Rio de Janeiro, August 7, 2016 – Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst began their Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games campaign by beating Egypt’s Nada Meawad and Doaa Elghobashy 2-0 (21-12, 21-15) at the Copacabana Beach Arena on Sunday.
Here’s what they said after the match….
Kira Walkenhorst, Germany
“I’m happy with how we did because we didn’t know them and it was our first match and anything can happen. We were nervous before, but we found our rhythm and I think it was a good start.
“We could do a lot of things better, but in the first match of a tournament you have to find your own rhythm and come in to the tournament and get better game to game and for a first match it was really good.
“This morning she had to calm me down as I was a little bit nervous, but I’ve played my first match and now I can relax.
“Everything went really fast. We had a practice at 8.30 then had breakfast, went to the physio and then was ready for the game, so there was no time (to worry).
“My shoulder feels really good. I tried my first hard hit and it worked really well. We have a good medical team around us and it is getting better and better.”
Doaa Elghobashy, Egypt
“I’m very happy and proud to represent Egypt in the Olympic Games. Of course I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but after the first couple of points I got over it and I was ok.
“I am really proud of my hijab and I’ve been wearing my hijab for the last 10 years. The FIVB gave us the right to play with a hijab. Wearing a hijab doesn’t keep me away from anything I love to do and I think beach volleyball was one of the best things to happen to me.
“They are good, but we thought the Olympic teams would be way better than us, but I think we’re ok. With more training and facilities, we could be better than them.”