20/06/2014 19:43
Two German teams make semis in Montpellier, young Russians still unbeaten
2014 CEV Beach Volleyball Satellites - Montpellier
Montpellier, France, June 20, 2014. On Friday Germany’s Jana Köhler/Anni Schumacher and Russia’s Anna Gorbunova/Ksenia Dabizha prolonged their winning streak at the CEV Satellite in Montpellier, thereby making the semis coming up on Saturday. The Germans will play Spain’s Angela Lobato Herrero and Paula Soria Gutierrez, whereas the second semi-final will feature Gorbunova and Dabizha versus another German pair, Jenny Heinemann and Anika Krebs. There won’t be home glory for the French teams, with Déborah Giaoui and Mathilde Giordano settling for seventh place to account for the best result for the host country.
The first-seeded Jana Köhler and Anni Schumacher of Germany (pictured) were the first duo to claim a spot in the semis. They needed four sets to edge past their compatriots Jenny Heinemann and Anika Krebs (15-17, 17-15, 15-11, 15-9) and make the next-to-last stage of the competition.
Their feat was then emulated by Russia’s Anna Gorbunova and Ksenia Dabizha who routed Spain’s Angela Lobato Herrero and Paula Soria Gutierrez in three sets (15-13, 16-14, 15-11). “We were more focused than they were, so this may explain our victory,” Gorbunova said. “It was the third time we played this Spanish team; we had won one match and lost the other, so we are happy with this victory. It is a very special situation because we have made the semis without losing a match and this never happened to us before! It’s a quite an experience! We are young but not the youngest players in this tournament.”
The Spaniards eventually made their way to the semis as well after edging past Poland’s Karolina Baran and Jagoda Gruszczynska of Poland later in the afternoon (16-14, 16-14, 15-9). Baran and Gruszczynska had previously upset 2013 U18 European champions Daria Rudykh and Nadezda Makroguzova of Russia, and also Germany’s Kim Behrens and Sandra Seyfferth. Baran commented after the match with the German team: “We are very happy with the result because this is our first tournament this year. It is a little bit too hot but anyway, if you have to play, this is definitely better than to get wind or rain. And Montpellier is a very nice place.”
The other team that made the semis via the losers’ bracket is Germany’s Jenny Heinemann and Anika Krebs who upset Norway’s second-seeded Janne Kongshavn and Victoria Faye Kjølberg (15-13, 15-8, 8-15, 15-12). The two Scandinavians had previously downed one of the French teams – Déborah Giaoui and Mathilde Giordano, the last home duo still alive in the competition (15-7, 15-9, 16-14).
Actions resume on Saturday with semi-final and final matches, all live streamed and for free on LAOLA1.tv
Click here for more info including detailed results, pictures and much more
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