Teams from Slovenia shine in Ramat Gan as MEVZA zonal event ends on a high note

Ramat Gan, Israel. The MEVZA zonal Beach Volleyball tournament held this week at Ramat Gan National Park finished on Saturday with teams from Slovenia claiming the gold and silver medals in the men’s as well as in the women’s competition. Two Beach Volleyball tandems representing hosts Israel claimed the third place. What is most important is that the organisers managed to deliver this event in a safe environment, thus showing that with the right precautions and measures, Beach Volleyball competitions can take place also in times of coronavirus pandemic.   

The second and last day of competition at Ramat Gan National Park started with the men’s quarterfinals, where home stars Sean Faiga and Netanel Amiram Ohana ended the race of the surprise package from Friday’s matches, David Lanciano and Mai Goldstein. Apart from Faiga and Ohana, another Israeli team progressed to the semis – River Day and Kevin Cuzmiciov did so as they beat their compatriots Hen Meir and Tomer Hadar. 

However, all of the Israeli teams lost in the semis to leave their opponents from Slovenia contest a national derby in the gold medal matches. Two Israeli derbies assigned the bronze medals, with Sofia Starikov and Anita Dave edging Yael Lotan and Yahli Ashush in the women’s ‘small final’. Faiga and Ohana cemented their status as Israeli top team in the men’s competition as they beat youngsters Day and Cuzmiciov. 

Spela Morgan and Katarina Fabjan of Slovenia were the eventual winners of the women’s tournament after edging Tajda Lovsin and Tjasa Kotnik in the final. “We are very happy with this victory but especially with the opportunity we had to play in such ideal weather conditions even in December. It is a great way to end the year 2020 for us and we wish to thank the organisers for delivering this competition,” Morgan and Fabian said. 

The men’s podium at the MEVZA zonal event held in Ramat Gan, Israel 

Tadej Bozenk and Danijel Pokersnik claimed Slovenia’s second gold medal of the day after edging past Jernej Potocnik and Nejc Zemljak in the men’s final. “It is a great feeling to finish first and we played extremely well against our teammates. We are happy that the tournament went so well for the teams from Slovenia,” the winners said. 

The event in Ramat Gan featured 20 teams from Israel, Austria, Serbia and Slovenia. 

Dvir Zivan, Beach Volleyball Director at the Israel Volleyball Association, was happy with the outcome: “Usually, the registration for such a tournament closes 21 days before the actual start of the competition. We received the permission to show some more flexibility to this extent. We explained to the players that they could come here without any sort of fear. The Israel Volleyball Association worked extremely hard to deliver this tournament and the staff set up the courts under heavy rain. When you do good things, life smiles back at you! The sun came out and we had great weather conditions for the event. I would like to thank the Ministry of Sports, the Achievement Sports Unit, the Coastal Administration, the Ramat Gan Municipality and the Ramat Gan National Park for their support and assistance.”

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