20/03/2013 17:00
A good share of Europe's Beach Volleyball elite to join opening event of the year in Antalya
CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite - Antalya
Antalya, Turkey, March 20, 2013. The “Burhan Felek” Volleyball Hall in Istanbul played host on Tuesday to a press conference whereby the Turkish Volleyball Federation did discuss with the media plans and activities for the CEV Satellite tournament that will open this coming April 2-6 the 2013 Beach Volleyball season in Antalya. The event was attended by the President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation, Özkan Mutlugil, and by Erkal Tas, chairman of the TVF Beach Volleyball Committee.
The representatives of the media were invited to a breakfast before information about the CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite was given and some time was left for questions and answers. Mr. Mutlugil expressed his satisfaction for Turkey will be playing host to a CEV Satellite for the first time in history. “We have got a lot of experience in hosting major events and we’ll be once again delivering a first-class tournament” he stressed. “I do hope this Satellite will turn into an annual event taking place in Turkey and more specifically on the southern shores of our country”. As for Turkey’s Beach Volleyball duos, the TVF President said: “Our pairs are currently having a training camp with their head coach Carlos Galletti Alemao. They are all working very hard in order to achieve good results in the first tournament of the year. I wish the best of luck to all teams that will be traveling to Antalya for this event”.
“I feel very honoured to host the first tournament of the year in our country” TVF Beach Volleyball Committee President Erkal Tas added. “With their new head coach I think that our teams will progress quite significantly and be able to do so in a relatively short time. Our main target is to make it to the top later this summer as Turkey hosts the XVII Mediterranean Games in Mersin. However, we want to host more international events and, at the same time, work hard with young players. With this in mind, we have decided to establish a Beach Volleyball Department in the headquarters of the Turkish Volleyball Federation”. “I also do wish good luck to all players and much fun to all spectators that will be attending the CEV Satellite in Antalya” Tas concluded.
On Tuesday the entry lists for the first tournament of the year were eventually released by CEV; the men’s competition will be joined by 2011 European silver medallists Kay Matysik and Jonathan Erdmann of Germany, their compatriots Eric Koreng/Alexander Walkenhorst – who have teamed up this season after Koreng’s previous partner, David Klemperer, retired from the sport in the summer of 2012 – while two more pairs vying for the medals are Austria’s Clemens Doppler/Alexander Horst and Dutch newcomers Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen who last year claimed the CEV Satellite tournaments in Baden and Vaduz respectively.
The women’s tournament is headlined by 2012 European bronze medallists Liliana Steiner and Elsa Baquerizo of Spain, former European champion Laura Ludwig of Germany together with her new partner Kira Walkenhorst, 2010 European bronze medallists Erika and Emilia Nystrom of Finland, not to forget Austria’s Stefanie and Doris Schwaiger and their compatriot Barbara Hansel, a silver medallist from the 2011 European Championship in Kristiansand, who this year – after the retirement of Sara Montagnolli – has joined forces with 2011 U20 European champion Katharina Schützenhöfer.
Click here for detailed entry lists
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