Huber & Seidl: Strong comeback with silver in Thailand!

Huber & Seidl: Strong comeback with silver in Thailand!

In an exciting comeback after a year-long break, Austrian beach volleyball players Alexander Huber and Robin Seidl were defeated at the international tournament in Songkhla, Thailand. In the final they lost to the Israeli duo Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov 0:2 (-13, -18). Despite physical complaints, including stomach pain, Huber performed well and characterized the semifinals as very challenging. Seidl, on the other hand, was beaming about the returning medal, which was “awesome” for him and Huber after the long parting ways. This tournament marked the pair's first competition together in a long time and offered a promising perspective for the future of the sport.

In addition, other Austrian teams also ventured onto the international stage. Julian Hörl and Moritz Pristauz reached the intermediate round of the elite tournament in Squarema, Brazil, after losing in the qualifying match to Paul Pascariuc and Laurenc Grössig. Thanks to a victory, they were still able to pursue their goal. Other teams, such as Timo Hammarberg and Tim Berger, failed to qualify. In addition, the world number eight Dorina and Ronja Klinger had to cancel due to illness, while Christoph Dressler and Philipp Waller used their trip to Vienna for a training block.

European Beach Volleyball Championships in Vienna

While the athletes are active in the world of beach volleyball, the European Beach Volleyball Championships are just around the corner. This takes place from Wednesday to Sunday in Vienna and attracts thousands of fans with a center court on the Danube Island. Austria's hopes rest on a total of eight duos, but they are not among the top favorites. However, the specific support of the home audience could be crucial to unleash additional forces.

Robin Seidl and Moritz Pristauz are aiming to improve on their previous performance, which included bronze and two top ten placements. Seidl emphasizes how important the support of the home audience is for one's own performance. Their goal is a top ten finish to qualify for the World Championships in October in Mexico. At the same time, Alexander Horst and Julian Hörl, as the best seeded Austrian duo, have excellent chances of winning a medal, while the Klinger Sisters, seeded number eight, can also hope for positive results in the women's competition. Ronja Klinger was optimistic about the preparation and form of her duo.

The European Beach Volleyball Championship has a rich history dating back to 1994. In these more than 30 years, the competitions have developed into significant events in the sporting world. The most recent championship took place in Vienna in 2023, where Switzerland won gold and Germany won bronze. The event provides a platform for athletes to compete internationally and discover new talent, while the tradition of the sport lives on.