Baden, Austria, May 31, 2013. Despite the bad weather, many beach volleyball fans found their way to the beautiful Strandbad for the CEV Baden Masters and cheered for their favorite teams. Three Austrian teams remain in the Main Draw.
Local heroes Doris and Steffi Schwaiger opened the day with an easy win against Klopf-Teufl (21-9, 21-11), another Austrian team, to reach second round of the main draw. Hansel-Schützenhöfer upset one of the tournament favorites, Van der Vlist-Wesselink from The Netherlands unexpected clear with 21-17 and 21-15. In the second round the two Austrian top teams had to play each other. First set was highly competitive. Schwaiger-Schwaiger were down with 16-18, but they managed to turn the set and won it very close (24-22). The favorites also seized the second set (21-17) and advanced to the quarterfinals on Staurday, where they will face Dampney-Boulton (ENG).

Unfortunately, new-formed Austrian duo Babsi Hansel and Kathi Schützenhöfer lost their loser pool game against the Finnish Nystrom-twins and thereby ended up on the 9th place.

Xandi Huber and Robin Seidl, this years bronze medalists in Fuzhou (CHI), started with a victory against Swedes Gunnarsson-Brinkborg (21-17, 21-14). In second round, Huber-Seidl faced strong number four seeded, Latvian team Peda-Samoilovs. They had a strong start, winning the first set 21-16. In the second they lost their rhythm and lost clearly 9-21. In the third set none of the teams were able get an edge until the very end. The players proved their nerves of steel, as they fend off multiple match points. Finally, Seidl scored for the 22-20 win in the third set. Huber-Seidl will meet top-ranked Kadziola-Szalankiewicz (POL) in the quarterfinals on Staturday.

Last years Baden champions Doppler-Horst had to play against Austrian youngsters Müllner-Wutzl. After a very close first set (22-20), the veterans found their groove and jumped to an early four point lead. Unfortunately, Alex Horst harmed his knee before playing the first match point. After medical time out Doppler-Horst converted their third winning opportunity for the 21-17 win. In round two, the Austrians had to play against Russian duo Semenov-Koshkarev. The Russians overcame the local heroes in three sets (14-21, 21-17, 15-12) and sent them to the loser bracket.

Today’s last game was a “Do-or-Die”-game for Doppler-Horst. They had to win against Sorokins-Smedins (LAT) to remain in the competition. And they did! After three very tight sets, the Austrians could celebrate a 21-17, 19-21, 15-13 victory.

Today’s craziest game was the second round battle between Herrera-Gavira (ESP) and Böckermann-Urbatzka (GER). Their first set was the longest ever-played set in history of male beach volleyball competitions. The Spaniards won it 45-43! Even crazier is the outcome of this game. The Germans fought back, won both, second and decisive third set (21-17, 15-13) and advanced to tomorrows third round facing Semenov-Koshkarev (RUS). This game lasted unbelievable 75 minutes! Later Herrera-Gavira lost to Kufa-Hadrava (CZE), who will be the next opponents of Doppler-Horst.