Like the finest of action movies, it was High Noon at Siam Park today when Great Britain and Spain 1 served up the first match of the Tenerife Champions Cup beach volleyball tournament. There was a typically clear Tenerife blue sky, the finely raked sand was baking hot, and it was just about to get a whole lot hotter.

The Champions Girls cheerleaders, had been limbering up and outshone the sun when they appered at courtside. You had to admire the concentration of the players with such delightful distractions, but these guys are professionals and live for the game. Spain’s first team of Pablo Herrera and Raul Messa had a score to settle with the Great Britain pair of Jody Gooding and Robin Miedzybrodzki after losing to them in the recent Brazil tournament. The Spanish pair proved too strong this time for GB and won by 2 sets to nil, 21-15 and 21-16. 

The tense action on court was a dramatic contrast from the previous evenings cocktail party launch at the Hotel Sheraton La Caleta. Players were able to mingle with invited guests out by the pool and enjoy the fine food and drink served up. Great Britains Robin (left) and Jody (right) seen below relaxing with new found friends, were impressed by the 5 star luxury of the Sheraton, and excited by the prospect of playing in the Tenerife Champions Cup.

The opening game certainly set the net high, but all 8 teams are fired up to chase the glory and prestige that goes with winning the Tenerife Champions Cup.