No better time to be a beach volleyball player in Switzerland!

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Hüberli/Betschart were stunned at winning their first medal in Klagenfurt. Photocredit: Sebastian Marko.

A week ago Swiss women had never won a medal in the legendary history of beach volleyball in Klagenfurt…

…but now they have not one – but two!

Okay, so they didn’t win the all-important gold – but Switzerland were more than happy to grab second and third place at the A1 Major Klagenfurt as Heidrich/Zumkehr finished as runners-up, while rising stars Hüberli/Betschart landed their first podium finish of their blossoming young careers.

“I’m happy for the federation as the great work and investment is paying off,” a smiling silver medalist Nadine Zumkehr told us. “We’ve got some really good teams – look at those 20-year-old girls winning a medal at a Major!

“The support of the federation has been great, the system is excellent and today is the payback. We’ve got two teams going to Brazil, then we have young players winning medals and consistently reaching quarterfinals – this success is the best it’s been for Swiss beach volleyball.”

Hüberli/Betschart had lost in the quarterfinals at the Poreč Major and in the Olsztyn Grand Slam so they arrived in Klagenfurt in top form – but a bronze medal still came to a shock to the Swiss youngsters.

“Reaching the quarterfinals is a success for us,” said Nina. “This is a big, big surprise – it really is unbelievable. We’ve played without pressure and we’ve tried to get better and better.”

“We’re not a top team!” admitted Tanja. “Bronze is good but I don’t think we have been playing our best all the time. But it’s incredible. I can’t describe my emotions right now. I’m so happy!”