CEV European Championship Final 2016 Biel/Bienne - Final Day - 5th of June

German's Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst photo by CEV 

We woke up a sunny day @Biel/Bienne in the final day of CEV European Championship Final.

Although rainy weather came back in a short time, the atmosphere at the tribunes was smiliar with last years FIVB World Championships 2015 in Netherlands.

The Mens semi final results was ;

Nicolai/Lupo ITA [6]

-   Brouwer/Meeuwsen NED [2]

2-1 (12-21, 21-16, 15-10)

Semenov/Krasilnikov RUS [10]

-  Fijalek/Prudel POL [12]

2-0 (21-17, 21-17)

Russia's Viacheslav Krasilnikov celebrates during a semi final game against Poland photo by CEV

                                 
Womens final was between last years CEV European champion Ludwig-Walkenhorst (GER) and the real sensation of this years EuroBeachVolley, Slukova-Hermannova (CZE). And also we can say that last years FIVB Antalya Open 2015 champions Slukova-Hermannova (CZE) faced with this years FIVB Antalya Open 2016 champions Ludwig-Walkenhorst (GER).

German's Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst celebrates photo by CEV

Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst controlled the final from start to end and won by 2-0 (21-14, 21-15). With this result German's Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst crowned as CEV European Champions second time in a row.

German's Borger-Büthe claimed the bronze medal match with Russians Birlova-Ukolova 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) to complete the womens podium

German's Borger-Büthe won the bronze medal at Biel/Bienne photo by CEV

At mens final Italians Lupo-Nicolai won over Russians Semenov-Krasilnikov with a tie-break. 2-1 (21-15, 13-21, 15-12)

The podium placements at Biel/Bienne was ;

Mens ;

1- Nicolai/Lupo (ITA)
2- Semenov-Krasilnikov (RUS)
3- Fijalek-Prudel (POL)

Results on the wall of central court

Womens ;

1- Ludwig/Walkenhorst (GER)
2- Slukova/Hermannova (CZE)
3- Borger/Buthe (GER)

Empty tribunes after awarding ceremony,

Beer time after awarding ceremony next to lake Biel,

Beautiful lake Biel,

2017 edition of  CEV European Championship Final will be taking place at Jurmala and Riga , Latvia on the third week of August.

So bye to Biel until next time,

CEV European Championship Final 2016 Biel/Bienne - Day 4 - Part 2

We were like ghosts at the tribunes of Biel/Bienne under the rain

Despite the rainy weather we were at the tribunes for mens quarter final games. All four matches went to decider.

Last years European Champions Samoilovs-Smedins from Latvia didn't secure their title and lost against Semenov-Krasilnikov from Russia 1-2 (17-21, 21-19, 12-15)

One of the most exciting games of mens quarter finals is between Fijalek-Prudel (POL) and Ingrosso-Ingrosso (ITA). Last years European Championship finalists Fijalek-Prudel took the game against last years Biel/Bienne Masters winners with 2-1 (21-19, 19-21, 20-18).

Picteresque view of centre court on the shores of lake Biel, smoky green hill makes background 

The other results of mens quarter finals are ;

Nummerdor/Varenhorst NED [1]

Brouwer/Meeuwsen NED [2]

1-2 (21-18, 19-21, 12-15)

Herrera/Gavira ESP [5]

Nicolai/Lupo ITA [6]

1-2 (21-23, 23-21, 12-15)

Sorry I have no photos from womens semi final matches but I have a video from Saturday night party at the venue.

CEV European Championship Final 2016 Biel/Bienne - Day 4 - Part 1

The bridges that connects side courts and centre court area at Biel

I have started to follow mens Round 2 games on the day 4 of CEV European Championship Final 2016

Brouwer/Meeuwsen NED [2] -

Böckermann/Flüggen GER [11]

2-0 (21-14, 21-17)

and 

Doppler/Horst AUT [3]

-  Herrera/Gavira ESP [5]

0-2 (18-21, 11-21)

matches were not too exciting according to my expects. 

On the quarter final at womens side there was an important game according to olympic rankings, 

Borger - Büthe (GER) faced with their compatriots Holtwick-Semmler (GER)

Even Holtwick-Semmler came back from 17-20 at second set , they lost their rivals for Rio with a 15-13 tie-break. 

Holtwick-Semmler's comeback from 17-20 in the second set

Holtwick - Semmler ' s  last chance for Rio will be Hamburg Major Event between 07-12 of June before 13 of June deadline. 

Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst had already guaranteed Rio for Germany.

At another quarter final game at womens side Slukova-Hermannova (CZE) won over Netherlands Meppelink-Van Iersel 2-0 (21-17, 21-16)

Slukova-Hermannova (CZE) and Netherlands Meppelink and her coach Angie Akers (USA) is warming up

During the matches please look at the competition between Italy's Marta Menegatti and Viktoria Orsi Toth, Do you think who was the the winner ?

  

   By the way 'The Beach Train' brings us from the Biel/Bienne train station to the stadium. 

The Beach Train of CEV European Championship Final 2016

CEV European Championship Final 2016 Biel/Bienne - Day 3

A tough match at womens side welcomed me in the evening session with a sunset when I arrived the venue of CEV European Championship Final 2016 Biel/Bienne on 3rd of June. 

It was a round 2 match between Menegatti/Orsi Toth (ITA) / Holtwick/Semmler (GER) at side court and Germans won this thrilling game with a 16-14 tie-break.

Italians Marta Menegatti is serving against Holtwick/Semmler (GER) at the sunset

Duel on the net between Marta Menegatti (ITA) and Ilka Semmler (GER)

The venue was full of people even in a rainy weather. It was like a carnival with full of stands between the centre court and side courts. Eating and drinking areas, small shops, some kind of playing areas  and big meeting tent in the middle with a bar are located brilliantly at the venue. Of course my favourite stand was Haribo.

   

                 

The last match at the evening session was between Heidrich-Zumkehr (SUI) and Slukova-Hermannova (CZE). This years FIVB Sochi Open champions and home heroines Heidrich-Zumkehr started very strongly to the game. After 17-14, Slukova - Hermanova tied the game at the end of first set with a 20-20 but the first set gone to Heidrich-Zumkehr.

After Hermannova's injury,  Czech girls started to play better and they took the game 2-1 with a 21-17 second and easier one with a 15-6 tie-break. 

Hermannova has been injured during a Round of 16 game in Biel/Bienne

                                         

Slukova-Hermannova (CZE) and their fan celebrating their win at round of 16  at Biel/Bienne

So both Swiss women teams have eliminated at the round of 16 and their medal hopes had ended quickly in Biel/Bienne.

For all photos on 3rd of June you can visit official website of CEV or click here .

And also if you haven't watched yet the trailer video of CEV European Championship Final 2016 please enjoy the video below. 

photos by me , video from youtube