Doppler reflects on first World Tour Finals win

Clemens Doppler and Alex Horst got off to a winning start in Hamburg

World Championship silver medalist Clemens Doppler admitted it took he and teammate Alex Horst some time to warm-up to secure their first ever World Tour Finals win by coming back to beat Spain’s Herrera/Gavira.

The Austrians came mighty close to securing a memorable gold in Vienna only to lose to Evandro/Andre in the final two weeks ago but Doppler admitted afterwards they needed to refocus in what was their first competitive match together since the world champs final.

“We needed to readjust and refocus a little bit,” said the blocker. “I had two weeks off and it was difficult to find the game rhythm again – and it was easy to see that in the first set.

“We almost needed a recap of how we should play but against the Spanish guys it is always tough – they have been one, if not the, most consistent team in the game for the last 10 years so we’re happy to have won against them.

“We played with no pressure and we played some easy beach volleyball. That was the key in Vienna when the pressure was on but tomorrow we play Lucena/Dalhausser, the best team in the world, so we’ll see.

“The big thing for us that makes me proud is that is our first World Tour Finals win. Two years ago in Fort Lauderdale we didn’t win a game.”

The Austrian duo’s game against Lucena/Dalhausser on Thursday will decide who tops Pool A and wins an automatic place in the quarterfinals.

“It might be Nick and Phil but we want to win – we want to win the pool,” added Clemens. “It doesn’t matter who you play it’s going to be a tough match. If you have an off day you’re going lose and if you have a good day you’re going to win.

“One thing for sure is that we’ll have to serve a lot better if we’re going to win.”

You can watch Clemens and Alex’s match against Lucena/Dalhausser live on BeachStream. Click here to sign-up and tune in.

Clemens missed the European Championships with a small injury but returned to Hamburg to partner Horst