Competition heats up as top teams fight to advance to the elimination round at Polson Pier
TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2016 /CNW/ - Spectacular sport and great entertainment on day three of the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals: American John Hyden, the oldest player in the tournament, together with his partner Tri Bourne, was first to secure a place in the quarterfinals. But, the biggest surprise of the tournament so far came from Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, the Olympic champions from Germany, who lost both pool matches.
Kerri Walsh-Jennings and April Ross from the USA, Larissa Franca and Talita Antunes from Brazil, Chantal Laboureur and Julia Sude from Germany and the Swiss team of Nadine Zumkehr and Joana Heidrich, directly advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2016 Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in Toronto.
Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, who took gold at the Rio games and were considered the big favorites for the season's showdown, did not guarantee a spot in the Quarter Finals. The German superstars will face the Canadian heroes Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson in the round of 16.
"It definitely was not our day today," Ludwig said, "we're not used to losing twice in the same day and it doesn't happen that often. It has been a tough season and now we have to get our energy back. We are not playing on the same level we did in Rio or in the season before." Walkenhorst added "We are here to enjoy the tournament, but in order to do so we have to play better than today."
After winning their opening match against Evandro/Pedro Solberg from Brazil, Hyden/Bourne from the USA also triumphed over the Canadians Saxton/Schalk. "It came down to a couple plays," Hyden told the media. "It really comes down to just one or two plays and we made them at the end and that was the difference. We just have to get our stuff done tomorrow and be ready for the next day – that's the hardest part. Well we do the same thing that we always do and enjoy Toronto."
What a day it was for the two Polish pairs on show at Polson. Two teams, two games, two wins! Losiak/Kantor stunned Americans Dalhausser/Lucena to triumph in straight sets. "It's a big win and it's good for Polish volleyball because for the first time in history two teams are playing in the Swatch FIVB World Tour Finals," Losiak said afterwards. Just minutes late Kantor/Losiak's victory came another exciting result: Prudel/Fijalek battered Rio bronze medalists Brouwer/Meeuwsen from the Netherlands 2-0. "It's great to be here with the top teams and we're hoping for a trophy after a long, hard season," Mariusz said.
Toronto fans are filling the seats and loving the excitement on Polson Pier. Fans are encouraged to get to the stadium early as the free admission and entertainment are sure to draw a huge crowd. Weekend entertainment includes activities for all ages including:
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ABOUT SWATCH MAJOR SERIES
The Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series arose out of a joint venture between the Austrian Companies Red Bull and Hannes Jagerhofer, founder and CEO of the ACTS group. Red Bull, established in the 1980's by Dietrich Mateschitz, is one of the world's most famous brands, its direct marketing focusing on sports and lifestyle. ACTS Group, an agency founded in 1990, is a full service provider of event-marketing, external communication and online services and famous in the world of sports for its outstanding organizational qualities shown at the Beach Volleyball tournament in Klagenfurt/Carinthia. The collaboration of a worldwide successful brand and an experienced promoter takes Beach Volleyball to a whole new level. Furthermore another strong partner is on board: Swatch supports the sport and its athletes, being title sponsor of the Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series. It displays a cooperation in order to develop Beach Volleyball as the world's number one summer sports event and to achieve the following vision: "Establish Beach Volleyball as a multimedial sports-entertainment event for athletes, fans & partners."
SOURCE Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series
Image with caption: "Tri Bourne (USA) and John Hyden (USA) (CNW Group/Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160916_C5168_PHOTO_EN_774874.jpg
Caroline Dunnet, Edelman, 647-252-2864/416-816-9947, [email protected]; Victoria Neufeld, Edelman, 416-849-8921, [email protected]
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