Roundnet Royalty Gathers in Munich: Record-Breaking Masters Makes Statement!
Forget about the Colosseum, Munich Masters just became the hottest arena in Europe for Roundnet! Surpassing even the prestigious ETS Bern, this German tournament smashed attendance records with a staggering 264 teams. Buckle up as we dive into the stories that unfolded at the Munich Masters, fueled by yFood and Krombacher Spezi!
Master attendance
In a nail-biting showdown, Munich Masters, sanctioned by EURA, edged out ETS Bern by a single team—264 to 263—across two intense days. Now you know why I put “so far” in the preview about ETS Bern😉.
But why the big numbers? Look at the map of Europe: both cities sit centrally, making them easily accessible by land and air. Plus, Germany boasts the largest player base across Europe, a fact that EURA and Spikeball have often overlooked. Just think about tournaments in the past in places such as Ireland, the UK, Romania, Latvia, or even this year's ETS in Helsinki, Finland.
Depth of Women’s Field
The Munich Masters showcased the depth of European women's roundnet. A staggering 46 and 51 teams competed in the women's division, respectively, fueling a massive 100 and 104 mixed/co-ed teams. This difference reflects the additional women's and mixed divisions offered at Munich compared to Bern's two. In the open category, Bern took the win with 117 teams across three divisions, compared to Munich's 109 teams spread across five.
This raises the question: are more divisions the way to go for future tournaments? Let us know your thoughts here!
Finishing on Time: A Refreshing Change
European roundnet fans are accustomed to late finishes, sometimes stretching past 9:30 pm. The reasons vary, but that's a discussion for another time.
The Munich Roundnet Community (MRC) organization team proved that timely finishes are possible. Both days, all players were off the court by 6 pm! Sure, there were adjustments like best-of-three finals to 15 points and an earlier 7:30 am start (even before the courts officially opened). But it worked!
The secret sauce? Incredible teamwork from the "unsung heroes" - the volunteers and everyone who pitched in, as depicted below by Ruwen Schröder - Roundnet Sports Photography.
The MRC is a seasoned tournament organizer, running events since 2020 (at least twice a year). For example, in 2023, they hosted a U21 Championship at the same venue. Building on their experience, they implemented the lessons learned (apparently, 6 pm means 6 pm in Germany!) This year, under the leadership of Carolin Marquart, Fiona Rocholl, and the entire team, the Munich Masters was a resounding success, as I can personally attest!
Results - ETS Bern
Open Pro - Eisenträger/Siemer 🇩🇪 played and won.
Women Pro - Nova (Kunzelmann🇨🇭/Paysan 🇫🇷) played and won.
Mixed Pro - Triple X (Siemer 🇩🇪/Kunzelmann🇨🇭) played and won.
Results - MUC Masters
Open Pro - Eisenträger/Siemer 🇩🇪 played and won.
Women Pro - Tiramisu (Leybourne/Kadlec 🇦🇹) played and won.
Mixed Pro - Racooligans (Claus/Knauf 🇩🇪) played and won.
However, Tiramisu—the Austrian powerhouse—has danced on the edge of victory and defeat. Four finals, four heart-pounding moments. Three times, Nova stood as their nemesis (at the 3rd Mallorca Open, ETS Barcelona, and ETS Bern), while Chitty Bang (Washburn🇩🇰/Lorenz 🇩🇪) delivered the decisive blow at ETS Bologna. These battles have forged resilience, pushing Tiramisu forward.
Speaking of Austria🇦🇹, the weekend was a showcase for their strong women's scene. They claimed podium finishes in the Advanced, Contender, and even a double-threat in the Pro division! Tiramisu secured the top spot, while Curly Fries (Teskey/Kornek) secured a well-deserved third place.
To learn even more about the storylines, check out Roundnet Germany's report about the weekend! It is worth starting to learn 🇩🇪.
Before you go - ETS Helsinki July 13-14
Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure! Finland, the exotic roundnet destination, awaits. Sure, it might not be a stone’s throw away for most of you, but trust me—the Roundnet Finland crew has rolled out the red carpet. And it’s not just about roundnet; Finland boasts breathtaking landscapes, thousands of serene lakes, saunas, and a dash of vodka. What’s not to love?
👉 Sign up here: ETS Helsinki 2024 via Fwango
ETS Championship 2024: Vienna Calling! August 10-11!
Mark your calendars! Less than 6 weeks remain until the European Roundnet Tour Series Championship in Vienna, Austria. Over 150 teams have already secured their spots, but don’t dilly-dally—prices go up on July 11th! Check out the extra website made for the event!
While it’s not a competition 😉, imagine being there—playing, cheering, and soaking up the electric atmosphere. With 12 different divisions (including intermediate and beginner), you’ll witness the pinnacle of Roundnet in Europe.
👉 Sign up here: ETS Championship Vienna 2024 via Fwango
Whether you’re chasing spikes in Helsinki or savoring the vibes in Vienna, these tournaments promise unforgettable moments. See you on the court! Attacke!
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