The marvelous Mediterranean port of Marseille welcomes the second Grand Slam event of the year between July 14 and 18 as the Swatch – FIVB World Tour continues on through another exciting season. Although there will be no Olympic qualification points on offer at the event, prize money totaling $280,000 and the prestige of being crowned Grand Slam winners will keep all parties interested.

It was two tournament successes-in-a-row last time out for Brazilian duo Ricardo Alex Costa and Emanuel Rego who outwitted Swiss brothers Martin and Paul Laciga in a thrilling final (21-18, 20-22, 15-13).

That was a very tough final, as usual," said Emanuel afterwards. "We were down in the tiebreak and so we decided to take a time out - at 8-5 down I think - and we spoke about playing better as a team. I felt we were separating and not playing together enough. Our power is when we play together and after the tiebreak I felt that we began to click again as a team."

This will be the 11th consecutive year that Marseille has hosted an FIVB Beach Volleyball event and, as always, the passionate fans will turn out in their thousands to witness some spectacular digging, setting and spiking action.

One of the largest ports in Europe, Marseille is also regarded as France's 'second' city. It is a melting pot of commerce, culture and tourism, and serves as the gateway to Provence and many other provinces southern France.

Marseille is also the oldest city in France, having been founded by the Greeks in 600 BC, and today boasts one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan populations in Europe. Many visit the area for it's natural beauty and spectacular climate, although the Mistral - a strong wind that funnels down the Rhone Valley - can often make itself ever present. Indeed, organisers lost a day of action in the 2002 event to the infamous Mistral.

2003 Men's Podium:

1. Ricardo Alex Costa Santos and Emanuel Rego (BRA)

2. Martin and Paul Laciga (SUI)

3.  Dain Blanton and Jeff Nygaard (USA)

Men's 2002 Podium:
1. Ricardo-Loiola (BRA)
    Ricardo Costa Santos Biography
    José Geraldo Loiola / Profile
2. Alvarez-Rosell (CUB)
    Francisco Alvarez Cutino Biography
    Juan Miguel Rosell Milanes Biography
3. Emanuel-Tande (BRA)
    Emanuel Rego Biography
    Tande Biography