19/07/2012 00:00
For Thurin/Thurin from Sweden, Beach Volleyball is a family matter
2012 CEV U23 Beach Volleyball European Championship
Assen, Netherlands, July 19, 2012. Beach Volleyball is often considered a sport that runs very deep inside those who practice it. Sometimes, it runs so deep that it feels like if your teammates are part of your family. In some other unusual occasions, this is actually true and your teammates – and coaches - are, in fact, your family. This is the case for Swedish team Thurin/Thurin playing at 2012 CEV U23 Beach Volleyball European Championship.
Meet Susanna Thurin, a.k.a Sanna; 19 years old, from Swedish city of Sollentuna. Her teammate is Kristina Thurin, a.k.a Tina; Also 19 years old, and also from Swedish city of Sollentuna. They represent Sweden in the 2012 CEV U23 Beach Volleyball European Championship being held in Dutch city of Assen and they are, as a matter of fact, sisters. Twin sisters.
The element that makes the Thurin duo more remarkable is the fact that Susanna and Kristina are identical twins who always play together as a team, carrying the Swedish flag in the top international competitions. The resemblance is notorious and the similarities are so evident that when they are on the court, the only way to set them apart is the number on their tops. Despite the similitude, the two Swedish girls agree that they never use the ‘Twin factor’ when they are on the sand. Asked if they have tried to confuse rivals, they respond at unison: “No, never. We have never done that”. "Besides, we are not that similar!", joked Susanna.
However, as twin sisters usually do, they share the same opinion about the positive effect that their close relation has when they play Beach Volleyball. “Sometimes we look at each other and know ‘ok, this is what I have to do’”, said Susanna Thurin. “Yes, it is for sure an advantage that we know each other so well”, commented Kristina. “I don’t see me playing with anyone else”, added.
The traditional rapport among twin siblings is emphasized in this case by the fact that Susanna and Kristina Thurin have always played together. “We have never played with other players”, pointed out Susanna. “We started playing together when we were younger and we have been doing it since then”, added Kristina. The twin sisters initiated their volleyball career at 10 years old, when they joined local club, VK Sollentuna. The transition to Beach Volleyball was only natural, as they picked up the sport from their older sisters, who brought it from Australia; the Thurin family even set up a Beach Volleyball court in their backyard.
The coach of the Thurin team, also a sister
To make all matters inside the family, the coach of the team is also a Thurin sister: older sister, Åsa. At 23 years old, Åsa Thurin has always worked alongside her younger siblings and she travelled with the rest of the team to Assen to take part in the European Championship. As good families do. “For me it is easy to train them because I know them so well”, said Åsa, who acknowledges that the sister condition does not affect her work. “I think it is better that we are sisters, it does not get frustrating or anything like that; we are very close”, pointed out the older sister.
Thurin family is one clear example of longlasting passion for Volleyball; Susanna and Kristina Thurin play as a team representing Sweden; they are trained by older sister Åsa. And older sister Sofia also plays Volleyball. Even their parents (also present at the tournament in Assen) practice the sport. For Thurin/Thurin team in Assen, Beach Volleyball is definitively a family matter.
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