25/08/2020 17:44
Montpellier 1-Star event underway
2020 World Tour 1-Star - Montpellier
Montpellier, France, August 25, 2020. The third 1-Star World Tour event held after the long break imposed by the coronavirus pandemic started on Tuesday in Montpellier, France. The competition got underway with the qualification round involving 12 teams, all hoping to secure one the four coveted spots available to complete the Main Draw. Teams from the Netherlands, Israel, Sweden and Switzerland eventually achieved this feat. Montpellier is the only French stop on the World Tour and the event takes place in compliance with strict hygiene and health protocols to prevent any infection from the novel coronavirus.
The home teams representing France failed to make it to the Main Draw. Jérémy Silvestre and Titouan Halle lost a tight three-set match to Nathan Broch and Jonathan Jordan of Switzerland. In the last match of the day, Yann Faure and Florian Gosselin fought hard also against the very hot conditions but ended up losing to Peter Lundgren and Jakob Wijk Tegenrot of Sweden (pictured above). Even though they scored some good blocks in the first set, the Frenchmen could not capitalise on two set points and eventually lost the match 20-22, 18-21.
However, the French teams may still continue their journey in Montpellier following the withdrawal of some Swiss teams – so later this evening there will be a draw to determine the ‘lucky losers’ who will have the opportunity to join the Main Draw despite their setbacks today.
Sean Faiga and Netanel Amiram Ohana of Israel qualified for the Main Draw as well as they comfortably claimed their matchup with Damjan Pusonjic and Vukasin Rajkovic of Serbia (21-17, 21-10). Serbia had two teams in the qualification round, but none managed to reach the Main Draw.
Dutchmen Leon Luini and Matthew Immers have progressed to the Main Draw as well, after recording victories over teams from Portugal and Sweden in the first and second round of qualifications, respectively.
The competition in Montpellier will resume on Wednesday at noon. Live streaming of the final competition day will be available on the CEV’s channels on Saturday, August 29.
Click here for further information.
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