The German beach volleyball players initially bit their teeth out in the round of 16 of the European Championship. Only after the fifth German group game of the day was the first entry into the round of the last 16 really certain. The rest have to go to the second round.
Karla Borger and Julia Sude broke the spell and were the first German duo to make it straight into the round of 16 at the home European Championship. The duo from Dusseldorf won their second group game on Wednesday against the Italians Valentina Gottardi and Marta Menegatti 2-0 (21:19, 21:19) and after two victories they are first in the group in the round of the top 16.
Lippmann and Rio Olympic champion Walkenhorst withstand the pressure
After their opening defeat, the new duo Kira Walkenhorst/Louisa Lippmann was under pressure in the second group game against Erika Kliokmanaite/Monika Paulikiene (Lithuania). The first set ended at 21:15, but after a 17:21 in the hard-fought second round it got really tight.
In the end, Walkenhorst and Lippmann won the decisive tie-break with 15:12. Both form an interesting duo: Walkenhorst, Rio Olympic champion from 2016, is making her comeback at a major tournament after an injury break. Lippmann, who has been a top indoor player for many years, has just finally switched to the “Beach” because of the prospect of the Olympics. The 27-year-old is still struggling with adjustment problems.
After the 2nd matchday of group D, it is clear that the wildcard starters can no longer reach the round of 16 directly. They definitely have to go to the repechage round.
First defeat for World Cup third
After winning the first game in Group A, Cinja Tillmann and Svenja Müller suffered a defeat in their second appearance. Against the Spanish duo Daniela Alvarez-Mendoza and Tania Moreno Matveeva, Rome, who came third in the World Cup, was initially able to avert the zero number with 21:19 after a 14:21. After a 12:15 in the tie-break, this was decided.
Winter/Henning remain without a win
In the men’s group H, Paul Henning/Sven Winter remain without a win. Despite being in the lead after a clear 21:13, the two players from Hamburg had to admit defeat to the Austrians Christoph Dressler and Alexander Huber with 18:21 and 12:15. Henning was still active as a middle blocker for Bundesliga club Frankfurt until the end of the year, since then he has been part of a team with German champion Sven Winter.
First bankruptcy also for Ehlers/Wickler
Like the women Müller/Tillmann, the men Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler also suffered their first defeat. It was extremely close against the Austrians Julian Hörl/Alexander Horst. The tie-break went to the guests from the nearby Alpine Republic at 16:14. The German duo had previously won the second round after a 16:21 with 21:15.
Game turned: Schneider/Ittlinger celebrate victory
With a strong will, Isabel Schneider and Sandra Ittlinger fought back in their match against the Poles Katarzyna Kociolek and Marta Lodej and won 2:1. Schneider/Ittlinger narrowly lost the first set with 19:21. They got the second with 21:16. In the decisive third set, the Germans kept their nerves and made everything clear with the 15:13.