Sunday funday, isn’t it? Well, that’s very true at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Hamburg 2019 presented by comdirect and ALDI Nord as the third day of competition features some of the best pool play matches of the entire tournament.
As several teams see the court for the second time in Hamburg, pieces are starting to fall in place in some pools and each match has a massive impact on the next steps of the tournament. You should definitely be all out day enjoying the weather and watching world-class beach volleyball, but here’s our pick for the five games you don’t want to miss.
Who? Clancy/Artacho v Stubbe/van Iersel
Where? Side court 2
When? 11am CEST
Why? The two teams won their opening matches in Hamburg and this could ultimately be the game that determines the first-placed team in Pool G. The Australians are in great form as they’re fresh from winning the four-star tournament in Warsaw two weeks ago, but the Dutch have had a promising start as they downed American legend Kerri Walsh-Jennings and her partner Brooke Sweat. These are also two of the best serving teams in the entire tournament, so expect players to bomb from the service line.
Who? Fijalek/Bryl v Bergmann/Harms
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 1pm CEST
Why? The Polish have been the second-best team in the world for a while now, but at times it seems they just don’t get enough credit for their great play. Facing a home team in a packed Red Bull Beach Arena should provide them with a good enough opportunity to raise their profiles in Hamburg. The Germans have their backs against the wall after losing their first match in the tournament and they will need to be at their absolute best to challenge Fijalek and Bryl and put themselves in a more comfortable spot in the standings.
Who? Bansley/Brandie v Heidrich/Vergé-Dépré
Where? Side court 2
When? 2pm CEST
Why? The Canadians are among the favorites to win the World Champs and the Swiss are having a season of ups and downs, but they are always a threat to any team in the world. There will also be an interesting duel between two of the most physical blockers in the Tour in Brandie and Heidrich. Recent form says the Canadians should take this one, but the Swiss came out on top in three of the four times the teams crossed paths at the international level, so who knows?
Who? Semenov/Leshukov v Slick/Allen
Where? Side court 2
When? 4pm CEST
Why? The Russians had a convincing start against an unexperienced Qatari team but now they will face similar-level opposition in the Americans, who might be making a late World Championships debut, but have proven to belong at this stage as they pushed Brazilians Alison Cerutti and Álvaro Filho to three sets on their first match in Hamburg. The Europeans are more physical, especially due to Semenov’s size, while the Americans tend to rely more on their finesse to score, so I will be a little bit of styles battle as well.
Who? Maria Antonelli/Carol v Ludwig/Kozuch
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 8.30pm CEST
Why? The Brazilians enjoyed an expected and comfortable victory against Nigeria to start their World Championships campaign while the Germans sent a strong message by defeating Americans Larsen and Stockman on their debut. Antonelli and Carol have been together for three seasons now and they have great chemistry, something Ludwig and Kozuch are still looking for, but the reigning Olympic and world champion is yet to lose an international match in her hometown Hamburg and she will certainly give everything she has to keep things this way.
