European Roundnet Tour Series '24 (ETS) has finally arrived - Barcelona Preview
Buckle up for a weekend of epic Roundnet battles in Barcelona, Spain! This Saturday, March 30th, 93 teams across 4 divisions will clash for dominance. But the competition doesn't stop there - Sunday, March 31st, heats up with 65 mixed teams battling it out in 3 divisions. Who will reign supreme?
For newcomers, roundnet, also known as Spikeball, is a fast-paced and dynamic sport that has been gaining popularity worldwide. It involves two teams of two players each, who take turns serving and hitting the ball off a small trampoline-like net. The objective is to spike the ball in such a way that the opposing team cannot return it within three touches.
Join our European Roundnet Community on our Discord channel, connect with players from all around Europe, and voice your opinion on roundnet-related topics.
Open Pro Preview
Enter new writer: Jaroslav Cabala from team Never Cold.
The fact that this is the start of the season makes it, in my view, almost impossible to predict the podium. There are quite a few teams that can end up on it. It is gonna be fun to see how much people improved throughout winter.
Vibin (L. Vandaele/R. Florinda) is easily the biggest name in the tournament. They already won ETS Prague ´23 together as a mash-up team. If they bring their a-game, they'll be hard to beat in a 3-set series. However, they won't have it easy as everyone will want to prove themselves against them (***cough*** Never Cold ***cough***)
German duo Christiani/Harder is, in my opinion, a team with the best combined serve pressure. And since serve pressure is the name of the game, they are capable of winning the whole thing. I can even see them taking 1. place after the group stage.
Bazzani/Borsotti - another super talented team, they played well in Prague at the Indoor Masters in December ´23 (2nd place). I root for them, I like their game 🙂.
Pour Sophie - Louis Mareschal and Dorian Ameziane. I know they definitely grinded a lot and they won the tournament in Montpellier recently. They looked great there: in offense, defense, and on the serving line beating a Canadian team V. Mathieu/Gagnon. I think they will be on the podium 🙂
Never Cold (Cabala/Stachiewicz) - our goal is to just improve and play better than last year. We'll see how it goes 🙂 A dream is still to win an ETS, but every year it's harder and harder since everyone is getting better and better 🙂.
And there are more: Clark/Felix, Bermejo Passeti/Baumeler, Nerds in Disguise (Jindra/Handschmann), Synchronized (Stoisser/Gagnon) or Hors Service (Caux-Ramon, Lacombe)
Honestly, there are too many teams that can make it to top 8. It's gonna be fun 🙂.
Fun for Spectators Too
Even if you're not participating in the tournament, it's still a great event to attend as a spectator. The energy on the court is contagious, and watching the players execute incredible spikes and diving saves is truly awe-inspiring.
There will be food stalls and refreshments available, so you can enjoy a snack while cheering on your favorite teams. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow roundnet enthusiasts and immerse yourself in the vibrant roundnet community of Barcelona.
Women's Pro Roundnet: The Fight for Domination Begins
This year's European Roundnet season marks a historic moment for women's play. For the first time, a women's Pro division requires players to qualify beforehand. This exciting development has led to a strong showing, with 8 teams competing in the Pro division and 24 in the contender division – a total of 32 women's teams taking the field!
European Roundnet Women's Pro Status: Clearing the Fog for Aspiring Athletes
However, at the end of 2023, European Roundnet women´s pro status announcement raised eyebrows. The criteria – reaching the top 12 at Euros and the top 20 in individual rankings – were unveiled by the European Roundnet board after the 2023 season concluded, leaving a shroud of mystery around their selection.
While some might argue the chosen metrics are debatable, the bigger concern lies in the lack of transparency. The board's decision to implement these seemingly arbitrary cutoffs (top 12 Euros, top 20 ranking) without prior explanation or justification left many players feeling confused and questioning the fairness of the process. A pre-season announcement outlining clear criteria, or a points system based on performance throughout the year, could go a long way in fostering transparency and allowing athletes to strategically navigate their path to pro status.
Thankfully, the European Roundnet board has shown a commitment to improvement for the 2024 season. By acknowledging the concerns surrounding the pro-status selection process, they've proactively addressed the issue. This bodes well for the future of the sport, ensuring a clearer and fairer path for aspiring pros. The qualification criteria can be read on the EURA website.
Favorites
On paper, we should see another Tiramisu (Kadlec/Leybourne) vs. Nova (Kunzelmann/Paysan) finals. Hard for me to say if there's a team who can realistically challenge them. Nova dominated Tiramisu in their first clash three weeks ago at the 3rd Mallorca Open, winning in straight sets (21:16, 21:18). But I love surprises. I'd say Chitty Bang (Washburn/Lorenz) could give them the most trouble and get on the podium.
Anyway, I predict Nova to win and beat Tiramisu 2-0 in the finals or semis.
Whether you're a player, a spectator, or someone looking to try out a new sport, this tournament is not to be missed. Get ready for a weekend filled with intense matches, incredible spikes, and a whole lot of fun!