16/09/2017 12:11
Teams from four countries fight for spot to compete at Commonwealth Games
News from the National Federations
Larnaca, Cyprus, September 15, 2017. The first-ever European qualification tournament for the Beach Volleyball competition of the 2018 Commonwealth Games started on Friday in Cyprus. Teams from four countries – Cyprus, England, Scotland and Wales – are participating in this unique and truly historic event leading up to next year’s Commonwealth Games due to take place on the Gold Coast in Australia.
The programme of the first competition day featured five matches held at the Finikoudes Beach Sports Centre, with some 300 spectators in attendance.
The event started on a high note as hosts Cyprus played against pre-favourites England in the women’s competition. The game was as competitive as everyone expected it would be, with Victoria Palmer/Jessica Grimson of England eventually emerging victorious 2-1. The English team showed great character and remain a force to reckon with for a spot in Saturday’s final.
There were easy wins for Scotland’s Lynne Beattie/Melissa Coutts and England (2-0) against the Welsh women, who were competing in their first-ever international tournament. The day finished with a crunch match between Cyprus and Scotland. The Cyprus team Mariota Angelopoulou and Manolina Konstantinou won 2-0 in a surprisingly comfortable way and as a result, the home stars are still hoping to reach the final Saturday.
Only one men’s match featuring Cyprus and Wales was on schedule for the men’s competition, with Cyprus winning 2-0.The Cyprus men, Apostolou/Chrysostomou, will be hoping to do well against Scotland Saturday in a match likely to determine the winners of the men’s tournament and the eventual qualifiers for the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
The competition resumes Saturday at 15:30, with the men's final at 20:10 followed by the women’s grand finale.
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