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Olympic Teams Triumph in Gstaad: Paris 2024 Contenders Shine in Beach Volleyball

The Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Gstaad Elite16 kicked off on Wednesday with a thrilling display of skill and determination. Six teams, all set to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, took to the court in the Swiss Alps, with four of them securing their spots in the main draw.

Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Louisa Lippmann showcased their prowess by defeating Australian Tokyo Olympic silver medalists Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho in a nail-biting qualifier match. The German duo emerged victorious with a 2-0 (21-18, 24-22) score, setting up exciting encounters in Pool A against the Netherlands, Italy, and Brazil.

Spain’s Daniela Álvarez and Tania Moreno, last year’s European Championship silver medalists, also impressed with a dominant 2-0 (21-11, 21-15) win over Americans Kimberly Hildreth and Teegan Van Gunst. The young Spanish pair now face formidable opponents in Pool D, including two Brazilian teams and a Swiss duo.

Polish and Spanish Men’s Teams Advance

Poland’s Michal Bryl and Bartosz Łosiak made a strong statement with their 2-0 (25-23, 21-11) victory over Swiss players Julian Friedli and Yves Haussener. The Poles are now set to compete in Pool D against teams from Germany, Brazil, and Switzerland.

Spanish veterans Adrián Gavira and Pablo Herrera continued their journey with a convincing 2-0 (21-18, 21-11) win over Austrians Laurenc Grössig and Mathias Seiser. Their next challenge in Pool C includes matches against top teams from Norway, the USA, and Germany.

Local Heroes and Tough Battles

The Swiss Alps provided a dramatic backdrop as local team Joana Mäder and Anouk Vergé-Dépré, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists, clinched the last spot in the main draw. Meanwhile, Lithuanians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte’s dreams were dashed in a tie-breaker against Americans Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft.

"We’re thrilled to advance and compete against some of the best in the world," said Laura Ludwig. "Every match is a step closer to Paris 2024."

The next two days promise intense pool play matches, with the men’s Round of 12 scheduled for Friday. The tournament will culminate with the elimination and medal rounds over the weekend.

Editor: Yana Davydiuk