20/07/2018 13:40
Basta/Kolaric make history for Serbia with #EuroBeachVolley participation
2018 CEV DELA Beach Volleyball European Championship
Utrecht, The Netherlands, July 20, 2018. Lazar Kolaric and Stefan Basta made history this week for Serbia – as they became the first team from the Balkan country to participate in the European Beach Volleyball Championship since the inception of Europe’s continental showpiece back in 1993. Lazar and Stefan claimed one victory out of the three matches they contested in Pool A in Utrecht – but unfortunately, this was not enough to secure their progression to the elimination phase of the tournament.
After losing on Monday to reigning European champions Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo 0-2 (13-21, 16-21), Basta/Kolaric fought bravely but ended up losing to Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner of Czech Republic in three sets. They nevertheless bid farewell to #EuroBeachVolley in style as they beat eventual pool winners Nico Beeler and Marco Krattiger of Switzerland 2-1 (14-21, 21-17, 15-13) on Thursday.
Serbia has been a Volleyball powerhouse for many years already – but Beach Volleyball is growing steady and fast there as well. “I think it is a great experience for us and for Serbia also,” Stefan Basta said. “As everyone knows, Volleyball in Serbia is extremely popular and the focus has been mostly on that. Beach Volleyball has been in the shadows of Volleyball for quite some time, but people and the Federation are now changing their views and thoughts on Beach Volleyball,” Kolaric continues.
Basta and Kolaric have made history a number of times this season – back in May they became Serbia’s first team to win a medal on the FIVB World Tour as they finished second at the 3-Star event in Lucerne. They improved on this result shortly afterwards as they claimed top honours from the 1-Star event held in Aydin, Turkey. Such achievements made sure Basta/Kolaric would secure their participation in this year’s #EuroBeachVolley in the Netherlands.
They came to Utrecht without their coach because of financial constraints – but they are happy with the support they get back home and the team they are building around them. Stefan and Lazar are breaking new ground in Serbian sports: “We are happy that we are representing Serbia internationally, doing so on the World Tour and at the European Championship as well,” Kolaric continues.
Looking at their determination and the performances they have shown, you can tell that this is only the beginning of a journey that may take them and Serbia to become full members of the international Beach Volleyball elite…
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