31/08/2019 16:00
Four Norwegian teams fight for the Oslo podium
2019 FIVB World Tour 1-Star - Oslo
Oslo, Norway, August 31, 2019. After four days of playing just outside the Central Station, four Norwegian teams have made it to the semi-finals of the FIVB World Tour 1-Star event in Oslo. It might end up in a final between the two best Beach Volleyball players in the world right now, Anders Mol (pictured) and Christian Sørum. In Oslo, they have split up and are pairing with the youngsters Nils Ringøen (18) and Markus Mol (17).
Teams from 12 nations have participated in the Oslo tournament. Teams from Sweden, David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig, and Denmark, Morten Øvergaard/Martin Trans Hansen and Mads Rosager/Jacob Stein Brinck, made their way through to the quarterfinals, but lost to Norwegian opponents. Especially the two Swedish youngsters (both 17 years old) impressed with their unorthodox style. The 2018 Youth Olympic gold medallists from Buenos Aires gave third seeded Hendrik Mol and Mathias Berntsen a fight to the end in their quarterfinal, ending up with a 2-1 defeat (24-22, 19-21, 15-12).
“It is part of our preparations for the 2024 Olympics,” Norwegian head coach Kåre Mol said to explain why the Beach Volley Vikings Anders Mol and Christian Sørum play with other partners this week in Oslo. They want to test their many youngsters to see who is able to take the necessary step up. Markus Mol and Nils Ringøen have both taken good care of their opportunity, delivering high-class Beach Volleyball during the tournament.
Superstar Christian Sørum and teenager Markus Mol playing together in Oslo.
“We are getting better with each match,” Christian Sørum said after their quarterfinal win against Rosager/Brinck (21-17, 21-16). They had not more than 10 minutes for co-training before the tournament, due to a bad shoulder for Markus Mol.
The first semi-final will feature Sørum/M. Mol and H. Mol/Berntsen, while A. Mol/Ringøen meet Lars Tveit Retterholt/Daniel Bergerud in the second. Will we see Christian Sørum and Anders Mol facing each other in the final? Is one or two of the other Norwegian teams able to spring a surprise?
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