Pelhrimov, Czech Republic, January 14, 2018.  In the fantastic atmosphere of a fully-packed venue in Pelhrimov, the home favourites Kristyna Kolocova and Michala Kvapilová made it all the way to the top to triumph with well-deserved gold at the 2018 CEV Beach Volleyball European Masters in the Czech Republic.

Third-seeded Kolocova and Kvapilová won both of their Sunday matches in straight sets to please the hundreds of enthusiastic home fans on the stands around the magnificent indoor centre court at the Beachwell.

“We were trying to stay calm and concentrated on our job in that incredible atmosphere. We were aware of the crowd, but we managed to play our game,” Kristyna Kolocova said. “I am very happy that this tournament took place and so many world-level stars came to play at the Beachwell – something we have to thank the promoter Vladimír Kozler for.”

In the big final, the Czech pair started with a landslide first set win against Tina Graudina and Anastasija Kravcenoka, but in the second, the Latvians put on quite a fight, extending it into the overtime. Kolocova and Kvapilová had to tough it out in the end, but eventually celebrated with a 2-0 (21-8, 23-21) victory.

“Winners of a European Masters! This sounds great!” said Michala Kvapilová with happy tears rolling out of her eyes. “Our performance was better and better in every match and, thanks to our coach Andrea Tomatis, who prepared the winning strategy for us, we are the winners!”

Despite losing the final, the Latvian team won their first medal at such a high international level and were very positive about the atmosphere they experienced at the Beachwell. “Incredible! I had goosebumps!” exclaimed Tina Graudina. “It was difficult for our communication, but great for the event! The Czech girls served really strong, which made it difficult for us.” Anastasija Kravcenoka added, “We are happy, we played well and beat a lot of really strong teams. Only in the final we were not at our level.”

Both the Czechs and the Latvians had managed convincing wins in the semifinals – 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) against Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Anniina Parkkinen and 2-0 (21-10, 21-13) against Sandra Ittlinger and Kim Behrens, respectively.

So the Finns and the Germans faced each other for the third place. Lahti and Parkkinen claimed a hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 21-17) and a bronze podium finish.

“Our semifinal performance was awful!” Lahti commented. “The Czech girls played really well. So after that we focused on the bronze medal match, we pushed our serving harder and our side-out was much better.”

“Well, not that awful!” Parkkinen disagreed laughing. “It was a high-level tournament, so we are very happy to get the bronze here. It is amazing!”

Vladimír Kozler, promoter of the tournament, was very pleased with the way things turned out. “I expected a great atmosphere, but not as great as it actually was,” he said. “It is good for Beach Volleyball everywhere and especially in the Czech Republic.”

Engage with the 2018 CEV Beach Volleyball European Masters Pelhrimov on social media by using the competition’s official hashtag #EuroBeachVolley.

Click here for more information on the Pelhrimov Masters.