First UKBT 5* Grand Slam in Edinburgh crowned with success!

Portobello beach saw its first ever UKBT 5* Grand Slam tournament this past weekend, with teams from all over the UK making the trip north for the competition. Matches started at 9am each day, and with the sun splitting the sky on both days, it really was the best start to what the organisers hope to become a regular fixture in the Scottish Volleyball calendar.

Spread over five courts, with a centre court in the middle, players decked out in UKBT kit took to the classic orange Portobello sand to show the world what they are capable of and so they did! Saturday saw pool play, with teams having the jobs of playing and refereeing theirs and other’s matches. By-passers stopped at various sections of the beach to catch a glimpse of the action as they spent their day enjoying the sun. The first competition day ended with the group of 32 strong teams whittled down to 16.

Sunday began much like Saturday, bathed in Scottish sun. Matches started with quarterfinals, knocking out another eight teams in the quest to reach the final. As the day continued more spectators stopped by to watch, listening to the commentary of the centre court matches. Eventually only four teams remained. The women’s final was the Kiwi and Japanese pairing of Johnston and Hayashi, seeded number 11 in the competition, up against the Russian duo of Tokarenko and Sviridova, seeded number 2. Moments of brilliance came from both teams, with the crowd enjoying every minute. Ultimately, the Russian duo overpowered the opponents, finishing the match with a 2-0 win (21-14, 21-12).

The men’s final swiftly followed, with the Italian and Spanish pairing of Rendon Peiro and Maggio seeded number 4 taking on England’s Dunbavin and Walrond, seeded in 5^th. The match started off strongly, with the teams fighting for every point. The first set finished 21-18 to Sam Dunbavin and Sam Walrond, before the second went 21-13 to Rendon Peiro and Maggio. The 3^rd set looked to be a thriller, before the English pairing suffered an injury, resulting in their decision to pull out of the match. Thankfully, both players were well after the match.

A short prize giving was next, with Scottish Volleyball CEO and CEV Vice-President Margaret Ann Fleming MBE congratulating players for their achievements on the court. Scottish Volleyball would like to take this opportunity to thank some key members in organising this tournament. Thanks must go to Jake Sheaf and Andy Jones and the whole UKBT team for helping pull off an amazing tournament, as well as all the volunteers and officials who spent their weekend at the beach. Thanks also to City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Wilson as the official ball supplier of the UKBT, sportscotland, Volleyball Photos and Lynne Marshall for their excellent photographs, and Graeme Easton for his commentary.