Innsbruck, Austria. Beach Volleyball activities have resumed after the long break resulting from the coronavirus pandemic – obviously by respecting the relevant safety measures to protect the well-being of all involved. The MINI UNTERBERGER DENZEL Innsbruck BeachEvent PRO 120 presented by IKB was originally due to take place from June 5 to 7. Now the PRO tournament took place as part of the Austrian Beach Volleyball Tour this past weekend – and with much success.
On Sunday, the Tivoli outdoor swimming pool, converted into a stadium specifically for the occasion, was full, with 200 fans occupying all of the available seats. Austria’s best Beach Volleyball players presented their sport at the highest level with the help of some foreign competitors as well.
Simon Frühbauer/Julian Hörl (pictured above) secured a surprising semi-final victory over the experienced Italians Ingrosso/Caminati, who eventually finished the tournament in fourth place. In the women’s competition, Anja Dörfler/Julia Radl and Franziska Friedl/Eva Pfeffer moved to the final with close 2-0 victories. Friedl and Pfeffer eventually needed three sets to emerge as the winners of the tournament (15-21; 21-13; 15-12), with third place going to Viktoria Fink/Eva Freiberger. The grand finale of the men’s tournament – in the truest sense of the word – was very much of a delight for the Tyrolean audience. After an incredible comeback in the second set, Jakob Reiter/Michael Murauer eventually had to accept their loss to Frühbauer/Hörl (21-14; 22-20). Florian Schnetzer and Lorenz Petutschnig completed the men’s podium.
Franziska Friedl tipping the ball over the block of Michaela Hollaus
It was obvious for everyone that due to the lack of game and training practice, almost every team has difficulty in maintaining a high level of performance throughout an entire match. Those who can do that will prevail in the end.
The organisation and delivery of the event was some sort of a small miracle. “We have always believed we would be able to do that,” says Simon Varges, chairperson of the event promoter My BeachEvent, and continues: “We have shown that we can deliver an extremely attractive Beach Volleyball event, for players as well as for fans and volunteers, even while respecting strict measures to prevent any further spread of the novel coronavirus.” This required a sophisticated security concept for the centre court and the side courts as well. Moreover, as many as 10,000 people followed the live streaming from their homes!
The organisers wish to thank the sponsors who supported the event despite the difficult circumstances as well as the dozen volunteers, without whom the tournament delivery would not have been possible. The weather was also on the side of the organising team, and despite the forecasts announcing heavy rain for Sunday, eventually the sun would always shine even through the thick clouds.
Photo Credit: Morepikzz Fotografie | René Kuen
