Entry lists confirmed in run-up to inaugural Lucerne Open

Lucerne, Switzerland, April 22, 2015 - The national federation entry lists for the inaugural edition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Lucerne Open 2015 have been confirmed with 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour champions Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins of Latvia to feature prominently in the men’s competition, while Katrin Holtwick and Ilka Semmler of Germany will be among the favourites in the women’s event.

Men’s entries by country

Women’s entries by country

From May 12-17, Lucerne is set to provide the perfect setting for the second Open event on the 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour calendar. The city of Lucerne is no stranger to beach volleyball and hosted the first Swiss beach volleyball championships in 1992 – a pioneering event at a time when this now Olympic discipline was still an emerging sport. The city also welcomed an event on the 2008 European Beach Volleyball Tour, and fans can look forward to an electric atmosphere at the venue in May.

Swiss Volley President Christoph Stern said: "Beach volleyball has evolved into an attractive top-class sport that delights athletes and fans alike, and the beautiful city of Lucerne has become a major tourism destination, attracting guests from all over the globe.

"I am confident that this lakeside city provides the perfect setting for one of the leading tournaments worldwide - the new FIVB Lucerne Open. And in 2016, we can look forward to the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships. We are excited that Lucerne is firmly back on the beach volleyball map!"

Pro Beach Volleyball Luzern President Marcel Bourquin believes the event will provide an unforgettable beach volleyball experience to the many fans who are expected on the shores of Lake Lucerne and calls on all to "Enjoy the game!" when the world's top beach volleyball athletes descend on the city.

Related information:
Lucerne Open event page