Kolocova and Kvapilová and Brouwer and Meeuwsen win gold in Pelhrimov

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The medalists pose for the cameras on the podium in Pelhrimov

Pushed by thousands of fans that filled the stands of the indoor courts in Pelhrimov, Czech Republic stars Kristyna Kolocova and Michala Kvapilová claimed the gold medal of the 2018 CEV Beach Volleyball European Masters on Sunday. Olympic bronze medalists Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen of the Netherlands topped the podium in the men’s tournament.

Playing together since 2016, Kolocova and Kvapilová fed from the fans energy to prevail over Latvian young qualifiers Tina Graudina, 19, and Anastasija Kravcenoka, 20, in straight sets (21-8, 23-21) to the delight of the local supporters.

CEV Beach Volleyball on Twitter

Women's gold for 🇨🇿 Czech Republic's Kristyna Kolocova and Michala Kvapilová at the CEV #BeachVolleyball #EuroBeachVolley Masters in Pelhrimov! @CzechVolleyball @tynamisa https://t.co/VmygnL8rJD

“We were trying to stay calm and concentrated on our job in that incredible atmosphere. We were aware of the crowd, but we managed to play our game,” Kolocova said after the match. “I am very happy that this tournament took place and so many world-level stars came to play at the Beachwell.”

Finland’s Taru Lahti-Liukkonen and Anniina Parkkinen claimed the final spot in the podium as they defeated Germany’s Sandra Ittlinger and Kim Behrens in two sets (21-19, 21-17) in the bronze medal match.

What a DAY!!!! 🎉👏Won our very first European Masters medal, it was in front of the home crowd and it is THE GOLD one😍 Thank you all again!!! And good night 😴 @misakvapi @andreatomatis78 @cevolleyball @beachwell_czech #beachvolleyball #winners #medal #gold #happy #tired #excited

509 Likes, 10 Comments - Kristyna 🏐K I K I 👙Kolocova (@kristyna.kiki) on Instagram: "What a DAY!!!! 🎉👏Won our very first European Masters medal, it was in front of the home crowd and..."

In the men’s tournament, the three teams that reached the podium in the four-star World Tour event last week in The Hague, the Netherlands, were among the top three in Pelhrimov again, but in different positions.

The 2013 World champs Brouwer/Meeuwsen, who had to settle for bronze last week, bounced back from a defeat in their first match in the tournament and climbed to the top of the podium following a hard-fought 2-0 (24-22, 22-20) over Poland’s Piotr Kantor and Bartosz Losiak. The Polish has to settle with a silver medal around their necks for the second time in eight days.

“That was not an easy tournament. We played a lot of tie-breaks,” Brouwer said. "But we are excited and happy, because there really were many of the world's top teams here.”

CEV Beach Volleyball on Twitter

Men's gold for 🇳🇱 Dutchmen Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen at the CEV #BeachVolleyball #EuroBeachVolley Masters in Pelhrimov! @BrouwerMeeuwsen @volleybalnl https://t.co/TLJ7YBU3le

The Hague winners Martins Plavins and Edgars Tocs of Latvia prevailed over Austrian 2017 World Championships silver medalists Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst to win the bronze medal with a straight-set win (21-14, 21-19) after they started their campaign in Pelhrimov in the qualification tournament.

“We played 14 matches in the last ten days and we are very tired,” Plavins said. “We could not get out of our beds in the morning. That is why we played so badly in the semifinal. But we warmed up for the last match and we won a medal!”

Goldddddddd!! 😀🥇💪🏼 #BeachBoys

954 Likes, 22 Comments - Brouwer/Meeuwsen (@brouwermeeuwsen) on Instagram: "Goldddddddd!! 😀🥇💪🏼 #BeachBoys"

Our Fort Lauderdale Major will be the next stop for most of the teams that competed in the European Masters. Remember to check out our tournament website for ticket and hospitality information.