita beat Agatha/Duda in a stunning all-Brazilian women's final

So far this week we’ve given you three of our favorite moments from the incredible first tournament of the season which was the Fort Lauderdale Major.

We’ve highlighted our love for the new teams, the Americans and the celebrities which graced the tournament but at number two in our countdown we pay homage to the brilliant Brazilians.

Why? Well, we did say brilliant…but how about the fact that the South American nation bagged four of the six medals on offer and treated us to a week of simply outstanding beach volleyball skills.

We also saw the great rivalry between Brazil and the United States reignited at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park and that’s bad news for Europe – who only won one medal in Florida. Even worse for Europe is that the South Americans with new teams doing the business – with three of the four medaling duos starting new partnerships for the 2017 season.

What’s even more promising if you’re a fan of Brazilian beach volleyball is that in the men’s competition, Olympic champions Alison/Bruno did not even reach the semifinals. The heroes from the Copacabana were humbled on a wonderful night on Center Court by Americans Lucena/Dalhausser in the quarters - only for the home team to then lose to Evandro/Andre in the semis.

Alvaro/Saymon got the better of Evandro/Andre in a brilliant men's final

In the end Alvaro/Saymon reigned supreme on Center Court in Saturday’s final with a dazzling display of skills that was too hot for their fellow South Americans.

It was a similar story in the women’s competition with half of the teams in the quarterfinals made up of Brazilian teams. Come the final there were two teams going head-to-head. This time however there was a familiar sight come the end: Larissa/Talita – 2015 champions at Fort Lauderdale – picking up gold at the expense of new team Agatha/Duda.

With their slick and exciting brand of beach volleyball wowing the crowd, the proof that Brazilian teams are loved and respected was shown by the fact that in both all-Brazilian finals the Center Court was packed. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house.

Talk about laying down a marker at the start of the 2017 season. Now it’s time for the rest of the world to catch up!