SCD Beach Volleyball Championship in Vaduz approaching deciding stage

The first of three tournaments on schedule for the Beacharena 2017, the Small Countries Division Beach Volleyball European Championship, is coming to the decisive phase – with teams playing in a double elimination format in the men’s competition. As for the women, so far they have been contesting matches for the pool phase.

The Liechtensteiner duo Manuel Gahr/Maximilian von Deichmann, i.e. the top seed of the competition, reached the semis on the third day of competition in Vaduz. The home stars played against fifth-seeded Antreas Savvidis/Charalampos Zorpis of Cyprus and delivered a 2-0 victory (21-16, 21-19). The second team, which qualified directly for the semi-finals coming up on Sunday, are the Austrians Florian Schnetzer/Peter Eglseer, the no. 2 seed of the tournament. They are competing in Vaduz upon receiving a wild card as they prepare for next week’s CEV Satellite tournament taking place in Vaduz as well.

The young Liechtensteiner team Severin Broder/Jannis Wymann lost their second game as well and finished the championship in 13th place. As Petra Schifferle-Walser, the coach of the Liechtenstein youth teams, emphasised, “it was important for them to gather a first experience on the international stage. It was their first appearance at an international tournament.”

The women’s competition started Saturday with only three teams contesting the pool phase, i.e. the two Irish tandems Regina Halpin/Roisin Taieb Roantree and Miriam Gormally/Marie-Claire Sabogal and the Liechtenstein youth team Belinda Jehle/Michelle Tijkorte. The Liechtenstein team lost both matches by 1-2, but they still have chances to win the tournament. The Irish tandem Halpin/Roantree won the pool play and they will play for gold against the team emerging victorious from the battle for third place.

The women’s and men’s finals will take place on Sunday at 3 and 5 pm respectively. The competition resumes on Sunday morning at 10 am with men’s matches determining the two ‘missing’ semi-finalists.

For further information visit www.beacharena.li