Laura Ludwig enjoying her last dance at EuroBeachVolley
News
Beach Volleyball legend Laura Ludwig announced during the Paris 2024, her 5th Olympic Games, that she is retiring from the sport in a few weeks. The CEV EuroBeachVolley 2024, her 17th appearance at this event, is one of her farewell tournaments.
Exactly 20 years ago, Laura Ludwig made her first appearance at EuroBeachVolley 2004 in Timmendorfer, Germany together with Sara Goller. Her debut at age 18 didn't bring a spectacular result, but already two years later (2006) at the European Championships in The Hague she and her partner were only a step from the podium, finishing 4th. Through the years her career was blooming and she became one of the most decorated players. Now, Laura Ludwig came back to the Netherlands for her last EuroBeachVolley dance. Although she starts the tournament in Arnhem, she might come back to The Hague if again she will reach the last four.
38-year-old Laura Ludwig, the Olympic champion from Rio de Janeiro, has in her impressive cabinet already nine EuroBeachVolley medals - including as many as four golds. Her most recent medal at this event is bronze won with her current partner Louisa Lippmann in Vienna last year.
Laura Ludwig"I have to say every EuroBeachVolley is special, always special by itself, because there's always a chance to go really forward and go to the podium"
"It's always nice here in the Netherlands, one of my first European Championships was here in the Netherlands, in The Hague with my first partner Sara. A lot of family and friends are coming here and my sons, so I can enjoy it a lot" - added Ludwig.
On Wednesday Laura Ludwig with her partner Louisa Lippmann recorded two convincing victories against against Dunarova/Mokra and Kotnik/Lovsin in Pool E, securing a spot in the next phase of competition.
"It's really cool to play here. A lot of Germans are coming as well and the Dutch people love the spor, so it's great to play EuroBeachVolley here. I'm really happy about how our performance went today. We wanted to go on the fire and so we did in two matches today and that's why I'm so proud. That is fun. That's how I want to finish the season with Louisa."
On Thursday, at 18:00 in Arnhem, Laura Ludwig and Louisa Lippmann will lock horns with local favourites Brecht Piersma and Wies Bekhuis in Round of 24.