The men’s and women’s finals at the Swatch Major Gstaad were sold out. The weather over the weekend reconciled visitors and helpers for a beach week that had started wet and cold.

The finals took place in front of a fantastic backdrop in a sold-out Gstaad Stadium. The women’s gold match was an all-Brazilian affair. Agatha/Duda fought their way onto the top of the podium against their compatriots Ana Patricia/Rebecca. “After 16 years, I finally hold the cowbell in my hand. This has been our biggest dream since we started performing together as a team,” said a delighted Agatha Bednarczuk after the win.

“Flying Dutchmen” and favourites from Qatar
The men’s final at the Swatch Major Gstaad had a surprising pairing. The young Dutch Boermans/de Groot won in three sets against the team Cherif/Ahmed from Qatar. The 21- and 26-year-old players from the Netherlands had already won 2-1 in the pool against the team from Qatar. In the semi-final, they dominated the Russian team Liamin/Myskiv with two winning sets.

Swatch Major Gstaad as a model for future events
“The enormous amount of work involved in the protection concept has paid off for everyone involved. This major event in Gstaad is an important platform for beach volleyball as a sport, the teams and the sponsors. The elaborate bubble principle as the basis for the overall concept proved particularly successful,” says tournament director Ruedi Kunz with relief. He adds: “Other major events in Switzerland can build on this basis, and the Swatch Major Gstaad can look to the future with renewed strength.

BASED ON AVS/JENNY STERCHI