Loyola and Goncalves came into the final as the favourites and they lived up to their billing, claiming a 23-21, 22-20 victory amid an electric atmosphere.

Their triumph ensured the men's crown remained in Brazil as they dethroned Olympic champions Alison Cerutti and Bruno Oscar Schmidt, who suffered a shock defeat to Canada's Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk at the last 16 stage.

Doppler and Horst were hoping they could spring a surprise of their own but they were unable to channel the energy of the 10,000-strong crowd, who remained loud and boisterous throughout the contest.

The Austrian duo were the first beach volleyball players from the landlocked nation to reach a World Championships final and the reception when they received their silver medals was as if they had lifted the trophy.

The unfancied pairing were made to rue a golden opportunity to edge ahead as they had set points at the end of the first set.

But a string of venomous serves from Goncalves hauled the Brazilians back into the set and spearhead a comeback which would see them take a 1-0 lead.

The Brazilians then kept the home team at arm's length during the second set by continually staying in front until they wrapped up victory, and the $60,000 (£46,000/€51,000) prize money, with a block from Loyola.

"It was good to have some serves that changed the game a little bit," Goncalves said.

"The last time we played in Poland we did not do well but I knew when we got here that this was a new tournament and a new story.

"We went further than we expected to but we had a strong feeling that we could do it as the week went on."

Horst described their unexpected run to the final as a "fairytale" but admitted they were disappointed not to be standing atop the podium after having three set points in the opener.

"For us it is like a fairytale because no Austrian team has ever won a medal at this event," he said.

"Of course we are a bit disappointed but they deserved it more.

"It is the biggest success we have had in our careers."

The bronze medal was sealed by Russia's Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Nikita Liamin of Russia as they overcame Dutch wildcard entry Maarten van Garderen and Christiaan Varenhorst 21-17, 21-17.