Pool play is coming to an end at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Hamburg 2019 presented by comdirect and ALDI Nord as six women’s and six men’s groups will determine its final standings on Tuesday as elimination approaches.
Several matchups will determine the winners of these pools while a handful of other duos will give all they have left to secure their survival at the German coastal city. It’s supposed to be a nerve-wrecking day filled with excitement and disappointment and here are the five matches you should focus on...
Who? Keizer/Meppelink v Betschart/Hüberli
Where? Side court 2
When? 11am CEST
Why? This match will determine the winner of Pool H, which will potentially secure a more favorable draw when the elimination rounds start. There’s also some history between these two teams as they met at last year’s European Championships gold medal match, which the Dutch won. The Swiss, however, lead the series between the two teams with a pair of victories, including one in Moscow in 2018, shortly after they clashed for the European title.
Who? Pavan/Humana-Paredes v Claes/Sponcil
Where? Side court 2
When? 12pm CEST
Why? Canadians and Americans are both undefeated after two Pool I matches and will compete for its top spot in a head-to-head matchup which will feature two of the best setters in the women’s game in Melissa and Sarah. The Canadians have the most international experience among the two, but the Americans had fairly better results against teams from Colombia and Russia in Hamburg so far. The unpredictability of the first-ever meeting between them could also be a factor here.
Who? Dalhausser/Lucena v Brouwer/Meeuwsen
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 3pm CEST
Why? This is the only match that won’t necessarily determine a pool winner to make the list, but for good reason – Pool F is wide open with each of its four teams entering the last match day with a win and a loss. Because of that, there are some scenarios in which one of the Americans or the Dutch, both mentioned among the tournament’s favorites, wouldn’t advance if they lose. Phil and Nick have a comfortable 5-2 record against Alex and Robert, but they last played one year ago, so anything could happen.
Who? Mol/Sørum v Pedro/Vitor
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 5pm CEST
Why? The Norwegians are the favorites to take the gold medal home and, after securing comfortable victories over Cubans and Germans, they will have their first real test in the tournament against the Brazilians in the Pool A decider. Pedro and Vitor haven’t been together for much long and are still looking for their best results together, but they are both experienced and had a considerable performance improvement between their first and second matches in Hamburg.
Who? Thole/Wickler v Bourne/Crabb
Where? Red Bull Beach Arena
When? 6pm CEST
Why? Both teams had relatively unchallenging opponents in their first two matches in Hamburg and now will clash for the top spot in Pool L. Thole and Wickler appear to be in a fairly better position as they dominated their games over teams from Rwanda and Iran while Bourne and Crabb had some struggles against the Asians, who took a set of them. It will also be an interesting battle of playing styles as the Germans rely on Thole’s massive net presence while the Americans, who are considerably shorter, normally split the blocking duties among them.
