Women's final at 12:15 p.m. and the men's final at 3 p.m. at the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in Toronto
TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Following a decisive loss in straight sets at the Rio Olympics, Saxton/Schalk look to advance to the gold medal match at the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in Toronto. The hometown heroes face the Brazilian Olympic gold medalists in the semis in order to advance.
Ludwig/Walkenhorst of Germany have the opportunity to make history in Toronto, after winning Olympic gold, and will face Swiss contenders Joana Heidrich and Nadine Zumkehr for first place at the Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals in Toronto. Winning all four titles in the elimination round is a unique feat for Beach Volleyball teams at the majors level.
"We know Nadine and Jo very well, we've played against each other and practiced with them a number of times. It will definitely be tough," Ludwig said.
After defeating fellow Swiss team Forrer/Vergé-Dépré in the semi-finals, Nadine Zumkehr shared her excitement being in the finals, "it's like a dream – I think any player would want to end their career in the final of the Swatch World Tour Finals," Zumkehr said. Tomorrow's final will be her final match before retiring. "There are no words to describe the feeling. I will go out and enjoy every point and fight even harder to bring the gold home. We have nothing to lose, we want to enjoy it and go out with a smile and that's what we're going to do."
Women's Bronze goes to Isabelle Forrer and Anouk Vergé-Dépré of Switzerland
Forrer/Vergé -Dépré clinched a place on podium with a hard-earned victory in the bronze medal match. After a slow start against last year's champs Larissa/Talita, Forrer/Vergé-Dépré fought back to blitz the Brazilians on Center Court. "To finish the season like this is the perfect scenario for us," Forrer said. The Swiss team's win means the podium will be full sweep for Europe at this year's Swatch Beach Volleyball FIVB World Tour Finals at Polson Pier.
Olympic champions and home heroes in the semis
It's Brazil against the rest of the world in the men's semifinals: Super Sunday starts on Polson Pier at 10 a.m. with the match between Evandro/Pedro Solberg and the Americans Bourne/ Hyden followed by a very promising duel at 11 a.m. There will be emotion and noise guaranteed when the Olympic champs Alison/Bruno are challenged by Canadian home heroes Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk.
Gates open at Polson Pier at 9 a.m. in advance of the two semi-final games, followed by the women's final at 12:15 p.m. and the men's final at 3 p.m. Fans are encouraged to get to Polson Pier early as the free admission and hometown heroes are sure to draw a huge crowd. Once in the gates, fans can expect a wide variety of entertainment and activities for all ages including:
RELATED LINKS
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SOCIAL GUIDE
Follow along with all the action via the below handles
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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: "Ben Saxton (CAN) and Chaim Schalk (CAN) (CNW Group/Swatch Beach Volleyball Major Series)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160918_C7026_PHOTO_EN_775717.jpg
Caroline Dunnet, Edelman, 647-252-2864/416-816-9947, [email protected]; Victoria Neufeld, Edelman, 416-849-8921, [email protected]
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