Baden, Austria, June 2, 2013. Who thought two rainy days out of four are enough failed. On todays final day of the CEV Baden Masters it was raining cats and dogs the whole day. Despite the weather conditions, the remaining eight athletes showed some great performances. In the end, Semenov-Koshkarev (RUS) won the gold medal. Böckermann-Urbatzka (GER) and Kadziola-Szalankiewicz (POL) completed Baden’s podium.
The first semifinal on Sunday was the match between top-seeded Kadziola-Szalankiewicz (POL) and Böckermann-Urbatzka (GER). It was a close match from the beginning, but the Poles were leading most of the first set, finishing it 21-18. The Germans didn’t forfeit themselves and won second set 21-18 forcing a decisive third. It was very tight until the end, but finally, Böckermann-Urbatzka made it to the finals after winning the third set 15-12.
In second semifinal, Czechs Bob Kufa and Jan Hadrava, who eliminated both Austrian top-teams Doppler-Horst and Huber-Seidl yesterday, faced Russian duo Semenov-Koshkarev. The Russians dominated the first set, winning it 21-14. Especially, their service worked very well. The Czechs couldn’t trigger their performances and lost the second set 21-15. The Russians advanced unbeaten to CEV Baden Masters final.
The bronze medal match was an easy match for top-seeded Polish duo Kadziola-Szalankiewicz. Bob Kufa and Jan Hadrava didn’t show what they did the last two days. The Poles played perfect side out, won both sets easily (21-13, 21-14) and made it to a Masters podium for the first time in their career.
CEV Baden Masters’ last game was men’s final between Germany and Russia. Böckermann-Urbatzka and Semenov-Koshkarev already met already in the 3rd round of the main draw on Saturday, where the Russians won in two sets (21-17, 21-18). Germans had the better start into the final leading early by three points. After a time out, the Russian team started to play, like they did the whole weekend – just amazing. 2,10 meter giant Konstantin Semenov dominated the net and Yaroslav Koshkarev the defense leading the Russians to a straight 2:0 win (21-16, 21-16) of the CEV Baden Masters’ gold medal.
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