Seamless transition between Gstaad's home tournament and EM

Duo of the Swiss beach with ambitions: Joana Heidrich / Anouk Vergé missed -Dépré fourth of the tournament at home in Gstaad (photo: KEYSTONE / ANTHONY ANEX)

(nda)

For the first time since 2001, when the Both sexes participate in the tournament's oldest tournament, the women's final will be held (Sunday) on the occasion of five-star after men's (Saturday) held. Although this is also related to the European Championships, where the first men's matches will be held on Sunday, it also meets the wishes of the organizers.

With Nina Betschart / Tanja Hüberli and Joana Heidrich / Anouk Vergé-Dépré Switzerland two aces in the heat. Both duos have established themselves in the wider world class and are, although they have fallen back into the world rankings at positions 13 and 15, at any time to a higher ranking.

The two best Swiss teams have made this season already on the World Tour events podium of the second highest category (four stars). Betschart / Hüberli were ranked in the first match of the season in The Hague in third place, Heidrich / Vergé-Dépré had defeated Itapema in Brazil only in the final.

Durchgezogene Zwischenbilanz

But to sneak in Heidrich / Vergé-Dépré There are also disappointments, like the 25th place of the only five-star event in Fort Lauderdale in the United States in March. That is why Philippe Saxer, director of beach volleyball at Swiss Volley, draws a "mixed" interim balance of the current season.

After the excellent results of the first season, the expectations of Heidrich / Vergé-Dépré Saxer. "Now, it turns out that last year was not a matter of course, but once you have results, you want to confirm them, of course." In the long-term context At the end of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the duo is on the way.

Gstaad, the best beach volleyball player in the world, Heidrich / Vergé-Dépré, have better memories than their compatriots. 26-year-old Zurich athlete and half-year-old benjoin have missed the first Swiss podium since 2012 (3rd place by Nadine Zumkehr / Simone Kuhn).

Betschart / Hüberli have come so far two appearances spouses in the Bernese Oberland never beyond the sixteenth final (and 17th final rank) beyond.A year ago, they had shone in the week before Gstaad with a 3rd place in Croatia. something was lacking in freshness.This year, like Heidrich / Vergé-Dépré, they stopped before their appearance at home

New surprises in duet

The hopes of men are based on the brother of Mirco Gerson and Joana Heidrich, Adrian. The newly formed duo was third on the podium at Lucerne's most lucrative home event (three-star) and was the last to qualify at each tournament. "If they can do it, they can beat any team", Saxer is looking forward to the positive development of the team.

Nico Beeler / Marco Krattiger will not start with the number 1 Swiss Volley. Krattiger is still recovering from a thigh injury this week, Beeler plays in Gstaad with Quentin Métral. In total, six Swiss duos are eligible for the main tournament. In qualifying, Tuesday, others can make the jump to the main draw.