the last act “at home”

Vice world champion, two-time European champion, nine-time national champion – Clemens Doppler from Kirchdorf said goodbye to his fans with this impressive beach volleyball business card. On September 2nd, the great career of the soon to be 43-year-old ended on red-white-red ground – namely at the Austrian Championships in Baden, where Doppler with Thomas Kunert in the intermediate round against the later fourth-placed Jakob Reiter/Laurenc Grössig after leading the set in all decisive tie-break almost 15:17 lost.

“It’s a pity. I would have liked to have played against Alex (Horst, his World Championship silver partner 2017, note) again. But unfortunately we didn’t make it, the air was a bit out after the emotional days”said Doppler on Center Court, which was filled to capacity. “Nevertheless, this tournament was the perfect setting to say goodbye and ‘Bye Austria’.” It is quite possible that the native of Upper Austria will still play one or the other event abroad. The number of 231 completed international tournaments already reads impressively. Especially when you consider that Doppler had to cope with three cruciate ligament tears.

“closely connected”

“It feels right. I will continue to be closely associated with my sport in the future. Beach volleyball has given me so much – I can give a lot back or pass it on”said the veteran, who as a trained instructor will work intensively with young people.

The titles in Baden went to the top seeded pairings. Sisters Ronja and Dorina Klinger were among the women, and Robin Seidl/Moritz Pristauz triumphed among the men. The duo of Beach-Union Upper Austria, Eva Freiberger and Stephanie Wiesmeyr, remained without a medal. In the game for third place, the two had to admit defeat to the 16-year-old team Lia Berger/Lilli Hohenauer 0:2 (19:21, 16:21).

“Nevertheless we are satisfied. We gave everything and didn’t play a bad tournament”said Freiberger from Braunau, who had already presented several times on the international stage this year.