The A1 Beach Pro Tour Vienna on Heumarkt is now just a few weeks away and the final entry list has been confirmed. Eight of the top ten teams in the world rankings will meet in Vienna for a final showdown before the Olympics.
A wildcard for the tournament this year has been awarded to none other than the Austrian fan favorites Hörl/Horst, who placed ninth at last year's European Championships in Vienna. We're excited to see how they will perform just ahead of the Paris Olympics. While Horst has already competed at three other editions of the Olympic Games, it will be Hörl's first time in the French capital. Three further Austrian duos made it into the qualifying round: Ermacora/Waller, Seidl/Pristauz and Hammarberg/Berger.
Germans Ehlers/Wickler will make a comeback to Vienna after ranking fifth at last year's European Championships. Their compatriots Pfretzschner/Winter made it into the qualifiers. Poland's Bryl/Losiak will also return to the Austrian capital after their appearance at the 2022 Nations Cup.
Cottafava/Nicolai just missed the podium last year in Vienna, admitting defeat to Ukranians Popov/Reznik. Nicolai is an Olympic veteran, having ranked fifth in 2012 and 2020, and even winning the silver medal in 2013 with former partner Lupo. Paris will be his fifth, but Nicolai’s first attempt at Olympic gold.
The Dutch men’s representation will be strong with Boermans/De Groot and Immers/Van de Velde, who will also compete in Paris. De Groot returns to Vienna with his regular partner after claiming the silver medal at last year’s European Championships with interim partner Leon Luini.
Beachvolley Vikings and 2022 World Champions, Mol/Sørum, are returning to Vienna, hungry for more after finishing fifth at last summer's tournament. After clinching gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, fans eagerly anticipate what this duo has in store for them in the City of Lights this year. But first, it's Vienna calling! As everyone knows: The Vikings love Vienna, and Vienna loves the Vikings!
