2019-05-03 11:14:00 CEST
The week in the sands of the world
It’s Friday and that means just one thing: Beach Shorts, your weekly update of all things beach volleyball! So let’s get straight to it!
Kuala Lumpur latest
We’re down to the final few teams in the three-star FIVB World Tour event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the women’s gold and bronze medal matches set for Saturday.
Top seeds, Barbora Hermannová and Marketa Sluková of the Czech Republic, will meet Kerri Walsh Jennings and Brooke Sweat in the final to contest the gold medal after both teams came through their semifinals on Friday.
...back-to-back FINAL it is 🦹🏼♀️💥💪🏻🔥#onemore #multicultiteam #ontheroll #beachvolleyball #cashewnutchicken n.17 #warriorstyle #kungfupanda #viking or #amazon #youchoose @gareth_hubbard 📸 👏🏻
548 Likes, 7 Comments - Markéta Sluková-Nausch 🏐🏖 (@beach_maki) on Instagram: "...back-to-back FINAL it is 🦹🏼♀️💥💪🏻🔥#onemore #multicultiteam #ontheroll #beachvolleyball..."
Barbora and Marketa, last season’s Vienna Major winners and World Tour Finals runners-up beat Spain’s Paula Soria and Maria Carro in straight sets to reach their second successive World Tour final, while three-time Olympic champ Kerri and teammate Brooke saw off the German challenge of Karla Borger and Julia Sude.
In the men’s tournament, the semifinal line-up for Saturday is complete, with one American team guaranteed a medal, as Theo Brunner and Reid Priddy meet John Hyden and Ryan Doherty in the semifinals. In the second semifinal, reigning Olympic champion Alison Cerutti and partner Alvaro Filho of Brazil take on Germany’s Alex Walkenhorst and Sven Winter.
World Champs entry list almost fixed!
The entry deadline for teams aiming to compete in this year’s World Championships closes today (Friday, May 3).
The window for those teams who wish to enter as a wildcard also slams shut, as the line-up for the tournament begins to take shape.
It all means on Monday, May 6, the first entry list will be published by the FIVB – a list that should contain those teams who have qualified via the top-23 world ranking path, as well as those tandems who have qualified through continental qualification.
Wildcards will be discussed by the FIVB in conjunction with Beach Majors Series, and a final confirmed entry list will be confirmed on May 27.
The drawing of lots, which will take place in Hamburg, will take place on June 4.
AVP returns
It’s a busy week stateside, as the American AVP season kicks off at Huntington Beach today (Friday).
As you’d expect it’s a star-studded line-up that will head to the Californian coast to contest the first tour stop of the American national tour in 2019.
A lot tournament wins between all the players at practice today. @ricardobeach1 @seanrosenthal @njlucena
1,773 Likes, 16 Comments - Phil Dalhausser (@phildalhausser) on Instagram: "A lot tournament wins between all the players at practice today. @ricardobeach1 @seanrosenthal..."
In the men’s tournament, top seeds are Taylor Crabb and Jake Gibb, followed by Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena. Among a number of new partners to keep an eye on are Chaim Schalk and Jeremy Casebeer and Sean Rosenthal and Ricardo Santos (no, you’re not dreaming).
April Ross and Alix Klineman head the women’s seeds, followed by a host FIVB World Tour regulars, including Summer Ross and Sara Hughes and Emily Stockman and Kelley Larsen. Meanwhile Canada’s Brandie Wilkerson will team-up with Kelly Claes.
The opening rounds start on May 3 with the semifinals and finals taking place on Sunday.
Social media: Hustle & Spike
One from our own account this week (well, we’re counting down the days to Hamburg...). Here, Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena get the job done in explosive fashion despite the best efforts of Switzerland’s Mirco Gerson and Adrian Heidrich during last season’s Gstaad Major. Enjoy.
💯hustle + 🔥spike = 👀 must watch . . . #beachmajorseries #beachvolley #beschvolleyball #volei #voleibol
2,157 Likes, 7 Comments - Beach Volleyball Major Series (@beachmajorseries) on Instagram: "💯hustle + 🔥spike = 👀 must watch . . . #beachmajorseries #beachvolley #beschvolleyball #volei..."
ICYMI