09/08/2015 16:09
Reigning Swiss champions grab gold in all-Swiss final at Biel/Bienne Masters
2015 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship - Biel/Bienne Masters
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, August 9, 2015. In a rematch of the Swiss nationals held last year in Bern, reigning Swiss champions Joana Heidrich and Nadine Zumkehr (pictured) swooped to claim the gold medal at a packed centre court and were crowned champions of the 2015 CEV Beach Volleyball European Championship – Biel/Bienne Masters on Sunday to cap a fine tournament for the hosts.
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As the final day brought the only clouds to be seen in Biel/Bienne this week, the weather did little to dampen affairs; instead it foreshadowed a hurricane of action and emotion as the medal winners were decided, closing the women’s tournament in sensational style.
The battle for bronze between the losers of the semis opened proceedings and it was a German/Austrian affair as Victoria Bieneck/Julia Grossner and Stefanie Schwaiger/Barbara Hansel were to slug it out one last time with the consolation prize at stake. Initially, the Germans were unable to cope with the Austrians’ intensity and the game looked almost academic as they were out of the blocks like an express train to cruise to a one set lead (21-14).
As Bieneck/Grossner dug in, the Germans fought their way back winning some fantastic rallies to take the second set (21-16) and treat the spectators in attendance to an unexpected classic. A feeling began to linger within the crowd that the Austrians may have had one hand on the bronze medal rather prematurely.
So it proved, as the Germans steamrolled forward in a heart-stopping final set. Premature joy became Austrian agony as Bieneck/Grossner prevailed 20-18 to snatch the podium finish from their grasp and ensure the bronze medal would be going with them on the plane home to Germany.
The excitement of the bronze clash however was to be a simple hors d’oeuvre ahead of the great feast which was the final; as top two seeds Joana Heidrich/Nadine Zumkehr and Isabelle Forrer/Anouk Vergé-Dépré faced off in a titanic all-Swiss duel in the grand finale where the elusive gold medal laid in wait for the winners. For once, the home crowd was divided, after both sides had won their hearts over the course of the tournament. After the bronze starter, the Swiss served up a gourmet dish for the main event in a stunning show of sporting theatre wrought with passion, emotion, desire and some enthralling pieces of play as friends and compatriots turned fierce rivals on court.
Local heroine Nadine Zumkehr and teammate Joana Heidrich was the prevailing pair, forcing their compatriots into submission by winning 2:0 in two enthralling sets (21-19, 22-20), claiming the gold medal for Switzerland for the first time in the history of the Biel/Bienne Masters. For the runners-up Forrer/Vergé-Dépré, it is more heartache and despair as they will have to stomach the bitter taste of a second consecutive defeat in the final of these championships after last year they lost to Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude of Germany.
As the curtain came down on the women’s competition, it rounded off a perfect rehearsal for the European Championships in Biel/Bienne next year from a Swiss perspective, especially since both the gold and silver medals remained on home shores. With more big tournaments to come and a sensational showing this year, the hosts can be optimistic of more success next year and of adding another fine chapter to their sporting history.
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