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NESTEA European Championship Tour 2006

Luxembourg/Moscow, June 15 2006. In the qualification phase of the Russian Masters, the third stop of the NESTEA European Championship Tour 2006, Dutch men's team Nummerdor/Schuil, Boersma/Mast, Sinczak/Szternel (POL), Corneliussen/Simonsen (DEN) as well as Keizer/Leenstra (NED), Holtwick/Semmler (GER), Gattelli/Perrotta (ITA) and the Austrian Schwaiger siblings have managed to qualify for the Main Draw.


Nummerdor/Schuil have again advanced to the Main Draw at the Russian Masters in Moscow following their similar qualification success at the German Masters in Hamburg a week prior. “Our main goal was to survive qualification", said Richard Schuil. They had some tough matches on their way though, especially against Schroffenegger/Schroffenegger from Austria. But finally the Dutch duo came out on top in three sets (21-23, 21-15, 15-11). “We don't mind these kind of matches because they give us playing time and competitive match experience", Schuil, who was a player in the Dutch indoor Olympic team at the 1996 Atlanta Games announced, “But we would also not mind having sufficient ranking list points in order to avoid the qualification round in the future events." The Russian Masters, the third tournament of the NESTEA European Championship Tour 2006 following the Turkish and the German Masters, is a great opportunity to collect points. “But the Main Draw is so competitive that it will be tough", he fears. Along with Nummerdor/Schuil their compatriots Boersma/Mast, Sinczak/Szternel (Poland), and the Danish duo Corneliussen/Simonsen have also secured a spot in the 16-team Main Draw of the 100'000 Euro tournament.

On the women's side, the German Masters bronze medallists Susanne Keizer and Marrit Leenstra from the Netherlands managed to secure a spot in the Main Draw of the Russian Masters, following some disputed encounters.

The remaining spots in the Main Draw were seized by Germany's Kathrin Holtwick/Ilka Semmler (seventh in Alanya), 2002 European Champions Gattelli/Perrotta from Italy and the sibling duo Doris and Stefanie Schwaiger from Austria. The latter team are continuing their upward trend following seventh, 17th, and ninth place finishes on the World Tour. On the NESTEA European Championship Tour, however, it is their first appearance in the Main Draw: “It was about time", stated Stefanie Schwaiger.

The Russian Masters will continue with the matches of the Main Draw in the men's and women's tournament on Friday at 9.00hrs local time. On Saturday the tournament will enter the decisive phase. The men's final begins on Sunday at 14.00hrs and the women's final will be played at 17.00hrs. The winning teams will receive 8'500 Euros in prize money as well as valuable ranking list points.
The points are important in the race for the bonus prize at the end of the season for the 'smart European season ranking leader'. The best teams of the CEV Ranking list will receive a 'smart forfour' each from the Tour partner.

For more information please view www.eurobeachtour.com and/or www.cev.lu/BeachVolleyball

 

The tournaments of the NESTEA European Championship Tour 2006:

17 - 21 May 2006: Turkish Masters in Alanya
31 May - 3 June 2006: German Masters in Hamburg
15 - 18 June 2006: Russian Masters in Moscow
20 - 23 July 2006: Spanish Masters in Valencia
5 - 8 August 2006: Swiss Masters in Lucerne
24 - 27 August 2006: NESTEA European Championship Final in The Hague (NED)

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Background information on the NESTEA European Championship Tour

The NESTEA 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 NESTEA 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 NESTEA 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 NESTEA 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 8970.