01/09/2019 13:00
Dream final in Oslo with world’s best players standing on opposite sides
2019 FIVB World Tour 1-Star - Oslo
Oslo, Norway, September 1, 2019. The organisers hoped for it, but not many thought it would be possible. Still, the dream final is on between the best Beach Volleyball players in the world right now, Christian Sørum and Anders Mol – and their young partners Markus Mol and Nils Ringøen, at the FIVB World Tour 1-Star event Oslo today.
“It is harder to face the best blocker in the world than the world’s best defence player,” says Christian Sørum before the match.
Sørum/Markus Mol beat Mathias Berntsen/Hendrik Mol 2-0 (23-21, 21-17) in their semi-final, while Mol/Ringøen won their game against Lars Tveit Retterholt/Daniel Bergerud in a close three-set match. It ended 2-1 (21-16, 21-23, 15-10), and the historic finale was set. For the first time ever has the best Beach Volleyball team in the world split for a tournament and despite this, both members have reached a World Tour final.
Markus Mol spiking through the block of his elder brother Henrik as partner Christian Sørum looks on
Christian Sørum is first and foremost impressed by his young partner Markus (17). “He played close to a flawless side-out. They were favourites, so we exploited being underdogs. They were a bit stressed when we got close, and when we took the lead they were even mores stressed. We were able to play our game, and Markus did a brilliant job,” he says.
Does he feel that Anders and Nils are the favourites for the final? “I believe it is more difficult for us to face Anders’ block, than for them to deal with my defence. It will probably be easier for Anders to pick those crucial points than it will be for me,” says Sørum.
Anders Mol does not agree. “Is that what he says? Well, we will see. I find it hard to pick anyone as favourite but we will do our best to win,” he says.
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