Rotterdam, the Netherlands, June 30, 2015 – Germany’s Alexander Walkenhorst and Stefan Windscheif upset Stavanger champions Pedro Solberg and Evandro Goncalves 2-1 (10-21, 21-18, 15-12) Tuesday evening to claim second place in pool L in Rotterdam.
There was a lot at stake, since both teams lost to pool winners Lombardo Ontiveros and Juan Virgen from Mexico earlier in the tournament.
At first it looked like it was going to be an easy evening for the Brazilians, who also won silver this year in Moscow. They won the first set with big numbers: 21-10. But in the second it was more point-by-point, the rallies got longer and the players more aggressive.
Fighting for every point Walkenhorst and Windscheif won the second set and took a two-point lead at 13-11 in the tiebreak to finish it off at 15-12.
“The good thing is that we put all our mistakes in the first set, so we had a chance to win the second and third”, said Walkenhorst, who was not at all happy with the way they played.
“I think it wasn’t our best game. I think most teams can play better than we did, but now we are fine with the situation, the second place in the pool.”
Windscheif added: “I think this was our worst pool play ever, but it can only get better now. We survived with second place and now the tournament can begin.”
The 27-year old defence player, who is participating in his third World Championship, had some amazing digs in the second and third set, but admitted it was not easy with the low sun, blinding him on occasion. “On one side you can see nothing with this evening sun. You see the ball one moment and the next it’s already on your arms.”
“Maybe that is an excuse for the level we played”, Walkenhorst joked. “And for the other guys as well.” The Brazilians will have to wait and see if they will rank amongst the best eight numbers three to be able to continue in the elimination round.