It promises to be the perfect start to the week at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships presented by comdirect and ALDI Nord as Hamburg opens its doors once more to thousands of beach fans.
And Monday’s action is definitely one to increase the heartbeat as a number of intense battles take place with teams aiming to book their places in the knockout stages and avoid an early trip home.
There’s loads of top matches taking place – I mean, that’s obvious – but here’s five games that you really shouldn’t miss.
Who? Perusic/Schweiner v Rossi/Carambula
Where? Side court 3
When? 11am CEST
Why? With one victory and one defeat apiece for both teams, this is a fight to automatically qualify for the knockout stages. If results go their way the winner could even top the pool, but having come through a number of tough games in the Pool of Death it will be interesting to see how much energy the tandems have left. Rossi and Carambula are happy to be here given they only entered the tournament a day before it started and they will be keen to prolong their unexpected stay.
Who? Herrera/Gavira v Durant/Schumann
Where? Side court 2
When? 2pm CEST
Why? Experienced Spanish pair Herrera/Gavira are eyeing a place in the final four after losing in the quarter-finals at four previous World Champs. That’s a long way off yet but they got off to a winning start in their pool on Saturday and will aim to make it two wins out of two against the Australians. Durant and Schumann came mighty close to causing a sensational upset in their first match, going down in three to Evandro and Bruno – and if they can show the same kind of form against the Spaniards then they have every chance of winning this one.
Who? Krasilnikov/Stoyanovskiy v Doppler/Horst
Where? Side court 2
When? 5pm CEST
Why? Three medalists from Vienna two years ago meet in what will be a clash to decide the winner of Pool C. Both teams have won both of their first games in Hamburg in good style and, with a good draw for the knockout stages the incentive with a victory, this will be worth tuning in to. Russians Krasilnikov and Stoyanovskiy are one of the favorites for the title this year but the Vienna silver medalists Doppler/Horst are hunting another successful tournament so expect fireworks.
Who? Artacho/Clancy v Sweat/Walsh Jennings
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 6pm CEST
Why? Two of the world’s top teams go toe-to-toe in a mouth-watering clash on the Red Bull Beach Arena. Both teams have won and lost one match each so this takes on extra significance with the winner taking an immediate ticket to the elimination stage and the losers sweating on whether they have to play a lucky loser game. Can the Australians bounce back after their defeat to the Dutch? They will need to beat their American opponents which they have failed to do in their last two meetings in May.
Who? Klineman/Ross v Borger/Sude
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 7.15pm CEST
Why? Germans Borger/Sude have begun their home tournament in fine form, winning both of their matches so far, but they face a stern test of their credentials against the strongest the US team in Hamburg. Klineman/Ross have also won their two games so this will be a battle to see who tops Pool E and with it a more favourable draw for the knockout stages. Borger/Sude will have the help of the crowd on the Red Bull Beach Arena sand – and it will be interesting to see if that backing can help them succeed against one of the favorites for the title.
