Czech stars storm in to second Major final

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Bara and Maki celebrate their place in the final

Barbora Hermannová and Marketa Sluková are setting their sights on a first Beach Major Series gold after they booked their ticket in the final of the A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch.

The Czech stars gained revenge on experienced Brazilians Carol Solberg and Maria Antonelli with a breathtaking display on the Red Bull Beach Arena after losing to their opponents in the pool play earlier in the week.

It’s the European’s first Major Series final since last season’s Poreč Major when they won silver in the final against Canadians Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes.

“It’s the one thing missing - a Major gold,” said Barbora after their semifinal triumph. “To win here would be a dream. The set-up is amazing, the fans are incredible and it’s most local Major tournament.

“We’ve been playing really well lately so to get to the final is an amazing feeling.”

The team also have extra reason to succeed on the Danube Island – their coach Simon Nausch – hails from Austria.

“We have a lot of friends and family here watching, and of course Simon as a lot of friends here,” says Marketa. “Our tactics meetings are often interrupted by people coming up to him and talking to him!

“It would mean a lot for us to win gold here. That’s the aim, as it always is. We’ve never won a Major Series tournament so now is our time!”

The pair will meet another Brazilian team in the final, taking on Barbara/Fernanda the Fort Lauderdale Major champions, after their win over Meppelink/Keizer in the second semifinal.

Watch the women’s gold medal match live on BeachStream at 5.15pm CEST.