06/04/2013 17:00
Russian and Dutch pairs seize gold at CEV Satellite in Antalya
CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite - Antalya
Antalya, Turkey, April 6, 2013. After five days of world-class actions, the CEV Satellite held in Turkey’s most popular seaside resort, Antalya, eventually came to a close with Russia’s Konstantin Semenov/Yaroslav Koshkarev and Dutchwomen Sophie van Gestel/Madelein Meppelink standing on top of the podium.
In the women’s tournament, van Gestel/Meppelink started out their quest for glory by edging the 2012 European bronze medalists Liliana/Baquerizo of Spain in the semis (17-21, 21-19, and 16-14) while Germany’s Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst did also need three sets to cruise past their compatriots Victoria Bieneck/Julia Großner (18-21, 21-15, and 15-12).
Liliana/Baquerizo – that last year wrote history in Scheveningen by becoming the first pair from their country to medal at the European Championship – could finally celebrate bronze in Antalya as they eventually got the upper hand in their consolation final against Bieneck and Großner (21-17, 21-19).
In the final match, van Gestel/Meppelink cruised to a relatively speedy victory (21-14, 21-19) over 2008 and 2010 European champion Laura Ludwig who could nevertheless be more than happy with her debut alongside partner Kira Walkenhorst, a 2012 U23 European champion. With Sara Goller having retired from competitive sport after the London Olympics, Ludwig has embarked on a “second career” that shall possibly last up to the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The men’s semis did see home heroes Selcuk Sekerci/Murat Giginoglu lose to Dutchmen Brouwer and Meeuwsen who could compensate for a slow start cruising to a well-deserved 2:1 win. In the other semifinal, Russia’s Semenov/Koshkarev could edge Austria’s Xandi Huber and Robin Seidl in straight sets (21-19, 21-10). The Austrians could nevertheless claim bronze after besting the local favorites Sekerci/Giginoglu coming back from one set down (12-21, 21-16, and 15-8) while Russia’s Semenov/Koshkarev did have it quite easy in their gold medal match as their supremacy was never in danger and they sealed a 21-12, 21-16 win that clearly shows their full control of the game.
The awards ceremony rounded out a memorable week for players and fans with Turkish Volleyball Federation chairman Özkal Mutlugil presenting the cup to the winning teams. The first-ranked teams received their gold medals from CEV Supervisor Dirk Decher (SUI) and the President of the Municipality of Gundogdu, Huseyin Nalcin. The silver medalists were awarded by CEV Referee Delegate Bert van der Heul (NED), TVF Beach Volleyball Coordinator Erkal Tas, Antalya Expo General Secretary Selami Gulen and Side Star Hotel General Manager Oguz Kabadayi. The winners of the bronze medals were awarded by Tournament Director Oguz Degirmenci and Mr. Mehmet Dengiz.
Click here for more information about the CEV Satellite in Antalya
|