2018 FISU World University BEACH Championship July 9 - 13 | | 2018 SETTER LETTER No. 4 Munich Germany Thursday, July 12 FISU World University Championship

wucbeachvolley2018.com and deliver a Thriller in round two

On the third day of the 2018 FISU World Uni- “We are here to win a gold medal,“ says versity Beach Volleyball Championship the Romain Di Giantommaso. He and his team excitement was stacked up. It was about partner Olivier Barthelemy from making it to the quarterfinals. continued their winning streak. With a safe victory (21:13, 21:12) against Georgios Chrys- Spain defeated Canada in three sets ostomou/Antonis Liotatis from Cyprus, they The Spaniards Óscar Jiménez/Hugo Rojas entered the quarter-finals of the tournament. bai/Viktoryia Siakretava. After winning the fought a high-class duel against the Ca- The German twin brothers Bennet and David first set (21:10), the Americans also won the nadians Gabriel Burlacu/Jake MacNeil on Poniewaz also reached the round of the best highly competitive second set (23:21) and will Wednesday morning. Only in the 3rd set did eight with a victory (21:10, 21:12) against the advance to the quarter-finals. the Europeans win the game (17:21, 25:23, Chilean duo Pablo Prieto and Alejandro Za- 15:12). “In the second set the Canadians vala. The second WUBC twin duo, Meghan and came back stronger, but we managed to take Nicole McNamara from Canada, underlined their block player out of the match“, Rojas In the women´s tournament the Ameri- their ambitions for gold and defeated the analysed. “Reaching the quarter-finals is our can duo Emily Sonny/Torrey Van Winden Czech team Kotlasova/Resova in two sets declared goal. We‘d be more than happy if convinced with great teamwork in their game (22:20, 21:14). we made it to the semi-finals,“ he continued. against the duo from , Lizaveta Cha-

The city tour began on “Marienplatz” at the The world as guest in Munich “Fischbrunnen”. The tour led down to Ger- many‘s largest food market, the “Viktualien- markt”. Just as unique for the locals as it is for the guests of the WUBC: Munich‘s only beer garden that offers beer from the six large On Wednesday evening, the athletes and breweries in Munich. After 40,000 litres of officials of the World University Beach Vol- beer served, the bar changes its beer type. leyball Championship (WUBC) had the op- One or two guests certainly would have liked portunity to explore the city of Munich du- to stay for a tasting. ring a guided city tour. There were many smiling faces during a nice anecdote to the statue of the “Charming Ju- “I was most impressed by ‘Marienplatz’, with liet“ (from Romeo and Juliet) at the old town its range and the huge ‘Glockenspiel’,“ en- hall. It is a symbol of eternal love and a gift thused Martin Pihera. The 24-year-old athlete from the city of Verona from 1974 and seals from the is in Germany for the the partnership between Munich and Verona. first time. “It‘s a tremendous experience be- Legend has it that desperate lovers pet Ju- ing here at the WUBC. The spectators, who lia‘s breast to conjure up her heart‘s happi- create the right atmosphere here, the weath- ness. The outer surface texture of the bosom er, the other athletes - everything fits.“ shows that the legend is alive.

2 Besides the Courts – Time to discover Munich

3 Preview: It`s about every point! Day four of the 2018 FISU World University Beach Volleyball Championship (WUBC) will feature the quarterfinals of the women`s and men`s competition.

In the women‘s category, the gold medal con- tenders from Canada will play USA 2, while 1 will have to play its neigh- bours from . The second team from Switzerland, on the other hand, will have to play Spain. The Dutch women will compete against USA 1.

In the men‘s competition, Team Germany 1 has to take on the French. Switzerland 1 will play . Spain 2 will play their quarter- final against Austria and the second German team has to face the players from the Nether- Both women‘s and one men‘s team from Switzerland will compete in the Quarterfinals. lands.

ever has a “Dirndl” or a “Lederhosen” in the Culture:“Lederhosen” and closet is welcome to smarten themselves up. Of course, traditional Bavarian food is also of- “Dirndl” on Bavarian Evening fered. A typical Bavarian brass band provides the musical background, a local “Schuhplat- tler” (Bavarian dance) group is part of the Host city of the FISU World University Beach programme as well. Volleyball Championship (WUBC) 2018 and Bavarian capital – Munich is the place That the food does not lie too heavy in the where sport meets tradition. stomach, there will be a party in the Oly Dis- co after the cultural programme. The “Players Night” offers all participants and officials the Besides the venue and after the matches, opportunity for international exchange with the Bavarian Evening will take place at the dance and music. venue on Thursday. All athletes, officials and volunteers are cordially invited. Unpack your Key-facts traditional costume, because now it’s getting 6-8 pm.: Dinnertime authentic! 7-9 pm.: Music, Dance and Volunteer appreciation in the Beergarden WUBC guests from all over the world can get Afterwards: Oly Disco in the Olympic Village, to know Bavarian culture as well: The Bavari- follow the signs (5 minutes walk) an evening starts right after the games. Who- Schweinsbraten and Beergarden Atmosphere

4 because we arrived, directly had to train and “The Olympics are definitely a then went straight in the competition. So we are still hopeful to experience the city. I’m re- goal for the future” ally impressed by the tournament itself, the professional setup and the nice atmosphere.

What were your goals for this tournament? Obviously our goal was to win it. Unfortuna- tely it didn’t work out, but we also value that this is a very new team and we are learning about each other.

And for the future? Olympia again? That’s definitely a goal. I think the last years have been a little bit slow for myself coming off with Rio. I didn’t have a great season last year and then I had the back surgery. So I feel a little behind, but I’m also very excited how we were able to train and play together the last few weeks. So I think there is some strong potential for us to have a crack in the Nicole Laird answered all our questions in an interview with volunteer Samuel von Tschilschke Olympics at 2020.

Nicole Laird is a rising star at the Australian more confident with a bit more of experience Thank you very much for the interview and volleyball sky. The 25 year old already was around where you’re at in your competition good luck for the future! at the Olympics in Rio. Actually she is taking level. part in the WUBC. What is special about the World University At a glance Championship? How do you organise the professional I think it’s really cool knowing how many sport besides the academic career? teams and athletes from different countries This is actually my second degree and I didn’t are here and that it’s possible for everyone to A bunch of lunch finish my first one, because volleyball took study and to play volleyball at a high level. I over. So I took a couple of years off and then was a bit surprised of the depth of quality in The athletes have been fuelling up decided that I want to study again. This time I this tournament. But it’s good to be challen- for the upcoming ranking games. At chose to study more part time and take more ged from the start. today’s lunch nearly 500 servings online courses. were eaten. This equals 130 kilograms Have you ever played with Britt Kendall as of food or the average weight of a What is the difference between the tensi- a team before? women’s beach volleyball team. on before an Olympic tournament and the Two weeks ago was our first event together World University Championship? in , but we only played one quali- Additional to that all the sweet lovers The crowd is definitely a difference. I know fying game and lost. So it’s still fresh but we consumed 558 smoothies and 437 yo- that there are not several million people wat- are learning a lot about each other as we go. gurts throughout the day. If they turn ching it on TV, but there are similarities as these calories into game energy, we well. So I still feel a lot of the same nerves as What do you think about Munich and the have some even more exciting matches walking into an Olympic tournament. Anyway Championship in general? ahead. I think nerves go away a little when you are We haven’t seen a lot of Munich as a city,

5 BEACH VOLLEYBALL 2018 Munich Germany FISU World University Championship

Imprint

Editor WUBC Organising Committee c/o German University Sports Federation Max-Planck-Str. 2 64807 Dieburg wucbeachvolley2018.de

Editorial Staff Julia Ratzel, Angela Wendel, Julia Hoffmann, Michael Ries, Manuel Lesch, Lea Behnsen, Dr. Fabian Kautz, Julia Frasch, Malin Hoster, Nina Haller, Sa- muel von Tschilschke, Dominik Kifinger, Sandra Mitterer, Jonas Haferanke, Laurin Diepers, We are a sustainable event and Eva Puschmann, Andro Winter, want to save resources. Moritz Dollsack

Pictures Please remember to finish your water adh-Archive, FISU-Archive, bottles and put them in the boxes André Goerschel, Alfred Müller, provided. Thank you very much! Günter Standl, A. Kupka