Genevieve Gardoque _Chouikh vs. Crabb Tr._Crabb - Quarter Final _ Itapema 2025 #BeachProTour

In the blue tops, the brothers Trevor Crabbe and Taylor Crabbe. Getting things underway against the French duo in red. And that from Elouan Chouik is exactly what he's got to do during the course of this game. The players are getting so creative now, it's good to watch. He doesn't usually go this early with the jump serve and he's used the breeze to perfection. Some teams are just so physical but these guys are conserving their energy. Change up on the serve. Goddok doesn't get many. How about that for a jump, Kerry? Would you like that when you come back? It's just into this new type of game. And then you've got Trevor and Taylor who are still pretty much playing the old style of beach volleyball but it works really well for them and they'll keep doing that. And it's important that they don't try and, you know, the more experienced players don't try and change their own games. Stick to what you do really well and keep doing it well. Throw down from Chouik, doesn't get the deflection he was after. Gets another go at it and uses his height to go comfortably off the block of Taylor Crabb. Chouik, in your picture, two metres tall, the blocker. Goddok is 188 but with that humongous leap. Fast around the court as well, another chance for a point for France but the joust is won comfortably in the end by Trevor. Pressure on with the serve, try and use that win, move the ball around. It's a shorter serve this time, see what happens. It's delightful to watch, isn't it? They're going to have to press the button soon, and they do. Tough serve down the line on Chouik, he controls nicely and France are locked into this idea of hitting high and hard. The big monster blocks which they will still get. What a hit, he's still got an arm on him as Taylor Crabb. USA still in it, two points to find. The pressure on Chouik gets beaten by an absolute belter. Old school, up and down and hammered by Chouik. There we go, Goddok pulls out the big serve again. Bit of pressure here and this time takes a little go at the line. Sixteens, Chouik, pressure on. Again, pressure comfortably negotiated, that was a brave shot. Change up, not going into the breeze. Going after Taylor who just cuts it off on the angle, beautiful shot again. Good serve, down the seam, Goddok quickly to the net, puts up a nice set. Trevor Crabb will be kicking himself there, he thought he had his hands around that. From France, going into that win with the serve. Another cracker, well somehow he's got that in play and they just go super quick. Little dart down the line and France playing this to perfection. Makes the points. That's an ace, Goddok has ripped the heart out of this set and the US Challenge. 21-17, that is a brilliant opening set from France. They lead by 1-0. Absolutely loving the sport, getting better and better. France then, get set two underway. Brilliant start to this quarterfinal match versus the USA. Inviting him to drop that one. Good work. I don't think Kerry that USA have done their homework to the level I thought they were going to do. Gone a little further back here, jump serve coming. Not fiercely powerful, just trying to let the breeze do something. But Goddok is just moving so fluidly around the court. Four apiece then. Goddok is in the corner and they continue to go after him. His first weak pass, followed by another crunching blow. You show me your hands, I'll hit them. That is so good. I mean that is just beautiful in the air. No rallies, just put the ball in the sand. 1-2-3 or 1-2 or however you want to do it. And that's what they work on, the Swedes. At last, USA get themselves a break and then really hustle to get that ball back in play and the breeze. Concentrated on Goddok so far in this set. But now Schuette is going to have to play a ball. And that is tremendous blocking. Beautifully done. Trevor now making his way into the net. Changing that up. Option swing from way off the net. USA defend it and when he needs to, Taylor Crabbe can still. Very, very patient. It's paid off in this set. Sometimes teams will come out and serve against the player that nobody else has been serving for exactly that reason. Just to test them. Schuette's turn to get the reuse off the block and then Goddok hammers. He knew he had to go over the top. Ace. And Schuette is getting all the pressure now. Good cut. Good enough for the point. Because the service pace, I guess, from the American team isn't as fast. Oh dear. Tries to cut it under the armpits of Schuette. Schuette immediately asked to do the job again. Still in play. Yeah, he's going to win those all day long. That's exactly the ball Taylor Crabbe wants to put themselves back in the lead in three sets now. Looks odds on. That's huge. And most players probably wouldn't have hit that, being off the net and drifting behind his head. But he hit it to the right spot. That's all that mattered. Trying to take responsibility. That's a really good late peel. Got his timing right there, Schuette. Just doesn't get enough on it. And USA deal with a tricky situation to keep a solid lead. Ace means USA go to five set points. Bit more fizz in that one. Gardock gets arms on it. He's way off the net. Smacks it straight into the belly. This is going to be a quick one. Off we go with the race to 15. Tiebreaker to decide who goes through to the semifinals from this quarterfinal. It's only about 10 minutes. We've got to play at our best. Lift the energy. USA again find the side out. Changes now on multiples of five. A really tiny poke shot. Either way, French get the point. Little glimpse behind the mask there of the Americans. First real show of emotion from them. But they're keeping their cool. Coverage. Nice work from Taylor. And gets the finish. And you can be the best defender in the world. But if you can't finish that ball. Five apiece. Another side switch. USA under the pump. And again just... Gardoch's weapon is all in that shoulder. Another cracker. Oh, that was a tough ball to set. And USA have done brilliantly well there. That was right on the edge of the envelope. That's hard into the angle. Taylor just waits for him and then cannons it home. And USA open up a two-point lead. That is going to be a point. For sure in the next few rallies. Control again from USA. This time Gardoch gets to the line ball. Going to be a tough one to play. Oh, he's done marvellously well. And Schuick this time takes the gamble. And back on Eloin Schuick again. Big shot for him. Makes it. Makes it. He's so much better when he's directly taking the block of Trevor Crabb on. Team in red two points away from the semi-final. And their best ever performance at this level. Oh, that is some angle. What a hit. Is Gardoch going to take the risk? He does. Hits it hard. Hits the ace. And France have pulled off an incredible victory. A three-set win over Team USA. And they are in to the final four.