Inspired Latvians looking to take back their Crown
Editorial
The last few years have been incredible for the beach volleyball Latvian pair made up of Anastasija Kravcenoka and Tina Graudina, a period that has seen them achieve great results on the World Tour stage, become EuroBeachVolley Champions in Moscow just a couple of years back and most recently, narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal in Tokyo where they finished 4th.
Now, just a few days later, they are back in action and more motivated than ever to claim back their European Crown, this time playing on the amazing courts of the Austrian capital, Vienna in the midst of a numerous and enthusiastic crowd.
Considered one of the favourites before the start of the tournament, the Latvians are now widely regarded as the main favourites following the withdrawal of both the Swiss European reigning champions and Tokyo Bronze medalists, Joana Heidrich and Anouk Vergé-Dépré, and the experienced German duo of Laura Ludwig and Maggie Kozuch due to injury.
Enjoying the incredible atmosphere at the Red Bull Arena, the Latvians got off to a flying start at EuroBeachVolley 2021, winning comfortably in two sets their Pool D matches against Placette/Richard (FRA) and Wojtasik/Kociolek (POL), wins that guaranteed them top of the pool and a spot directly in the Round of 16.
Anastasija Kravcenoka“It's amazing to be here, because Vienna is every time a big beach volleyball event and a big celebration for players and fans! I already can feel this atmosphere and it's gonna be even better in the next days. I have goosebumps having our fans here! At the Olympics we had only our Olympic team and only a few people in the stands, so having people cheering for you is extremely positive feeling and it gives more energy to play!”