Karla Borger and Britta Büthe of Germany remain unbeaten in Pool D

Karla Borger and Britta Büthe of Germany kept the hopes up for the home fans in the Pool Play of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Berlin smart Grand Slam, which is currently underway.

Photo credit: FIVB

Borge and Büthe took on Italy’s Marta Menegatti/ Viktoria Orsi Toth on Thursday. The home duo had the advantage of local fans and familiar conditions, which enabled them to win against visiting Italian team 2-0 (21-17, 21-12).  The Germans completed the winning streak of three matches and finished the round robin as top team in the pool D.

However, the  two other German teams couldn't make their mark and finished last in their pool.

“I was a bit surprised that we won this match with these numbers, especially the difference in the second set, because it did not feel like that”, said Borger.

“We made many mistakes. I had some aces, but also a lot of mistakes in service, served a lot without pressure. So I think we have to work on some stuff. They stopped playing, maybe because we had some lucky balls, in, out, touching the net. I think t
hat took them a little bit out of the game.”

Ross-Walsh aim for Gold at the Berlin smart Grand Slam - Beach Volleyball

The US pairing of April Ross and Kerri Walsh secured the top position at the Moscow Grand Slam last week. In the next run, the duo seems right on track for another gold medal in the ongoing Berlin Smart Grand Slam.

They finished the final round robin match in straight sets and defeated Australia’s Louise Bawden and Taliqua Clancy 2-0 (21-15, 21-15). 

April Ross - FIVB Photo Gallery

In the pool matches, April Ross/ Kerri Walsh completely white-washed and finished on the top level. They received a a forfeit from fellow Americans Pavlik/Fopma in their opening pool match and scored  2-0 (21-12, 25-23) win over Polish team Brzostek/Kolosinka on Wednesday. 

The winning American duo successfully advance to the second knockout round unbeaten. 

The Berlin smart Grand Slam continues on Friday with the final pool round and first knockout round for the men and the first and second elimination rounds for the women.

Berlin is hosting a FIVB World Tour women’s event for the 9th time and a men’s event for the 15th time. After the $800.000 Berlin smart Grand Slam the FIVB World Tour continues its seven-event swing through Europe.

There are three more double-gender FIVB Grand Slams on the European continent: the FIVB Stavanger Grand Slam in Norway (June 24-28), the FIVB Gstaad Grand Slam in Switzerland (July 8-13) and finally the FIVB Transavia Grand Slam, played in three different cities in the Netherlands (July 15-20), but based in The Hague.

Colombia Women’s Volleyball Team secures spot in 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix

Maria Alejandra Marin

Women’s volleyball squads from Colombia and Peru came into contest on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Colombian girls hammered Peru 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-20). The victory enabled Colombia to secure a spot in next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix.

It will be the first time ever that Colombia will join the Grand Prix. Moreover, the team will also play for the seventh position at the XIII Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at Carlos Martinez Balmori Multisport Hall of Autonomous State University of Hidalgo.

In the past, Colombia participated in the cup twice. The team had finished eleventh in 2012 and 9th in 2013. On the other hand, Peruvian team took part in eight tournaments with a silver medal in 2010 but an eighth place in 2013.

Brazilian Mauro Marasciulo, coach of Colombia, expressed great joy after the first ever victory of Colombia over Peru in an international senior tournament.

 “The Federation is making a sacrifice and a great work to develop the girls who last year qualified to the U-20 world championship and now to the Grand Prix. The future is in their hands.”

An elated Maria Alejandra Marin, captain of Colombia, said: “We are happy because to win the right to go to the Grand Prix is something unprecedented for us. We know Peru is a tough rival and we were studying them and got the win.”’

Natalia Malaga, coach of Peru: “The satisfaction is for the team with the best result and Peru didn’t play in spite of being the team with the higher level. But unfortunately, putting aside the technical part, my players didn’t show the personal part and their attitude was bad, something that disappointed me.”

Shoulder injury forces Diana Malinova to withdraw - Beach Volleyball News

Photo credit: FIVB

Bulgaria's reigning national champion and former Balkan champion Diana Malinova withdrew from the Final Four matches of the last National Beach Volleyball Tour event in Kazanlak two weeks ago.She sustained a shoulder injury, which forced her to take a break from the game. Hence, Diana Malinova and her partner Rusena Slancheva will stay off the court unless her recovery.

She is considered one of the most decorated female beach volleyball players in Bulgaria. She will have to miss the 1st Round of the 2014-2016 CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup, where the southern European country hosts the battles in Pool G this coming weekend in Kardzhali.

For the upcoming matches in Pool G, where Bulgaria is in the company of Albania, Finland and Serbia, Diana Malinova will be replaced by Irena Mishonova as Rusena Slancheva’s teammate.

“I feel strong pain in my shoulder, which does not allow me to take part in this important tournament,” Malinova explained.  “I hope to recover and return to the court as fast as possible.  I wish the girls the best of luck in this competition.  I really hope to be part of the national team again soon…”