Brazil's Talita Antunes and Larissa Franca won the FIVB World Tour Finals on Sunday, beating Germany's Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst 21-17, 21-18 to extend their international winning streak to 27 matches.
"We try to take everything point by point," Franca said. "When we scored that last point, we could feel the energy of the crowd. We worked so hard. It's been a long, hard season. We can't wait to celebrate at home in Brazil."
Antunes and Franca earned $100,000, the richest prize in beach volleyball, and finished the season with seven victories and a record $435,000. The have 11th since forming the partnership in July 2014.
"I never dreamed when I stared playing that I would have gotten this far," Antunes said. "It is so hard to get out of Brazil because there are so many good teams. I am so happy. Our chemistry is really good. We know each other so well. We are so happy playing together."
Brazi's Bruno Oscar Schmidt and Alison Cerutti won the men's title, topping Americans Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena 21-13, 21-15.
"We learned a lot and the main point for us was our relationship, our friendship, we put that in front of everything," Bruno said. "It was a smart way to play the season.
They also earned $100,000 for their sixth victory of the season.
"They played well, man," Lucena said. "We didn't get them in any passing trouble, they served tough. One Bruno serve — I thought I was on it and it just dropped right in front of me. Hat's off to them. They made adjustments from the first time we played them."
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