Doppler/Horst first Austrian men’s team in World Championship quarterfinals
Doppler/Horst reach FIVB quarterfinals in Vienna
In a dramatically close match Austrian beach volleyballers Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst beat Jefferson Santos Pereira and Cherif Younousse (Qatar) to reach the World Championship quarterfinals.
The scene had been set for them to play one of their most important and probably the most emotional match of their lives. In an incredible heat of more than 35 degree Celsius the centre court was already boiling when the 4 players entered. More than 10.000 beach volleyball fans (with even more waiting in front of the stadium to get in) transformed the arena into a fool’s house. The enthusiastic, sometimes fanatic crowd pushed their Austrian compatriots to the limits.
The first set was a thriller and ended in extra-length with 26:24 for the Austrians. With the arena even getting more ecstatic, they fought themselves through the second set to finally win by 24:22. The final match point was celebrated tremendously and kicked-off a huge party at centre court. See the matchball here:
In the quarterfinals Doppler/ Horst will be facing Poland’s Piotr Kantor and Bartosz Losiak tomorrow at 5:15pm.
Hi It’s amazing what a huge sport beach volley ball is and extremely competitive too! We are lucky to have a beach volley ball court only five minutes away, and it gets very well used by people of all ages, shapes and sizes over the summer months. Thanks for sharing your article. Cheers, Karen
Yes, I totally agree. Popularity of beach volleyball has significantly increased. It has even developed into kind of a trendy sport for the younger generation which can also be seen in Vienna right now.
Like the layout. Kind makes you feel like you are there.
Great work
Thanks, Brad! I was there and it was really amazing.