International beach volleyball stars Markéta Sluková and Barbora Hermannová have won events in the Czech Tour numerous times in their careers, but their victory this weekend in Litoměřice carried a special feeling for the Olympians.
The event that opened the national season in the Northwest region of the country was the first professional beach volleyball tournament of this level held after the coronavirus pandemic interrupted all sports activities in Europe in March and hopefully marked the restart of the sport in the world.
The 2018 Vienna Major winners, Sluková and Hermannová confirmed their status and topped the podium in the national season opener with a three-set (22-24, 21-12, 15-10) triumph over World Tour regulars Michala Kvapilová and Michaela Kubícková. Sára Stochlová and Martina Maixnerová finished third.
“We hadn’t played in a tournament in eight months (since the Olympic qualification tournament, in September) and to get that match rhythm back, it’s not so simple,” Maki commented. “I’m glad the final matches were difficult and demanded a lot from us. I’m grateful for every match and every set we played because they will help our preparation in the long run.”
The men’s season of the Czech Tour started in Strahov and had the victory of Jan Hadrava and Donovan Dzavoronok, who ousted Jiri Sedlák and Patrik Manas in the final. The top Czech team competing at the World Tour couldn't appear in the event as Ondrej Perusic is currenlty injured. With his absence, David Schweiner joined forces with Adam Stocek and finished third.
The Czech Tour continues next week with the women competing in Strahov and the men playing in Prague.
