“The Flair of Timmendorfer Strand is outstanding”

European Championship Final 2004

Timmendorfer Strand/Luxembourg, June 7, 2004. Jonas Reckermann (25) is among the most successful Beach Volleyball players in Europe. With sidekick Markus Dieckmann he became European Champion in Switzerland in 2002. Last year the Germans fell to the Austrian duo, Nik Berger and Clemens Doppler, in the European Championship Final 2003 in Alanya (TUR) winning the silver medal. Prior to this year’s European Championship Final from 10 to 13 June in Timmendorfer Strand (GER) the two-meter tall block player, who is known in Beach Volleyball circles as “Hightower”, talked about the upcoming athletic prospect.

Question: In the past years it was easy to name the favourites for the European Championship Final: Austria, the strong Swiss teams and the German duos. But suddenly Bosma/Herrera (Spain) seem to have an equal claim to the title, after winning the Italian Open in Roseto degli Abruzzi and the World Tour tournament in China one week later beating the World Champions from Brazil, Emauel/Ricardo. What makes this Spanish team so dangerous?
Reckermann: The two of them had the entire winter to train together for the first time and that is apparent in their good coordination between each other. They complement each other perfectly – the experienced Bosma and the “young and wild” Herrera, who is in extremely good shape and has the build to capitalise on his talents. That seems to be a good combination.

Question: Pablo Herrera was in a coma after a severe car accident last year. Now he’s competing with the world’s elite. An impressive comeback…
Reckermann: Of course it is a wonderful and pleasant story about him. I only recently found out how close Herrera was to death. Even better that he made it out of all this the way he did.

Question: Bosma and Herrera – the new stars in the Beach Volleyball scene?
Reckermann: Time will tell, but their development is definitely amazing. Bosma has been on the Tour for a number of years, he’s a seasoned veteran. The surprising thing is that he has finished fifth twice in Olympic competition but has not been able to win an international final in all those years. And now he won two in one week. That is remarkable and deserves recognition. Pablo Herrera, who won the Junior World Championship in 2002, seems to be the perfect addition for him. They will have to be reckoned with at the European Championship Final.

Question: You and Markus Dieckmann lost the final at the Italian Open 2004 in Roseto in a tight match against the Spaniards. What was missing that day to beat them?
Reckermann: Just details, after all we almost won. We have to put more pressure on the serve than we did in Italy. All in all, we did not play poorly, but that may have been the difference.

Question: You played excellent tournaments in Serbia & Montenegro losing against the World Champions Ricardo/Emanuel of Brazil in the final and the semi-final. What is missing to beat them?
Reckermann: Not very much. We have to work on our side-out game to play more constant on highest level. That was the difference in the two games.

Question: Who would you consider your most feared names in Europe? Does such a formidable opponent exist?
Reckermann: No, we do not have an opponent we are afraid of playing against. But we will be reckoning with the Swiss, the Austrians, the Spaniards, Kjemperud/Hoidalen from Norway and our compatriots Dieckmann/Scheuerpflug. It will always be tough against these opponents; the intensity and concentration on the day will ultimately make the difference. It will definitely be exciting. The competition at the top of the European rankings is fierce.

Question: What status does the European Championship Final have in your own country?
Reckermann: Of course it has a very high status. We have always played well at European Championship Finals. If the atmosphere in Timmendorfer Strand during the European championship Final is similar to the German Championships – and I assume that it will be – it will be a great tournament which the foreign teams will also enjoy.

Question: Timmendorfer Strand’s flair enjoys a legendary reputation in the Beach Volleyball scene…
Reckermann: The main reasons why the national championships are such a unique event for all the teams, who are lucky enough to participate, are the fans and the superb organisation in Timmendorfer Strand. I think there will be a similar flair at the European Championship Final.

Question: Especially since it will be a home game for the German teams.
Reckermann: Sure. We are all really looking forward to that. If we do not get a medal it most certainly will not be due to a lack of support. My parents will be there, my girlfriend and lots of friends from Munster and Cologne. It will be an exciting happening and it is a good feeling to be supported from all sides.

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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.

LIVE scoreboard from the stadium in Timmendorf (10.-13. June 2004): www.eurobeachtour.com -> Scoreboard

Press Release (PDF)