))
GET READY FOR THE MECCA OF BEACH VOLLEYBALL
European Championship Tour 2004
Timmendorfer Strand/Luxembourg, May 20, 2004. Timmendorfer Strand is anxiously expecting the European Championship Final. Once a year the fans and freaks of the sandy spectacle flock to Timmendorfer Strand to experience an unforgettable party at the German Championships.
This year the otherwise tranquil health resort on the Baltic Sea is
entering new dimensions: The European Championship Tour will make a
guest appearance at Timmendorfer Strand from June 10-13 to determine the
2004 Beach Volleyball European Champion. The EC-Final is the highlight
of the 2004 European Championship Tour with tournaments in Italy,
Germany and Spain. The importance of the event has been underlined by a
partnership between Eurosport and the organizing agency Global Sports
Marketing (GSM) to broadcast live from the event.
The Italian
Open, which took place last weekend in Roseto degli Abruzzi, proved in
an impressive fashion that the European Championship Final will not only
be a high-class event regarding fan and media attention, but also
because of the high level of play on court. The kick-off tournament of
this year’s European Championship Tour produced four days of top-class
Beach Volleyball with outstanding winners: The Spanish duo Javier Bosma
and Pablo Herrera, who have been partnering since this season,
demonstrated during the final against Markus Dieckmann and Jonas
Reckermann of Germany that they now belong to the group of elite world
teams. An incredible development; after all, last year the 21-year old
Herrera, Junior World Champion in 2002, fell in a coma following a
severe car accident.
Similarly impressive was the performance
given in Italy by Sona Novakova and Eva Celbova from the Czech Republic.
The experienced Czech duo received 8,500 Euro for their convincing
tournament victory and now has the possibility of doubling that amount
if they play just as well at Timmendorfer Strand. “We were witness of a
fantastic sport in Roseto”, Christian Scholbrock, Managing Director for
GSM, raved. “That event made us hungry for more. If Timmendorfer Strand
attracts more attention than the Italian Open, which is expected, the
fans, sponsors and players will be more than happy.”
At the
European Championship Final the 24 best European duos (men and women)
will plough through the sand for four days. It will be the first Beach
Volleyball EC-Final held in Germany. Due to the fact that not only
200,000 Euro in prize money but also important Olympic qualification
points for the Summer Games in Athens are up for grabs, it belongs to
one of the top events in the international Beach Volleyball calendar. In
addition, the duos from the host country belong to the “Crème de la
Crème” of Beach Volleyball in Europe, namely the 2003 European Champions
Okka Rau and Stephanie Pohl (both from Kiel) and the EC silver medalists
Andrea Ahmann and Jana Vollmer (Schmiden/Rottenburg). On the men’s side
the duo from Cologne, Markus Dieckmann and Jonas Reckermann, who won
gold at the 2002 European Championships and silver in 2003, will be
representing the host nation.
The special flair of the beach
volleyball events at the resort on the Baltic Sea is not only known in
Germany but all over Europe. “We are really looking forward to the
European Championship Final because the players say that the atmosphere
and the fans are amazing”, Sona Novakova says. “It will surely be a
highlight in our career.”
The important thing for fans to
know is that entry to the matches is free. Experience has shown that the
rush for seats is huge predicting a full arena for the annual German
Championships for the three consecutive days. Those who do not want to
risk missing a single serve or smash can reserve a seat for 10 Euro at
04503-35850 or 04503-2203. As a special bonus offer GSM has put together
a generous VIP-programme including overnight stay in a 4- or 5 star
hotel, VIP accreditation with priority seating on centre court,
excursions, an exclusive boat trip on the Baltic Sea with Europe’s top
athletes and an invitation to the following “Players’ Night” and party,
transfer to and from the airport and lots more. Information at
0041-432449977 or
info@gsmglobalsports.com
Additional information on the
entertainment programme concerning fireworks, party, live acts etc can
be found on the official website at:
www.eurobeachtour.com. Also find media accreditation forms for download
on this website.
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) |
 |
 |
 |