After Julius Thole’s retirement, beach volleyball star Clemens Wickler is planning a new start with Nils Ehlers – right at the World Cup.
Clemens Wickler definitely doesn’t know his new beach volleyball partner down to the last detail. Although Nils Ehlers “is taller and would have to eat more, he would still let me have the last potato”emphasized the Vice World Champion full of conviction – and earned a puzzled look from his colleague.
“Still in the discovery phase”
The new duo still has to settle down on the field. But the Beach World Cup is just around the corner, and the two are the only German men’s team to start at the tournament in Rome (until June 19th) starting on Friday (June 10th, 2022). “As you can see, we are still in the discovery phase”Ehlers said jokingly, looking at his partner’s potato anecdote.
This sentence is also true in sporting terms. The two have only been on the field together since the end of 2021. After the surprising end of Julius Thole’s career, who wants to devote himself fully to his law studies, Wickler tries to start over with Ehlers.
Sports show met Wickler on Fuerteventura
Defining a goal for the World Cup is therefore difficult. “We are still in the middle of the process. But we realize that the path we have taken is the right one”, explained Wickler, who won World Championship silver with Thole in 2019. But there is no pressure to represent Germany as the only men’s team.
In March of this year, the Sportschau met Wickler in the training camp on Fuerteventura, after a few strenuous sessions – at that time without Ehlers at his side – Wickler said: “I’m really looking forward to the new season, it’s going really well. I like training here in the strong wind, then you’re prepared for a lot.” A month later in Side, Turkey, Wickler/Ehlers were in the training camp together in the “Blue Waters Club” beach arena and laid the foundation for their World Cup form.
Four women’s teams in Rome
For women, the numbers are different. There are four duos with Karla Borger/Julia Sude, Svenja Müller/Cinja Tillmann, Chantal Laboureur/Sarah Schulz and Sandra Ittlinger/Isabel Schneider. “It is currently very poor in the men’s area,” says London Olympic champion Jonas Reckermann in Sport Bild: “Unfortunately, not much has happened in recent years.” Experienced players would be missing at the moment, “which could lead the existing young talents to the top international level”.
The situation has also been recognized by the German Volleyball Association. “The selection of German top teams is smaller compared to the offer for women”, said Niclas Hildebrand, Sports Director Beach Volleyball. The association is after Thole’s resignation “but in good spirits to be able to close the gap with young and hungry players in the next few months”. In Rome, however, Ehlers/Wickler now have to do their best on their own. “The goal at the World Cup is ninth place plus X”said Hildebrand.
“Also hurt the top teams a lot”
The duo was able to gather some competition practice at the Beach Pro Tour. Most recently, Ehlers/Wickler achieved fifth place in Jurmala in the “Elite 16”, the highest category in the tournament series. The duo showed there that “also hurt the top teams a lot with our style of play” could, explained Wickler.
On paper, the first group opponents Hans Hannibal/Marco Cairus Lucarelli (Uruguay) on Saturday do not belong in this category. Then it’s off against Noslen Diaz Amaro/Jorge Luis Alayo Moliner (Cuba) and Christopher McHugh/Paul Burnett (Australia).