Today in the Hague two clashes between Czech and Russia were scheduled. They played for a place in the last sixteen of the European Championship Beach Volleyball. The first match was won by the Russian team Ukolova/Birlova.
The first set was a pretty easy win for the Russian girls Ukolova and Birlova (21-11). Czech Republic made (too) many personal errors in serves and attacks. The second set was something more exciting, but still the Russian showed they were the best team of those two. They won this set with 21-19.
Directly after the match the Russians already changed their focus to the next match. Tonight they play against the Dutch team Sinnema/Bloem. “To be very honest, we didn’t see them playing very often this season”, says Birlova. “But we still have time to do some research”. They think it will become an exciting match. “It’s always nice to play to a team which plays for it’s home crowd. We didn’t see so many Russian fans already, neither in Rotterdam nor in the Hague.
The second Czech Republich – Russia clash of today was won by the Czech team Hermannová/Slukova. The first set was for a long time an exciting one between the Czech and the Russian ladies Makroguzova and Kholomina. The Czech, placed second fort his tournament, showed why they were the favourites for this match. They won the first set with a score of 21-17.
The second set became a set which the crowd in the Hague won’t forget. It was the longest set of this tournament so far. Russia saved nine match points and they got the chance to win the set themselves. In the end, the Czech girls had more endurance than the Russians: 36-34. “It was quite a masterpiece. I think it was the longest set I’ve ever played”, said Sluková. “If we don’t win tonight, at least we managed to win the longest set of the tournament.”
The battle for a spot in the quarter finals is up for tonight at 20.30. The Finnish team Lehtonen/Ahtiainen is the opponent for the Czechs. The teams know each other well, the Czech girls state: “We trained together before this season, we’re good friends. We have competed against each other often, so it will be a big fight tonight. It’s do or die.”