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Vienna . The stadium, held in blue this year, draws attention from afar: until Sunday, the Viennese Danube island around the Schnellbahn bridges and U6 is again the beach volleyball field. On Tuesday already, the four sidecourts applauded – that was the qualification – on the vast area of 49,000 m2 that many volunteers were living. When the main competition starts today, 800 employees will take care of the smooth running of the tournament.
After the brilliant premiere of the World Cup last year, the tournament will stop in the capital this year as part of the big series. "We will do our best to revive things, like last year," said event organizer, Hannes Jagerhofer, who carried out his project on clay in Klagenfurt and has successfully transferred to the federal capital. With a traditionally free entry (first come, first served), up to 100,000 visitors are expected during the five days of the competition, and fans can look forward to quality sports as well. to a comprehensive support program (see page 8). The stifling heat of summer made Jagerhofer chatter after the race of the previous year. "I'm not going to complain about the weather, but I'm happy, at the World Cup it was even warmer at 38 ° C, I bought a sauna thermometer," joked the 56-year-old player
The tournament budget, to be held in Vienna until 2020, raises to seven million euros. For men and women, 32 teams play each for a total of 515,000 euros in prize money, the latter being the prelude to the central court today (A1 TV transmits all live matches for the first time). Compared to the World Cup, the stadium welcomes 8,000 spectators instead of 10,000, the steeper stands and the narrower clay court still guarantee a real cauldron.
13 national teams face each other in Vienna, including qualifying, the highest hopes rest on the world vice champion Clemens Doppler / Alexander Horst, who starts the tournament on Thursday. The remembrance of the World Cup at home last year is a particular motivation for the veteran. "The joy is great, of course, the pressure has not decreased," said Horst and put the direction: "With the audience in the back, we want to give the best again, so he can go far. "
Doppler / Horst yet to be desired, the championship of Europe in the Netherlands finished the duet in 17th place, as the year before, they now want to play in front of the crowd at the tip of the form. "It's really an advantage for us, it's good for us," Horst said. However, the mode with only two group games played since this year on the World Tour also means that we will be eliminated at Center Court
The favorites are the Norwegians Anders Mol / Christian Sörum, who play in the Championship from Europe and the dress rehearsal in Gstaad triumphed. The two young stars have already shown their composure during the Doppler / Horst photoshoot on the Riesenrad. "Of course, we also dream of a medal, we are currently on a wave, and we want to keep our pace," said Sörum, 22.
Katharina Schützenhöfer joins Lena Plesiutschnig after the resignation of Stefanie Schwaiger. In May, the duo won in Turkey for the first time a three-star tournament on the World Tour and is considered the most promising national team of the women's competition. Plesiutschnig said: "We are happy to play here and enjoy this atmosphere."
("Die Presse", Print version, 01.08.2018)
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