In the Netherlands

Beach volleyball players out in the round of 16 at the European Championships

Julian Hörl and Alexander Horst(Bild: AFP)

Austria's teams at the European Beach Volleyball Championships have failed to qualify for the decisive weekend matches.

Dorina and Ronja Klinger, Julian Hörl/Alexander Horst and Timo Hammarberg/Philipp Waller all reached the last 16 in the Netherlands on Friday, although the two men's teams had previously celebrated intermediate round victories. Two other red-white-red women's and men's teams had already been eliminated.

The Olympic participants Hörl/Horst had eliminated the Italians Tobia Marchetto/Jakob Windisch 2:0 (11,15) before losing to the experienced Spanish Paris quarter-finalists Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira in a similarly straightforward 2:0 (-12,-16). Hammarberg/Waller had the upper hand against the Ukrainians Sergej Popow/Eduard Reznik with 2:0 (8,10), against the Dutchmen Leon Luini/Christiaan Varenhorst there was nothing to be gained with a 0:2 (-16,-20). The Klinger sisters lost their round of 16 match against Monika Paulikiene/Aine Raupelyte from Lithuania 0:2 (-23,-18).

After a total of two wins and three defeats, the Klingers were admittedly "happy with their best European Championship result to date. We've never been in the top 10 at a European Championships before," said Dorina Klinger. "Even though it was a mixed tournament, I'm super proud of us and very happy with our placing." Next week, the siblings will serve for the first time at an Elite 16 tournament in Hamburg after securing a place in the main draw. In July in Vienna, they made it via wildcard. After their appearance in Hamburg, they will take a break from competition.