2nd year in a row and Vienna didn't stop to impress us. Bigger training groups, Austrian professional players coaching, surprises and expected results at A1 Major arena, thousands of amazing fans – all in one week of the A1 Major Series in Austria.
The 2018 A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch was in the Austrian capital following the success of last year's World Championships. Austria is home to some of the most loyal beach volleyball fans, and between 1st and 5th August, tens of thousands of fanatical spectators were watching the globe's greatest teams battle it out for golden glory.
{gallery}blog/28-09-2018/gallery{/gallery}The Red Bull Beach Arena was a big party place every day. After daily morning trainings we ran to the Arena to join the party and watch the best teams battling in front of one of the best crowds in the world.
One of the most sensational plays was from the Norwegian Andres Mol & Christian Sørum. Undefeated for the previous 19 matches, the Viking Team topped the podium of the last two main tournaments (the Gstaad Major, the European Championship and won the A1 Vienna Major presented by Swatch at the Danube Island). The gold medal lifted the Vikings to the top of the world rankings.
If nobody around the world is finding any answer for the Norwegians’ success, neither are they. The key to keep winning games, they say, is just enjoying every second in the court. «We just have a lot of fun playing volleyball and off the court», – Sørum said.
{gallery}blog/28-09-2018/gallery2{/gallery}We didn't know the secrets to their success either but same as the Vikings we enjoy every second on the court and specifically in Vienna! We can train anywhere but only in Vienna we train next to the best professional teams in the world. What can be better than to stay after the trainings and watch Herrera / Gavira, Brouwer / Meeuwsen or Lucena / Dalhausser playing a friendly game on the next court J. It makes even more interesting to follow their games and competing at the Red Bull Arena.
This unique experience makes the training week in Vienna truly unforgettable and inspiring. We managed to train, join the A1 Major party, explore beautiful Vienna and have lots of fun!
