CZECH DUO CELBOVA/NOVAKOVA WINS ITALIAN OPEN

European Championship Tour 2004

Roseto degli Abruzzi, 14th May 2004. Sona NOVAKOVA and Eva CELBOVA played an incredible tournament in Roseto degli Abruzzi from the first rally onwards up until the match-point hit the sand on the opposing side of the court in the final of the first tournament on the Beach Volleyball European Championship Tour.

The final against the Swiss duo Simone KUHN and Nicole SCHNYDER-BENOIT turned out a one-sided event. The Czechs capitalized on their athletic superiority from the start and the challengers never found into their game. A large amount of unforced errors by the Swiss duo throughout the match led to a relatively easy straight sets victory for CELBOVA/NOVAKOVA (21:14, 21:15). "I think our opponents were nervous", CELBOVA said after the game, "which turned out well for us."

She did not however forget to acknowledge their own accomplishment: "Our performance was almost perfect, especially our defence", Celbova commented, "we cannot play much better than that". CELBOVA/NOVAKOVA were rewarded for their performances in Roseto degli Abruzzi with 8,500 Euros in prize money. The losers of the final were consoled with 6,250 Euros. Third place went to Laura BRUSCHINI and Annamaria SOLAZZI from Italy, who beat Ingrid TORLEN and Nila Ann HAKEDAHL (NOR) in two sets (21:16, 21:14) in the match for third place.

After their strong showing at the Italian Open CELBOVA/NOVAKOVA will now focus their training on the European Championship Final from June 10-13 in Timmendorfer Strand (Germany). "The Italians, the German teams and the Dutch are in good shape right now, but if we play like this at the EC we do not have to be afraid of anyone", Sona NOVAKOVA said. In the men¹s tournament the French duo CANET/HAMEL caused a major upset in the last sixteen. The qualifiers beat the reigning European Champions BERGER/DOPPLER from Austria in three sets (19:21, 21:18, 15:11). The 2002 European Champions however, DIECKMANN/RECKERMANN, lived up to their high expectations by beating BRINK/SCHNEIDER in an all-German match. The Italian Open concludes with the men's semi-finals and finals tomorrow.

Background information on the European Championship Tour
The European Championship Tour is the highest ranked series of European Beach Volleyball tournaments that promotes the sport and its star players on a European level. The series of tournaments culminates into the European Championship Final as the season's highlight.

For further information please visit www.eurobeachtour.com and/or contact the Communication Managers of the European Championship Tour Klaus Wegener and Felix Meininghaus at communications@eurobeachtour.com.

Background information on the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball
The CEV is the FIVB supporting institution responsible for governing 54 National Volleyball Federations throughout Europe and is recognised as such by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) for Volleyball and Beach Volleyball. The CEV has the authority and responsibility for organising all European Competitions, especially the European Championship Tour (Men & Women).

For further information please contact the CEV Head Office in Luxembourg, Olivier Mottier at olivier.mottier@cev.lu or
+ 352 25 46 46 25.

Background information on Global Sports Marketing Ltd. (GSM)
GSM is dedicated to the development and implementation of innovation in sports and entertainment. The company positions and markets international sports and entertainment properties on behalf of the respective rights-holders. Besides, it offers all services related to the marketing of commercial rights - media, sponsorship and licensing/merchandising rights as well as development of sports brands. GSM, based in Zurich (Switzerland) develops, promotes and markets the European Championship Tour within a long-term partnership with the European Volleyball Confederation CEV.

For further information please contact Global Sports Marketing, Christian Scholbrock at christian.scholbrock@gsmglobalsports.com or +41 43 244 9977.

Press Release (PDF)