The Netherlands and Czechia to clach in the final of the Beach Volley Nations Cup
News
It's do-or-die time in the Beach Volley Nations Cup Final in Jurmala only two teams - the Netherlands and Czechia stay in the race for the last spot in the women's Olympic tournament in Paris available for the European duos. On Saturday the semifinals determined the finalists who on Sunday will lock horns in the decisive battle at stunning Majori Beach Stadium.
The Netherlands and Austria entered the central court first, delivering a tight battle that went into the Golden Set. Katharina Schützenhöfer and Lena Plesiutschnig did their job beating (21-18, 21-16) Kirsten Broring and Emi van Driel. Plesiutschnig scored in this game as many as 22 points (15 winning spikes, 5 blocks and 2 aces). Then it was the turn of the Klinger sisters Ronja and Dorina against Brecht Piersma and Wies Bekhuis. The Dutch duo was out of range for Austria (21-18, 21-8). Bekhuis served 5 aces and had 10 killing spikes to her name, once Piersma recorded unbelievable 81% success in attack (delivering 13 points in this skill). Thus, the Golden set was needed to determine the winner of this semifinal featuring the winning duos, so Piersma/Bekhuis and Schützenhöfer/Plesiutschnig. Austrian enjoyed a perfect opening with 4-1 lead and then 7-3, but with Wies Bekhuis on the service line the Netherlands shortened the distance to 7-6. However after a moment of point-by-point game, Austria again took a lead with Plesiutschnig's run, having three chances to close the game in their favour (14-11). It didn't discourage the Netherlands. Bekhuis made a difference on the service line and her ace gave them a match point (15-14), although they didn't use this one they got another chance in extra time. Eventually a block from Piersma sealed their ticket to the final of the Beach Volley Nations Cup.
Wies BekhuisIt's unbelievable we were a few points behind them and they were playing very well, so we had put more energy in it and we did and I think we made a good comeback, so we are very happy about it. I still can't believe that we are in the final! So tomorrow we will fight for a spot in the Olympics!
The clash between Czechia and Italy started with a game between Marketa Svozilova/Kylie Neuschaeferova and Reka Orsi Toth/Giada Bianchi. The Italians committed many own mistakes that delivered as many as 16 points to the Czechs who put a lot of pressure with their serve. Kylie Neuschaeferova scored 19 points helping the team to win in straight sets (21-16, 21-17). The second match-up featured Barbora Hermannova and Marie-Sara Stochlova vs Claudia Scampoli and Margherita Bianchin. The Czechs were determined to grab the second win and a spot in the Final, spiking with full power and quickly winning the first part. Italy tried to fight back, taking 4-1 lead in the second set, but the Czechs quickly made it up, but it turned into a point-by-point race that was extended in extra-time. First, Italy had their chances to take it to a tie-break, but Hermannova/Stochlova managed to prevail (21-15, 27-25) after a great serve from Stochlova, who tallied in this match 16 points. Her partner had 17 points to her name.
Barbora HermannováI feel amazing. I'm very proud of our young guns who came here to support us and until now it's been a great support, we managed to won a really tough game and there is one more match to play!
Kylie NeuschaeferovaIt was a tough match. Both Italian teams played great, but we managed to won both and I am super proud of girls that they won this very tight game. Great job!
