Intriguing matchups in Rome quarterfinals – Vikings in trouble against Germany
Rome’s iconic Foro Italico will see eight teams from eight countries in the men’s quarterfinals today. At 235pm Czech team Perusic/Schweiner will face Hamburg silver medalists Thole/Wickler who had no trouble defeating Russians Semenov/Leshukov in the round of 16. The Czechs had spoiled the Roman party by knocking out home favorites Adrian “Mr. Skyball” Carambula and Enrico Rossi.
At the same time last US team standing Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb will go up against Spaniards Herrera/Gavira on centre court. The Americans needed three sets against surprise team Aye/Gauthier-Rat. The French had eliminated Olympic champion Alison and his partner Alvaro Filho in the previous round.
At 335pm reigning world champions Krasilnikov/Stoyanvskiy of Russia will play 2015 world championships silver medalist Christian Varenhorst. Varenhorst and his current partner Steve van de Velde had succeeded in an all-Dutch three-set battle against 2013 world champions Brouwer/ Meeuwsen in the round of 16 (21:18, 17:21, 15:13).
In an exciting matchup on centre court at 350pm Norwegians Anders Mol and Christian Sorum will face reigning Olympic champion Bruno and Vienna world champion Evandro of Brazil. The young Vikings have not been playing their best beach volleyball so far. In the round of 16, they had to overcome a huge challenge against Ehlers/Flüggen. In a rematch of the Tokyo 4-star final, the Germans won the first set and also took the lead in the second before Mol/Sorum finally managed to step up their game. Increasing service pressure and Mol’s jump serve helped the Vikings to win the second and third set and to end the run of Ehlers/ Flüggen. The Germans proved to be in great shape in Rome and had knocked out Latvians Samoilivs/Smedins in an epic battle in the previous round. In a match that didn’t deserve a loser and lasted for more than 70 minutes, the Germans recovered from a first set loss and won as close as one can win (29:31, 28:26, 17:15).
The quarter- and semifinals will be streamed on Youtube.
