14/09/2014 17:25
Nummerdor claims first title of his second Beach Volleyball life at Baku Masters
2014 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship - Baku Masters
Baku, Azerbaijan, September 14, 2014. Triple European champion Reinder Nummerdor and partner Christiaan Varenhorst completed a clean sweep of their matches at the Baku Masters – fifth and last stop of this year’s CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship – to claim the first title of their still young partnership. By finishing first at the tournament held on the shores of the Caspian Sea, Nummerdor and Varenhorst also claimed a spot for their country in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship that the Netherlands will be hosting next year.
The last day of the Baku Masters held at Heyat Rest Area in Azerbaijan’s capital started with the semi-final matches. The real sensation of the tournament, France’s Youssef Krou and Edouard Rowlandson, were opposed to Turkey’s Murat Giginoglu and Volkan Gögtepe. The Turks started out strong cashing the first set by 21-14 but the Frenchmen were able to call for the tie-break after a dramatic second set which they eventually won at 22-20. Turkey’s block was still outstanding also in the decisive set but Krou and Rowlandson did not lose composure and cruised to a 15-13 set win that propelled them into the final act of the tournament.
In the second semi-final Nummerdor and Varenhorst showed no mercy for the first-seed of the tournament, Russia’s Ruslan Bykanov and Viacheslav Krasilnikov. Nummerdor and Varenhorst – who teamed up shortly before the Baku Masters – cashed a speedy 21-12, 21-16 victory to move on to the final.
After losing to Krou and Rowlandson in the semis, Murat Giginoglu and Volkan Gögtepe got back on track claiming the bronze medal match with Bykanov and Krasilnikov by 21-17, 21-16. The bronze medal at the Baku Masters is an outstanding result for Turkey where Beach Volleyball has been developing at a very fast pace over the last few years. “We were disappointed after losing to the team from France in the semis but now we are happy with this third place,” Murat and Volkan said. “We deserved this medal. We think that this match was much easier than the one we played with Krou and Rowlandson. We also want to thank the organisers for the excellent tournament they have staged here and also the fans for all their support.” After the elimination of the home duos, Giginoglu and Gögtepe had turned into the favourite team for the local crowd since Azerbaijan and Turkey share very strong cultural bonds and their respective populations can mutually understand each other’s language.
After struggling a bit since the retirement of his long-time partner Richard Schuil, Reinder Nummerdor was back in shape and eventually claimed the first title of his second Beach Volleyball life alongside Christiaan Varenhorst. The Dutchmen edged Krou/Rowlandson of France in the final by 21-19, 21-18 and got gold by dropping only two sets throughout the tournament. “This was a great tournament for us and we did not lose any match from pool play to the final,” Reinder Nummerdor said. “Of course, like any athlete does, we had come here to win gold and we are happy that we could achieve our goal. I would like to thank the organisers for a good tournament and to congratulate all medallists.” Nummerdor seems to have a connection with Baku since he spent a few months in Azerbaijan’s capital by the time his girlfriend, now wife Manon Flier played in Baku for the local teams of Azerrail and Igtisadchi.
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