Antalya, Turkey, May 17, 2014.  The great efforts of the Turkish Volleyball Federation to organize the 2014 CEV Youth Beach Volleyball Continental Cup Final in Antalya paid off with one 2014 Youth Olympic spot secured by their first duo Esra Betul Cetin / Selin Yurtsever.  The European contingent for the women’s beach volleyball tournament at the Games in Nanjing was completed by the Czech Republic and Russia.

Inspired by the ecstatic support of the home fans on the stands of the new TVF Mediterranean University Beach Volleyball Center, Cetin / Yurtsever upset the strong Swiss team, seeded at #2.  The Turkish girls managed to shut out Esther Rohrer / Dunja Gerson by 2:0 (21-18, 21-19) to triumph with the Olympic ticket.

“We started really bad in the tournament and lost two games. But those two games taught us of our mistakes,” Esra Betul Cetin commented on their success.  “We were really focused for the last game.  Now we have a very important tournament ahead of us.  We will try to keep it going and train even harder.”

“We made a great effort to qualify for the 2014 Youth Olympics. We are going to prepare well and represent our country in China.  We are really happy to be a part of the Olympics,” Selin Yurtsever added.

“It is the start of a new era for beach volleyball in Turkey,” Turkey’s coach Carlos Galletti stated.  “This result reflects the enthusiasm of the Turkish Volleyball Federation.  Our players had a short period to prepare for this tournament, but they made it.  They deserve a lot of credit.  This result is combination of hard work and courage.”

In an exciting three-setter that lasted 43 minutes, the Czech Republic secured its Olympic visa by overpowering the strong team of the Netherlands.  Katerina Valkova / Kristyna Adamcikova came back from one set behind Joy Stubbe / Julia Wouters to win the match by 2:1 (17-21, 21-10, 15-7).

“For me this seemed impossible when I came here,” Katerina Valkova admitted.  “It is really nice that we are going to China.  We will start our preparations immediately.  We are really happy.”

“It will be an amazing experience to be in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China,” Kristyna Adamcikova added.  “I can go to China every day.  I am really looking forward to it.”

Russia’s Daria Rudykh / Nadezhda Makroguzova did not allow for any surprises in their match against Belarus’s Viktoryia Shalayeuskaya / Viktoryia Siakretava.  Following a medical time-out the took when trailing behind in the score in the second set, they managed to achieve a U-turn for the final 2:0 (21-17, 22-20).

“We will start to train for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games from now,” Nadezhda Makroguzova said looking at the practical side of the matter.  “We want to be ready for China.  We are a very young team and this is a great opportunity for us.  The last game was not the best, but eventually we won.”

“We were tired because of yesterday’s matches,” explained Daria Rudykh.  “And this game was very emotional at times.  It is going to be really important to prepare well for the Olympics. We want to be successful in China.”