Lucerne, Switzerland, May 17, 2015 - Swiss youngster Nico Beeler make the semis at his first-ever FIVB World Tour in front of his friends and family, even though big exams await him at university.
The first time is always special - the first day at school, the first kiss, and even more the first-ever FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour tournament - one who knows it best is Swiss youngster Nico Beeler.
The 21-years-old has been playing at his first-ever World Tour event this week – and this at a very special location. “I’m from Rapperswil, but study here at the University of Lucerne; that’s the reason why it’s like playing at home for me – even more since a lot of my friends from university come to watch me play,” Beeler explains and adds: “It’s such an amazing feeling to have the opportunity to make my international debut at ‘home’. That’s just priceless.”
And the Swiss youngster is making an unbelievable debut: Beeler and his teammate Alexei Strasser made the semis in their first-ever tournament as team. “It’s unbelievable. We knew that we are able to play very well – but we had never imagined defeating teams like Herrera-Gavira, one of Europe’s best teams,” Beeler tells.
The 21-years-old is sure that the chemistry is the key to success. “We are ready to give everything – and have improved over the last few games. No doubt, we still need more experience as team, but such a result at our first-ever tournament as team is just great –and makes us optimistic.”
Despite the big success at his FIVB World Tour debut, Beeler’s start into his professional Beach Volleyball career hasn’t been an easy – but the reason why has nothing to do with Beach Volleyball. “I’m still studying at the university here in Lucerne – and I’ll have big exams after the tournament,” Beeler says.
Beeler’s final exams are also the reason why the team won’t go to the Moscow Grand Slam in about ten days. “Although I really love to play Beach Volleyball, I don’t want to neglect my studies.”
Beeler knows that his decision to study at the same time has an impact on his family and friends. “To be honest, sometimes it’s quite difficult to do my studies and train at the same time – I’m just glad that my friends and family understand and support me.”
The Swiss youngster is eager to give his beloved ones something back: “Some of my friends from university have never seen me playing. Now they have the chance to see why I love Beach Volleyball – and why I am willing to make sacrifices for my dream of a professional Beach Volleyball career.”
Nevertheless, the Swiss youngster already knows what he’s going to do after his Beach Volleyball career: he wants to become a teacher. “I just love to work with kids and I want to give something back. I believe that children are our future.”
That’s the reason why Beeler is sure that he, as Beach Volleyball player, has a big responsibility. “It’s great to be a good example to kids and to know that you can make them happy when you’re giving your very best – now I want to go for gold for them.” First of all, however, Beeler and his teammate Alexei Strasser have to play Ranghieri/Caminati in the semis at 12 o’clock to clinch a berth in the gold medal game.