Beach Shorts: The week in the sands of the world

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The city of Baden hosted the European Continental Cup last week and now stages the World Tour (Photocredit: CEV)

One more week has gone, and in a month's time we’ll already know who the winners of the 2018 Swatch Major Gstaad are! Until there, though, there’s a lot going on in the beach volleyball world, but don’t worry, we got you covered! This week you’ll know more about the World Tour, National Tours in Europe, the official song of the European Championships and Alexander Brouwer’s unique serving technique.

Take a few minutes off and here’s everything you need to know:

World Tour in Austria and China

It’s a double action week in the World Tour with both Austria and China hosting events from June 13-17. In the European country, the town of Baden stages a one-star tournament with 78 teams (39 men and 39 women) from 27 countries, including the silver medalists of the 2017 World Championships Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst of Austria. In Nanjing, 33 women’s teams from 19 nations will compete for the medals in the two-star tournament, the fourth held in China this year.

Erster Auftritt der Brasis in Baden seit...? Wer weiß es? #bvbaden18 #bvbaden #BadenOpen18 #Beachvolleyball #beachvolleyballhautnah #CEV #EuroBeachVolley #BeachWorldTour #FIVB #Baden #SummerintheCity #lifeisgood #Summer #Party #FunandAction

30 Likes, 1 Comments - Beachvolleyball Baden (@beachvolleyball.baden) on Instagram: "Erster Auftritt der Brasis in Baden seit...? Wer weiß es? #bvbaden18 #bvbaden #BadenOpen18..."

German and Dutch National Tours

The National Tours remain at full pace in Europe, with Germany and the Netherlands organizing more events this week. In Germany, the city of Dresden host the second tournament of the season, which will feature women’s teams of Victoria Bieneck/Isabel Schneider and Karla Borger/Margareta Kozuch. In the Netherlands, action will take place in Eindhoven as the city stages the sixth event of the year and Belgian wildcards Dries Koekelkoren and Tom van Walle are among the favorites.

Belgians Koekelkoren and van Walle will content for medals in Eindhoven (Photocredit: FIVB)

Dutch and Italians in the Euro opener

The official schedules of the 2018 European Championships have been released and the opening match will feature a home team and an Italian tandem as the Netherlands’ Dirk Boehlé and Steven van de Velde will face Marco Caminati and Enrico Rossi on July 15 in Apeldoorn. The tournament will reunite 32 teams in each gender and will end on July 22.

The competition schedule is out! Dirk Boehlé and Steven van de Velde play the opening match of #EuroBeachVolley on 15 July in Apeldoorn! 👊 #beachvolleyball #beachvolley #Apeldoorn #volleybal #beach #beachvolleybal

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Social Media: Brouwer’s Fingerspin Jump Serve

Okay, this isn’t as cool as a serve as last week’s, but the Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer is developing a new and intriguing serving technique. Prepare for it, world! And remember, you saw it here first!

Trickshot Tuesday!🤹🏼‍♂️ Challenge to all you playahs out there: "Fingerspin Jump Serve"🏐 * * * * #givesyouwings #Plantina #Dela #VoorElkaar #beachvolleyball #beachvolley #volley #volleyball #voleibol #volei #fingerspinserve #jumpserve

999 Likes, 38 Comments - Alexander Brouwer (@alexander_brouwer) on Instagram: "Trickshot Tuesday!🤹🏼‍♂️ Challenge to all you playahs out there: "Fingerspin Jump Serve"🏐 * * * *..."

Plus, if you didn't know, the soccer World Cup also kicked off, and reigning Olympic and World beach volleyball champ Laura Ludwig is getting into the spirit of things! 

I've got a good belly feeling ☺️ Good luck @diemannschaft_dfb #titelverteidigung #theperfectmatch @adidas_de @dfb_team 📸 by @thomaskettner_official

3,284 Likes, 13 Comments - Laura Ludwig (@lauraludwig86) on Instagram: "I've got a good belly feeling ☺️ Good luck @diemannschaft_dfb #titelverteidigung #theperfectmatch..."

In case you missed it

Check Jason Lochhead’s journey as a beach volleyball coach

Brazilians win their first-ever gold in the World Tour

Austrians enjoy back-to-back triumphs in their National Tour

See you next week, guys!