Stare Jablonki, Poland, July 6, 2013 – Jonathan Erdmann and Kay Matysik roared into the men’s semifinals at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Mazury 2013 with a win over Brazil’s Evandro Goncalves and Vitor Felipe on Saturday.
The German pair beat the Brazilians 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) to set up a semifinal with The Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen on Sunday.
In recent years Jonas Reckermann and Julius Brink have set the standard for German beach volleyball by winning gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the 2009 World Championships and now Erdmann and Matysik want to give German fans even more to cheer.
“We looked at Jonas and Julius and we learned from them that it is always good to stay cool and calm and that is what we do,” Erdmann said. “Hopefully one day we will be as successful as them.
“I think there will be three medals given away tomorrow and we want one of them; the one that shines the most – gold.”
Dutch delight
Brouwer and Meeuwsen confirmed their potential by knocking out Brazil’s Pedro Salgado and Bruno Oscar Schmidt 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 21-19).
The pair have been steadily improving over the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, but had to hit new heights to defeat the fifth seeds.
“It is incredible,” Brouwer said. “I can’t still believe it after the last serve, the reception went over the net and my partner killed it. I looked at the referee and saw his arm go in our direction. I still can’t believe it.
“It is our first World Championships and we had a goal to reach the top eight and we made it, so we had to make a new goal. We’re not finished yet; tomorrow we’ll play with everything we’ve got.”
Defending champs stay on course
Reigning champions Alison Cerutti and Emanuel Rego continued to build towards a successful defence of their world title and needed only 34 minutes to beat Canada’s Chaim Schalk and Ben Saxton, 2-0 (21-17, 22-20).
Despite their wobbles at times in the tournament the pair are starting to put a mixed year behind them and are beginning to find their best form together.
“We are growing at just the right time,” Alison said. “We are confident and physically fit. Emanuel is 40, but playing great volleyball. I had my finger injury, but that is behind me now.
“Confidence is very important for an athlete and we are finding confidence at all the crucial moments at this World Championships. We are growing and I hope that this will help us to win this title.”
Friends reunited
Emanuel and Alison’s win set up an all-Brazilian semifinal against Emanuel’s former partner Ricardo Santos and his current teammate Alvaro Filho.
As a team Emanuel and Ricardo won the 2003 World Championships and the 2004 Olympic gold. Furthermore two years ago Emanuel and Alison beat Ricardo and Marcio Araujo in the final of Rome 2011.
Alvaro is playing in his first World Championships, but he has won two silver medals at U21 World Championships.
“I can’t believe what we’ve done,” Alvaro said. “I can’t describe my feelings. Ricardo and Emanuel are gods for us, so it is a tough battle in front of us, but it is good because it is Brazil.”
The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Mazury 2013 is the ninth edition of the tournament. It began on July 1 with the first round of matches in women’s pool play. The men began a day later and the tournament concludes on Sunday with the men’s semifinals at 12.00 and 13.00, the bronze medal match at 17.00 and gold medal match at 18.00, local time.