David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig ready for European Beach Volleyball Championship semi-finals – beat German stars Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler

8/5/2023, 2:34:44 PM

Highlights: Swedish duo David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig beat German duo Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler 24–26, 21–17, 16–14. In tomorrow's semi-final, the Swedes will face the Italian duo Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai. "A crazy match, I almost lost my voice," says �ähman in the victory interview on the Austrian sand after the quarter-final win.

David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig have a European Championship gold to defend. Now that dream is just two games away. Despite losing in the first set, they managed to defeat German stars Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler in today's quarterfinals. Winning figures: 24–26, 21–17, 16–14.

The Swedish team got off to a tough start and lost the first set against the German world eights 24–26.

But in the second set, they got off to a dream start and went up to 4–1 early. They never let go of that lead, and eventually won 21–17.

The Germans saved match balls

Also in the third set, Åhman and Hellvig started brilliantly, and went up to 3–0. The Germans, led by a sometimes really strong Wickler, played themselves up and were on some occasions only one point behind the Swedes. But a new jolt by the Swedes – who offered very few mistakes of their own – up to 11-6, looked to be decisive for a long time.

But the Germans came back, and saved two match balls – the second of which came on a serve that went through the net.

But on the third, Sweden decided – and could cheer for a semi-final place.

"A crazy match, I almost lost my voice," Åhman said in the victory interview on the Austrian sand.

In tomorrow's semi-final, the Swedes will face the Italian duo Samuele Cottafava and Paolo Nicolai.