FIVB Beach Volleyball World Champs 2017 - Vienna - 02.08.2017

At women's side 2015 World Champions Brazilian Agatha and her young partner Duda was eliminated by Czech girls Slukova-Hermanova at round of 32.

Set scores are 21-16, 19-21, 16-14.

So the 2015 World Champs Agatha and Barbara was both eliminated at Round of 32 at World Champs 2017.

Here is the last point of the game ;

There is a USA derby at Round of 32 at women's side between Ross-Fendrick and Branagh-Day.

Rio 2016 bronze medal winner April Ross and her partner Lauren Fendrick won the match by 2-1 (10-21, 21-18, 15-11)

By the Way ;

The painter Peter Spens is painting the centre court atmosphere at FIVB World Champs 2017. He already had two beach volley paintings from each London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic games.

Did you see this toilet designs with beach volleyball photos ?

see you tomorrow ,

photos by me ;

2016 FIVB WORLD TOUR WOMEN'S SEASON AWARDS (THROWBACK PHOTOS BY ME)

Laura Ludwig is attacking during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Laura Ludwig (GER) was awarded as the most outstanding player for 2016 FIVB World Tour beach volleyball season. She is also awarded as sportswoman of the year.

The other awards at women's side are ;


Best Setter – Larissa Franca, Brazil

Larissa Franca is setting during the semi final game at Rio 2016

Best Hitter – Kerri Walsh Jennings, United States

Kerri Walsh during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Best Server – April Ross, United States

April Ross is serving the during the bronze medal match of Rio 2016 

Best Rookie – Eduarda Lisboa, Brazil
Best Blocker – Kira Walkenhorst, Germany
Best Offensive Player – Larissa Franca, Brazil

Larissa Franca is attacking against Kira Walkenhorst during the semi final game of Rio 2016

Best Defensive Player – Heather Bansley, Canada
Most Improved Player – Joana Heidrich, Switzerland
Most Inspirational Player– Nadine Zumkehr, Switzerland

all photos by me ;

Agatha-Barbara Upset Walsh-Ross To Go Into Olympic Final

Agatha-Barbara (BRA) won over Walsh-Ross (USA) a semi final game in Rio 2016 Olmypic Games by 2-0 (22-20, 21-18) to go into final.

Three times Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh lost a game for the first time in her olympic history.

Agatha-Barabara will play against German duo Ludwig-Walkenhorst in the final.

Here is my photos from the game ;

Semi-Final Is A Birthday Gift For Kerri Walsh at Rio 2016 - 14.08.2016

Three times olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh and her partner April Ross won over Bawden-Clancy of Australia 2-0 (21-14, 21-16) at a quarter final game at Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

End of the game video ;

                                         

At the same time during the match Kerri Walsh turn into 38 years old(15.08.1978). There was a birthday celebration for Kerri Walsh at the arena after the game.

By the way after the game I met with Kerri Pottharst (AUS) outside the arena. She was the first olympic medalist of beach volleyball at olympic games with her partner Natalie Cook. She took bronze medal at 1996 Atlanta, and the girls took gold four years later at Sydney 2000 Olympic Game.

photos and videos by me ;

Kerri Walsh - April Ross won at Round of 16 - 12.08.2016 - Rio 2016

Three times olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh and her partner 2012 London Olympic Games silver medalist April Ross continue their winning streak in Rio 2016.

American duo won over Italians Marta Menegatti and her last minute partner Laura Giombini by 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) to made quarter finals.

At Men's side there was an Italian derby at round of 16 . Nicolai-Lupo won over their compatriots Ranghieri-Carambula 2-0. (21-12, 23-21)

Watch a video of a great rally close to the end of the game ;

Wanna see sky ball of Carambula? Just one of them at this game;

                 By the way painter Peter Spens's artwork at beach volley arena by 12.08.2016

 Also I saw one of the legend American beach volleyball player of all time Sinjin Smith after the games ;

  photos and videos by me ;

Gstaad Major Was Over

FIVB Gstaad Major event has been finished last weekend.It was a great organisation and I think every player love to play in this unique venue which is surrounded by breathtaking Swiss Alps.

The gold medals and champions cowbells belonged Brazil just like last years event.

At women's final Larissa/Talita from Brasil beated Walsh/Ross (USA) 2-0  (21-18, 21-14) to take gold medal.

At men's side also Brazilian team Pedro/Evandro won over USA's Dalhausser/Lucena 2-0 (24-22, 21-16) at the final to be the champions of Gstaad Major.

For this lovely tournament please watch this video at the below , I hope I will be there next year.

Also for top 5 moments of Gstaad Major 2016 you can watch this video ;

For more information about Gstaad Major , pleas click here ;

photo source FIVB , video source : https://swatchmajorseries.com

Olympians Sweep Gold At AVP San Francisco Open

AVP San Francisco Open 2016

U.S. Olympic beach volleyball teams Kerri Walsh/April Ross and Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson swept gold at the 2016 AVP San Francisco Open.

AVP San Francisco Open 2016 winners Jake Gibb (left) and Casey Patterson (right) 

Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson who beated John Mayer/Stafford Slick 2-1 (16-21, 21-17, 15-13) at men's semi final, also won over Taylor Crab/Trevor Crab 2-1 (18-21, 21-15, 15-10) in the final to be crowned as AVP San Francisco Open 2016 champions.

AVP San Francisco Open 2016 winners April Ross (left) and Kerri Walsh (right)

Kerri Walsh and April Ross won the women's final 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) to take gold over Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes.

Kerri Walsh is blocking during the women's final  

April Ross is stretching during the 2016 AVP San Francisco Open

AVP 2016 Tour will continue with Manhattan Beach Open on 14-17 of July.

photo source: avp.com

Kerri Walsh / April Ross and Phil Dalhausser / Nick Lucena crowned the champs of AVP New York City Open 2016

General view at AVP New York City Open 2016 

Avp New York City Open 2016 event which was held in Manhatton's Hudson River Park - Pier 25-26 on 16-19 th of June, concluded with the victory of U.S. olympic beach volley teams.

Phil Dalhausser is serving during AVP New York City Open 2016

At men's final Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena beated Sean Rosenthal and Jeremy Casebeer in two sets, 21-19, 21-12 and won AVP New York City Open 2016 tittle.

Dalhausser and Lucena with their AVP New York City Open 2016 title

The duo also played a great event and won gold medal at FIVB Hamburg Major Series during 07-12 th of June.

At women's final Kerri Walsh and April Ross took down Summer Ross and Lane Carico by 2-0 (21-16, 21-18).

Kerri Walsh and April Ross with their AVP New York City Open 2016 title (photo: Tom Hilton)

With this result Kerri Walsh took her 76 th AVP title while April Ross took her 26th AVP title a day before her 32. birthday. (April Ross: 20.06.1982)

Champagne time for Kerri Walsh and April Ross at the end of AVP New York City Open 2016 

For the other results and informations about AVP New York City Open please click here ;

photo source ; instagram : avpbeach

Same final but different winner @ Moscow Grand Slam, close to Rio 2016 / Moskova Grand Slam’ inde final aynı , kazanan farklı - Rio 2016 öncesi son virajlar

2012 was the first year that I went to FIVB Moscow Grand Slam just before the London Olympic Games. In that year the venue was situated at Victory Park and the podium placements was like that in each gender ;

Mens' side ;

1- Alison / Emanuel (BRA)

2- Nummerdor / Schuil / (NED)  

3- Ricardo / Cunha (BRA)

4- Brink / Reckermann  (GER)

FIVB Moscow Grand Slam 2012 Mens' Podium photo by Mert Erkılavuz

                          

Women' side ;

1-   Xue / Zhang Zi (CHN)

2-   May-Treanor / Walsh (USA)

3-   Larissa / Juliana (BRA)

4-   Talita / Antonelli (BRA)

FIVB Moscow Grand Slam 2012 Womens' Podium photo by Mert Erkılavuz

                          

Some of my photos that I took at FIVB Moscow Grand Slam 2012 are in the below,

Larissa Franca receiving photo by Mert Erkılavuz

Emanuel Rego was celebrating victory after gold medal point photo by Mert Erkılavuz

                                   

Kerri Walsh and Misty-May Treanor after a side court win photo by Mert Erkılavuz

                                       

If we look both men and women results at London 2012 Olympic Games , we can say  that 2012 Moscow Grand Slam had gave us an idea about podium placements of Olympic Games.

Although I have been twice more at Moscow Grand Slam (2014 & 2015) , I couldn't go this year.

This years mens final at Moscow Grand Slam 2016 was exactly the same final with last years World Championships in Netherlands that I went. First set goes to Nummerdor/Varenhorst (NED) and the second one goes to Alison / Bruno (BRA) such as WC2015, but this time the winner was Nummerdor / Varenhorst with a 17-15 tie-break from a 11-14 comeback.

Polands Losiak/Kantor won over USA's Gibb/Patterson by 2-1 (19-21, 22-20, 15-12) for bronze medal.

I can remind early this year Polands Losiak/Kantor won the Rio Grand Slam 2016 at March and they are very well-formed and now the duo was the number one Polish team at Olympic rankings.

For the womens' final all I can say is my favourite one. Kerri Walsh / April Ross (USA) won over  Larissa Franca / Talita Antunes (BRA) by 2-0 (22-20, 21-17). I wish to see the same final at Rio 2016 at womens side.

April Ross & Kerri Walsh after final at Moscow Grand Slam 2016

Another question in my mind is if Brazilian womens teams could win a gold medal again in their homesands or not at Olympic Games in Rio 2016 after 20 years. 

The last FIVB event before 13 th of June deadline for the olympic rankings will be The Hamburg Major event between the dates 07-12 of June.

Including two Brazilian teams the first 17 teams which will go to Olympic Games will be clear on 13th of June , the other 7 teams will be cleared after Continental Cups and FIVB World Continental Cup Olympic Qualification in Sochi on June 06-10th.

For the update Olympic Rankings for mens and womens side you can click genders.

Before the Olympic Games the last important event for point for European teams will be held in Switzerland , CEV European Championship Final 2016 at Biel / Bienne on 01-05 th of June. I will be there at 04-05 of June for the finals . 

Good luck for all teams and especially for our team Giginoğlu / Göğtepe (TUR), 

See you around,  

video and Kerri / April photo source FIVB, other photos copyrights Mert Erkılavuz



İlk kez 2012 yılında Londra Olimpiyatları öncesinde gitmiştim Moskova’daki Grand Slam e. Zafer Parkı’nda oynanan o yılki turnuvada erkeklerde ve kadınlarda ilk dörde giren takımlar şu sekilde oluşmuştu ;

Erkekler ;

1- Alison / Emanuel (BRA)

2- Nummerdor / Schuil / (NED) 

3- Ricardo / Cunha (BRA)

4- Brink / Reckermann  (GER)

FIVB Moskova Grand Slam 2012 Erkekler Podyum 

Bayanlar ;

1-   Xue / Zhang Zi (CHN)

2-   May-Treanor / Walsh (USA)

3-   Larissa / Juliana (BRA)

4-   Talita / Antonelli (BRA)

FIVB Moskova Grand Slam 2012 Kadınlar Podyum 

                       

FIVB 2012 Moskova Grand Slam’ inde cektiğim birkaç fotoğrafı da yazıma ekliyorum ;

                                
                                   

                                    

Daha sonradan Londra 2012 Olimpiyatları’ndaki kadın ve erkek sonuçlarına bakıcak olursak o zamanki turnuvanın Olimpiyat dereceleri için fikir verdiğini söyleyebiliriz.

2014 ve 2015 yıllarında iki kere daha bulunma sansı yakaladığım Moskova Grand Slam’ini bu sene ne yazık ki yerinde izleme sansım olmadı.

Gecen hafta sonu finalleri oynanan FIVB Moskova Grand Slam 2016’ nın erkekler finali ilginç bir rövanşa sahne oldu.

2015yazında Hollanda ‘ da düzenlenen Dünya Şampiyonası erkekler finalinde karşılaşan Brezilyalı Alison/Bruno ve Hollandalı Nummerdor/ Varenhorst ikilileri Moskova’da finalde yine sahnedeydiler. Tıpkı Dünya Şampiyonası’nda olduğu gibi ilk set Hollandalıların ikinci set Brezilyalıların oldu. Tie-break setinde ise 11-14 geriden gelerek 17-15 ile kazanan bu kez Hollandalı Nummerdor / Varenhorst  ikilisi oldu.

Üçüncülük maçında ise Amerikalı Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson ikilisini 2-1 (19-21, 22-20, 15-12) ile gecen Polonyalı Losiak / Kantor ekibi Moskova’da bronz madalyanın sahibi oldu.

Losiak-Kantor ‘un 2015 yazı itibariyle cok iyi bir çıkış yakalayarak bu sene geçtiğimiz Mart ayında Rio’da düzenlenen Grand Slam’in şampiyonları olduğunu ve su anda olimpiyat sıralamasında Polonya’nın birinci takımı olduğunu hatırlatalım. 

Bayanlar finali ise benim Rio 2016 Olimpiyat oyunları için arzuladığım finale sahne oldu diyebiliriz. Ezeli rakipler Walsh/Ross (USA) ve Larissa / Talita (BRA) finalinde gülen taraf 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) ile Amerikalı Walsh/Ross oldu.

April Ross & Kerri Walsh  Moskova Grand Slam 2016

Bakalım Rio 2016 Olimpiyat oyunları finalinde de bayanlarda Brezilya – Amerika finali izleyebilecek miyiz?

Bir başka soru da 1996 Atlanta Oyunları’nda bayanlarda kazanan Brezilya 20 sene sonra kendi evi Rio’da tekrar altın madalyaya ulaşabilecek mi?

İki Brezilya Takımı ile birlikte Olimpiyatlara dünya sıralamasından gidecek 17 takımın belli olacağı 13 Haziran tarihinden önce kalan tek FIVB Dünya Turu ayağı 07-12 tarihleri arasında oynanacak Hamburg Grand Slam’i olacak.

Rio 2016 olimpiyat oyunlarına gidecek kalan 7 ser takım ise kıta elemeleri finalleri ve Dünya kıtalar arası elemeleri sonunda belli olacak.

Erkeklerde ve bayanlarda olimpiyat sıralamasının son durumu için linklere tıklayabilrsiniz.

Hamburg Major dan başka olimpiyatlar öncesi Avrupa takımlarının son puan alabileceği turnuva ise 2016 Avrupa Şampiyonası finali İsviçre’ nin Biel/Bienne şehrinde 01-05 Haziran arasında oynanacak. 4-5 Haziran hafta sonu turnuvanın finalleri için ben de orda olacağim şimdiden tüm takımlara ve özellikle de milli takımımız Volkan / Murat ikilisine turnuvada başarılar diliyorum.

video ve Kerri / April fotograf kaynak FIVB, diğer fotograflar copyrights Mert Erkılavuz