The Netherlands triumph in the Beach Volley Nations Cup to book a ticket to Paris
The Netherlands raised the #BeachNationsCup trophy at the Majori Beach in Jurmala after beating Czechia in the final game. Kristen Bröring, Emi van Driel, Brecht Piersma and Wies Bekhuis not only won the second edition of the Beach Volley Nations Cup, but they also secured the second spot for their country in the women's tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Bröring/van Driel, E. - Neuschaeferova/Svozilova 2-1 (19-21, 21-15, 15-11)
The Dutch team opened the game better taking 9-6 lead with Emi Van Driel's service streak, keeping the distance of three points until 13-10. Then Marketa Svozilova took things in her hands - her serves and spikes allowed Czechia to equal the score (13-13) and to slowly start to build their advantage to close the set 21-19. The second part was very competitive at the beginning, however in the middle of it, with solid performance from Kirstn Broring both on the service line and in block, the Dutch took control over this part (19-13), winning it 21-15. The Netherlands couldn't ask for a better opening of tie-break, as their team lead 5-0! Two points were delivered by Emi Van Dril who served two consecutive aces. Having such advantage (10-4), the Dutch reigned on the court, however the Czech duo fought until the very end, saving match points, but eventually Broring's attack ended the game 15-11. Kirsten Broring hammered 29 points (22 winning spikes and as many as 7 block stuffs), Emi Van Driel had 20 to her name (15 attacks, 1 block and 4 aces).
Emi van DrielWe are really happy how we managed to play the final and that won it in the end. We are really happy with our team performance and overall it was a great week for us.
Piersma B./Bekhuis - Hermannova/Stochlova 2-1 (21-17, 20-22, 15-7)
Loaded with positive energy from their teammates Brecht Piersma and Wies Bekhuis had a flying 4-0 openning of the game with Bekhuis on the service line, but Czechia quickly came back on the right tracks reducing the gap to 5-4 after winning serve from Barbora Hermannova. Since that - Dutch kept 1-2 points of advantage, but the Czechs were breating down their necks, therefore they decided to act quickly, jumping to 14-9 after block stuff from Piersma. Attack from the middle of the net performed by Bekhuis closed the set 21-17, moving the Netherlands even closer to the Olympics. After a break, the Czechs came back to the court with fresh energy. After a point-by-point race at the beginning of the set, Hermannova and Stochlova took a three-point advantage (12-9). The Netherlands shortned the distance 15-14 after powerful spikes from Piersma, but eventually Czechia prevailed 22-20 with Stochlova's block stuff. The Dutch kept the cold head and with parfect plays from both players took a 5-1 and then 7-2 lead. At the same time Czechia was committing too many own mistakes. Keeping the score safe, the Netherlands secured the trophy and ticket to Paris. Wies Bekhuis hammered 25 points (21 winning spikes - 58% success, 4 aces), once Brecht Piersma tallied 21 points (including 12 spikes - 52% success, 6 blocks and 3 aces).
Wies BekhuisWe are very happy that we won the Nations Cup here and that we will go to the Olympics, I hope, but we will see. We were all a part of the team, we played as a team and we won as a team - we were standing and fighting together.
