On July 23, the fourth stage of the “ERGO Open” Latvian championship in beach volleyball will start on Majori beach in Jūrmala. During the absence of the Latvian Olympics, men will be favorites again Alexander Samoilov a Jānis Šmēdiņš, but for women forecast cards are mixed in exchange duets with the participation of Varvara Brailko and Anete Nāmīte, reports Latvian Volleyball Federation (LVF).
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This will be the third and final stage this summer before the final, in which both men and women will compete. In addition, for the last time there will be foreign pairs in the group of participants, in the final Latvian winners will be determined by Latvian duets among themselves. 23.-25. A total of 69 teams, including 15 from abroad, have applied for the July stage.
The winners of the first two stages, Mārtiņš Pļaviņš and Edgars Točs, are already at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Therefore, the main favorites will again be their fiercest competitors Aleksandrs Samoilovs / Jānis Šmēdiņš, who celebrated the victory in Cēsis a week ago in the absence of the Olympians. This year’s U-22 European vice-champions and Cēsis stage finalists Artūrs Rinkevičs / Ardis Daniels Bedrītis, as well as such pairs as Rinalds Aišpurs / Mihails Samoilovs, Arnis Reliņš / Mārcis Jirgensons, Sandris Andrejevs / Toms Benjvs / bets Haralds Regža and Edgars Igaunis, who will have to start the competition from the qualifying round.
Of particular interest is Tomas Šmēdiņš’s departure to the square, who talked to Czech Leo Williams in pairs, as well as Matīss Gabdulļins, whose partner will be Atvars Vilde.
A seasonal record has been set in the men’s competition – 47 pairs have applied, seven of which, including Audrjus Knašs and Patriks Stankevičs, who were placed in the tournament with the fourth number, represent Lithuania. The 24 best duos will take part in the main competition.
The women’s competition promises to be unpredictable, where after Tīna Graudiņa and Anastasia Kravčenoka went to Tokyo last weekend in Cēsis, the tone was determined by Lithuanian players. Last year’s U-20 European Champion Anete Namiķe this time with the help of Christ Paegli, but her usual companion Varvara Brailko will play with Deniel Konstantinov.
Ambitions for high places are also Liene Šimkuse and Inesei Jursonei, which took the fourth place in Cesis. The line will include talented young women Kate Vasiljeva and Elīza Dreimane, several new Latvian national team candidates in volleyball halls, as well as six Lithuanian and two Estonian duos. 22 teams have entered the women’s tournament, of which 16 will play in the main tournament.
July 23 at 16.00 Jūrmala stage will start with qualification fights, the next day there will be a group tournament and the first round of playoffs, while on July 25, the decisive matches will also be available on live television. The prize fund for the “ERGO Open” stage is 1,500 euros for both women and men.
This year, the stages of the championship are supported by Saulkrasti, Ventspils, Cēsis, Jūrmala and Liepāja City Councils. In the city of Kurzeme, Liepāja, for the first time after a long break, the state beach volleyball championship stage will take place, from August 20 to 22, hosting the final tournament, in which the medalists of the Latvian championship will be determined.
“ERGO Open 2021” Jurmala stage calendar
July 23 16.00 – qualifying games
July 24 10.00 – group tournament
July 24 18.20 – first round of playoffs
July 25 09.20 – quarterfinals
July 25 11.00 – Women’s Semifinals – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
July 25 12.00 – Men’s Semifinals – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
July 25 13.00 – Men’s Semifinals – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
July 25 14.30 – game for 3rd place for women – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
July 25 15.30 – game for 3rd place in men – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
July 25 4.30 pm – Women’s Final – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
July 25 17.30 – men’s final – “Sportacentrs.com TV”
ERGO Open 2021 stage calendar
The first stage: 17-19. June, Saulkrasti (for men)
Second stage: 2-4. July, Ventspils (men / women)
Third stage: 16.-18. July, Cesis (men / women)
Fourth stage: 23.-25. July, Jurmala (men / women)
Final tournament: 20-22. August, Liepaja (men / women)
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