On Sunday, the Austrian duo Timo Hammarberg / Tim Berger sensationally secured the bronze medal at the CEV U18 European Championships in Ljubljana. They won the game for third place against Kristians Fokerots / Gustavs Auzins from Latvia after an incredibly comeback performance with 22:20, 15:21, 15:11. Their success was complemented by a strong 4th place finish of their compatriots Emma Hohenauer / Marie Bruckner. Switzerland’s Leona Kernen and Muriel Bossart stood on top of the women’s podium, as Russia’s Vladislav Panchenko and Ivan Chuprinov claimed top honours in the men’s competition at the CEV U18 Beach Volleyball European Championships 2021.
The bronze medalist together with the Coach Robert Nowotny. Photo Credit: ÖVV
Hammarberg / Berger were already trailing 11:18 in the first set, but started a thrilling race to catch up, which they crowned with the realization of their second set ball. In the second set, Fokerots / Auzins again took an early lead (9: 4). Unlike in the first set, this time they wouldn’t let it slip out of their hands. The Latvians now seemed on the road to victory, pulling away with a 8:1 lead in the tie-break. Hammarberg / Berger however did not give up, showed enormous mental strength and caught up point by point – five blocks from Hammarberg and at 9: 9, the score was already tied. Now the momentum was finally on the Austrian side. The Latvian red card at 13:11 gave the first Austrian match point, which Berger converted after defending the opponents cut shot after a total of 49 minutes.
All medallists from the 2021 edition of #EuroBeachVolleyU18
Emma Hohenauer / Marie Bruckner, on the other hand, just missed the precious metal and had to congratulate the German Jule Mantsch / Annika Berndt for a 18:21, 15:21 victory in the match for third place. The Austrians used up most of their energy in the very close semi-final defeat to the Ukrainians Yeva Serdiuk / Daria Romaniuk.
Both of the Austrian teams herewith also earned tickets to the World Championship in the upcoming year.
News:
CEV – European Volleyball
ÖVV – Volleyball Austria
