Tjaša Kotnik and Tajda Lovšin claimed top honours from the women’s competition at the 2021 Slovenian National Beach Volleyball Championship, while Crtomir Bošnjak and Danijel Pokeršnik seized the men’s crown. This was the fifth title for Kotnik and already the eighth one for Pokeršnik.
All medallists from the 2021 edition of the Slovenian national championships held in Kranj
As it has become some sort of a tradition, Kranj, Slovenia’s fourth largest city, played host to an event featuring 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams which delivered high-level performances in front of full stands at Stara Sava. The previous weekend some of the participating teams had competed in FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 1-Star and 2-Star events, finishing third (Bošnjak/Pokeršnik in Leuven, Belgium), fifth (Kotnik/Lovšin in Rwanda) and ninth (Nejc Zemljak together with Jan Pokeršnik in Rwanda as well).
In the women’s final Tjaša Kotnik delivered an impressive blocking performance, so it was not too difficult for her and her partner Tajda Lovšin to claim the title in straight sets (21-12, 21-15).
The women’s final was a one-sided affair in Kranj
“We are so happy that we won this title. We improved from match to match during the tournament. It was harder to win than the results may show. Many young teams are following our footsteps and they already play on a high level, so we have to play every match at our maximum. It is always nice to win the national championship, but our main focus is on international competitions where we want to prove ourselves,”
Tjaša Kotnik
After winning her 5th gold in a row, while it was the 2nd overall for her partner Lovšin
Second place went to Nina Lovšin and Špela Morgan, while Slovenia’s youngsters Zala Zbicajnik and Maja Marolt completed the podium.
Danijel Pokeršnik and Crtomir Bošnjak were in a class of their own throughout the entire competition, not dropping a single set on their way to the men’s title.
“Our goal was to win this year’s national championship. We focused on playing our game, and we maintained a high level from the first to the last match. I am happy that Crt won his first gold medal. I hope some more titles and medals are coming for us in the future,”
Danijel Pokeršnik
The all-time record holder in Slovenia with 8 National Championships titles.
Nejc Zemljak and Klemen Šen joined forces after Zemljak’s regular partner Jan Pokeršnik did not play in Kranj and claimed silver, while Alan Košenina and Rok Bracko, who recently became U20 European Champion in Izmir together with Rok Možic, finished in third place.
The best Slovenia’s Beach Volleyball players will now focus on their FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 1-Star Ljubljana by I feel Slovenia appearance. The tournament, which will take place at a new location in the heart of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, Pogacar Square, will begin this coming Thursday.
