2017 CEV U18 BVEC: "Victory is our only aim"
The first matches of the Beach Volleyball European Championship men's group stage took place in Kazan.
Pool A
Chukhnenkov/Arkhipov – Nedergaard/Dahl: 2-0 (21-11, 21-14)
Aerts/de Groot – Goldstein/Hadar: 2-0 (21-14, 21-9)
At the men's competition is was the Russian pair, who went out on the sand to beat the Dutch players in the 36 minutes game. Their rivals at the qualification round finished the match even faster – in 27 minutes. In the second set the Dutch competitors gained an upper hand over the Israelis.
"The game is wonderful and amusing. We had a chance to test the court in real conditions. The game was tough and the rivals were good, but we were better. The conditions here are just perfect. Perhaps, it's the best tournament I've ever participated in. Everything is at the highest level. I play beach volleyball for 7 years. I started with the classic volleyball, but my coach is a prize holder of the Russian Beach Volleyball Championship, so the choice was pretty much obvious, and I don't regret it. Our aim is to show our best. We can do it if we try hard enough," told the Russian contestants after the victorious game.
Pool B
Tournier/Nicole - Shustrov/Gusev: 0-2 (19-21, 10-21)
Klavins/Jansons - Åhman/Andersson: 0-2 (15-21, 19-21)
Pavel Shustrov and Pavel Shustrov secured the second victory for team Russia after clawing the first set by a score of 21-19, and 21-10 in the second set.
Pool C
Lorentz/Schneider - Shekunov/Ermotik: 0-2 (17:21, 12:21)
Poznanski/Kruk - Peeters/Van de Velde: 2-0 (21:7, 21:10)
The Russian pair of Denis Shekunov and Timur Ermotik featured a similiar scenario. They left no chance for the Germants in the second set.
"Victory is our only way at the tournament," told the Russian players.
Pool D
Pérez Barredo/Piris - Savvides/Siapanis: 0-2 (14:21, 12:21)
Davyskiba/Ratutski - Meius/Tammearu M.: 2-0 (22:20, 21:19)
Pool E
Pedrosa/H. Campos - Mazuras/Makaras: 2-0 (21:8, 21:10)
Bello, J./Bello, F. - Ringøen/Brekke: 2-0 (21:18, 21:14)
Pool F
Bottolo/Di Silvestre A - Hajós/Stréli: (17:21, 12:21)
Sedlak/Manas - Vukmirovic/Vujovic: 2-1 (21:9, 18:21, 15:1)
Pool G
Broch/Gysin - Csiszar/Popa: 2-0 (21:9, 21:10)
Reiter T./Leitner L. - Keskinen/Rahko: 2-0 (21:9, 21:7)
Pool H
Matvieiev/Pavliuk - Stipanovic/Delic: 2:0 (21:10, 21:10)
Ozdemir/Cebeci - Udrih/Mozic: 1:2 (22:20, 20:22, 13:15)
The men's group stage will last until August 25, the play off starts on August 26.