05/09/2015 19:28
Dutch delight as Stubbe/Daalderop claim U20 European crown
2015 CEV U20 Beach Volleyball European Championship
Larnaka, Cyprus, September 5, 2015. The ‘Oranje’ are celebrating tonight, after Joy Stubbe and Nika Daalderop won the gold medal for The Netherlands in the women’s final of the 2015 CEV U20 Beach Volleyball European Championship. Their opponents from Finland, Ida Sinisalo and Niina Ahtiainen, pushed them all the way in three hard-fought sets (20-22, 21-12, 15-13).
“The fact that we lost the first set made us hungrier and more eager to win the second, something that we did easily. The third set was a different story however, and was won by the team which made fewer mistakes,” said Joy Stubbe.
And she added: “It was our seventh match in the competition in these weather conditions, so you can imagine how exhausted we feel. This was certainly not our best performance, but who cares? We go back to Holland with the best of memories, from the event and the people. This was an experience we will not forget.”
The Russian girls, Nadezhda Makroguzova and Svetlana Kholomina are not leaving Cyprus empty handed after all, as they won the ‘small final’ for the bronze medal against the two Viktoryias from Belarus, Shalayeuskaya and Siakretava, 2-0 (21-16, 21-15).
Judging from their overall performance in the competition, they deserved something from this event and at their last match they saw all their efforts rewarded. “We are leaving Cyprus tomorrow, and we have a bronze medal in our suitcases. What more can we ask?” said Makroguzova, who back in 2013 was crowned U18 European champion in Molodechno, Belarus.
Partner Svetlana Kholomina added: “It’s an excellent result for us, as this is the first medal for all Russian women’s teams in age-group Beach Volleyball events we have participated in during the last two years.”
You can follow the competition also on social media with the official hashtag #EuroBeachVolleyU20
Click here for more info including entry lists, results, pictures and much more
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