St. Pölten, May 8, 2008. Even less than a month ago the winter returned to Europe. While everyone was hoping for spring, most Europeans were forced to unpack their snow shovels again. In Austria the only white coating left now lays on the peaks of the mountains.
The skies have cleared just like on the rest of the continent. The sun is shining and the temperatures are worthy of summer time. These are ideal conditions for the Austrian Masters of the NESTEA European Championship Tour that will be held in St. Pölten from Friday until next Monday. Europe's best duos will be playing for a 100,000 € prize money and important ranking list points to qualify for this year’s Final in Hamburg next July where the new European Champions will be crowned.
Austrian Beach Volleyball enthusiast fans have taken a special interest in their home-grown success story as Clemens Doppler and Peter Gartmayer were awarded the gold medal last year in Valencia. Doppler/Gartmayer are now aiming at similar success in front of their home fans in St. Pölten.¨
Winter's final surrender and the summer finally spreading across Europe let the organizers of the Swiss agency Global Sports Marketing (GSM) – which is in charge of managing the tour on behalf of the CEV - beaming brighter than the sun: "Beach Volleyball pros and their fans really could not ask for better conditions than what we have right now", Hinnerk Femerling, Managing Director Operations of the Zurich based marketing agency Global says.
His assessment is certainly right. The ambiance the athletes will come upon in St. Pölten meets the highest international standards. The matches will be played in the former tennis stadium that used to host tournaments of the ATP series. The stadium has since been re-modeled into a multifunctional event arena - a place where Beach Volleyball stars will also feel quite at home.
But not only has the stadium been filled with sand. The makers have also brought the beach to the surrounding area and created a wonderful beach club atmosphere. Femerling invites the Beach Volleyball fans to come to the capital city of Lower Austria. Not only to experience sport at the highest enjoyable level in living colors but also to enjoy the flair that only Beach Volleyball can offer: "It just feels great to feel the sand between your toes again."
Fans attending the tournament within the stadium in St. Pölten can not only watch the men and women serve and spike on the courts but also participate in a MMS-to-Screen competition. The goal is to take a picture or make a short film sequence with your own mobile phone. The best result will be rewarded with an invitation to the VIP area.
Semifinals and finals of the Austrian Masters - scheduled for next Sunday and Monday - will be broadcast live on
www.laola1.tv
Live coverage of the Austrian Masters, starting from the 1rst round of the Main Draw, is also provided by
www.bwin.com
For more information about the NESTEA European Championship Tour visit:
Beach Volleyball - European Championship Tour