The beach volleyball players Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann just missed the final at the World Cup in Rome.
The German showpiece pair lost 1:2 (15:21, 21:15, 12:15) against Sophie Bukovec and Brandie Wilkerson from Canada. On Sunday, Müller/Tillmann still have a chance of winning bronze in the match for third place against the duo Heidrich/Verge-Depre from Switzerland.
“We were both a bit excited. Maybe a little more than our opponents,” said Cinja Tillmann. “Perhaps the experience of a brandie who has already been to the Olympics twice plays a role.” Shortly after the game, she described her feelings as “neutral”. “I can just say that they were just better today. I’m looking forward to the next game against them.”
In the Foro Italico, which was quite sparsely occupied on Saturday, the newly formed duo will then play for the second German women’s medal at a World Cup. In 2017, the Rio Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst won gold in Vienna.
Müller and Tillmann have only been online for a year and a half. At the tournament in Rome, they are the only bright spot in an overall disappointing German team. Among others, Karla Borger and Julia Sude, who came third in the European Championship, were eliminated in the round of 16.