Belarusians in the final of the International Beach Volleyball Tournament “Victory Cup”

The quarter-final day of the International Beach Volleyball Tournament "Victory Cup" at the capital's Sports Palace on September 11 turned out to be rich in emotions for the Belarusian team. There were hurtful defeats, and strong-willed victories, and the main result of a busy day was the ticket of Victoria Secretova and Nadezhda Tishkova to the final, the correspondent of the agency “Minsk-Novosti”.

The playoffs started with a loss. Veronika Thunder and Margarita Gaishun failed to make it to the semifinals, losing to the Moscow duo Ekaterina Shevtsova and Christina Filimonova - 0: 2 (16:21, 15:21). The Russians from the first draws seized the initiative and confidently brought both parties to victory.

But V. Secretova and N. Tishkova in a tight fight received a ticket to the semifinals, beating Daria Shustova and Victoria Yamaletdinova - 2: 1 (24:22, 18:21, 15:12).

Our men were not left without victory either. Alexander Dedkov and Pavel Petrushko in a heavy three-set match defeated the Russians Nikita Lyamin and Alexei Gusev – 2: 1 (21:17, 17:21, 15:13). After the exchange of winning games, everything was decided by the third set, where the Belarusians showed character and snatched the victory in the end.

In the semifinals, V. Secretova and N. Tishkova had to meet with E. Shevtsova and K. Filimonova, a duo who had previously knocked out the second Belarusian women’s couple from the fight. This time the script was different. The first batch was fought hard. The Russians clinged to every ball, but the Belarusians withstood the pressure in the final part and took the set - 23:21. After that, our volleyball players seemed to catch their wave. In the second game, they quickly created a comfortable gap, and the rivals could not return to the game. A confident finish brought the Belarusians victory - 21:12.

After the match, Belarusian emotions beat over the edge. The girls admitted that they had not yet realized the success.

- We are very happy to be in the final. While still on emotions, courage, insanely happy, shared the athletes.

According to volleyball players, one of the keys to victory was teamwork both on and off the court. The Belarusians strengthened their serve, were able to read the game better and take advantage of their moments.

- This is all our team work together with the coach, as well as the support of our loved ones and relatives, the girls noted.

Athletes are still trying to avoid the final. Too much energy and emotion was given to the semifinal battle.

But the Belarusian men’s duo failed to continue the fight for gold. Alexander Dedkov and Pavel Petrushko in the semifinals met with representatives of Obninsk Fedor Sabaev and Dmitry Veretyuk. The Russians immediately indicated serious intentions and took the first batch — 21:15. In the second set, the Belarusians tried to change the course of the meeting, but the opponents retained control of the game and put a point - 21:16.

On September 12, at 19:00, the women's final will take place. Our athletes will meet with last year’s champions of the Victory Cup – Maria Egorova and Maria Lazurenko. At 17:00, the Belarusian men’s duo will take to the court in the match for third place, where he will face Dynamo Moscow – Vladislav Reinson and Vyacheslav Krasilnikov. Ahead are decisive matches, a bright fight and a chance to finish the tournament on a pedestal.

Photo by Ministry of Sport