The Spanish Herrera/Gavira have won bronze in the DELA European champions League Beach Volleyball. In the battle for the third place the experienced men had to go deep against the Russian team Semenov/Leshukov. In a packed stadium in The Hague the result, after a spectacular third set, was 21-17, 13-21 and 15-12. “So nice to take this medal with me to Spain” thus a proud Gavira.
In the battle for bronze the Spanish started good; Herrera cleverly saved a hard ball with 1 hand and there after scored 6-4. With three killing blocks by Gavira the score became 10-7 for the Spanish experts. The experienced players did not give away the advance anymore. The Russians still worked the first set point away, but again with a killing block the set was won by the Spanish: 21-17.
The second set began with a troublesome moment: Semenov injured his ankle. But he still could continue the match to the relief of the enthusiastic public. The Russians put more pressure on the match with a sharp service and the Spanish did not have a proper answer to that, resulting soon to 3-8. Herrera and Gavira did not get into the match and made more and more unnecessary mistakes. Due to this the advance of the Russians became bigger and bigger, also due to a number of hard attacks of the long guy Semenov (2.10 m.) At the technical time-out the score was already 7-14. Semenov also showed his strength by blocking and the set resulted in a extreme score: 13-21 for the Russians.
A blocking by Herrera was the basis for a good Spanish start in the over deciding third set. Gavira scored 7-5 with a hard smash and at the same time and urged on the public a bit. After a tremendous spectacular rally there were three players exhausted on the ground but meanwhile the Spanish scored 8-6. The public clearly supported Herrera and Gavira but in the heat the Russians kept their heads cool and brought the score to equal again: 9-9.
A nice final phase followed by, amongst others a kill block of Gavira , an ace and a wonderful placed ball by Leshukov. At the score 11-12 for the Russians Herrera and Gavira decided to take a time-out. A good decision, because the Spanish fought themselves back to 14.-12. After a splendid, long rally the experts finalized the match: 15-12. The joyfulness exploded. Gavira shortly looked back on the bad second set: “That was pretty sour and very painful, my partner did not have any energy anymore. I am very proud that we have been able to reset ourselves”. His partner Herrera was very honest about it: he gave the credits for the victory fully to his partner. “He has rescued us in the third set, he was so strong in the defence and also blocking he scored many points. I am so glad with this result; how great that we were able to reset ourselves.
Gavira did not have a clou how he had managed it, but it did not matter anymore. “We have bronze and that is what counts. This was again a tremendous tournament in The Netherlands thanks to the wonderful organization. In Utrecht it was enjoying ultimately and here again. The public indeed gave us extra energy in the third set. Last year we won silver here, so The Netherlands suit us. What a fine atmosphere thanks to a wonderful public.”