Some are talking about a medal, others are concentrating on their game and delivering without lazing around. Swiss beach volleyball players Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner belong to the second category.
08.08.2024, 05:30
08.08.2024, 08:08
SDA
There are moments in a match when you know: Nothing can go wrong today. Nina Brunner had those moments late on Tuesday evening in the first set of the quarter-final against the reigning world champions Sara Hughes/Kelly Cheng. At 16:14, she fended off an attack from the Americans with a miraculous foot save.
"That was pure luck," says the 28-year-old from Zug, fending off all congratulations and laughing out loud. "I'm not actually a good footballer." The fact that they actually won the point was also down to a bit of skill. "And then I thought: 'yes, today is a good day'."
Nina Brunner and her partner Tanja Hüberli, who is three years older, have only had good days in Paris so far. In three group matches and two knockout matches, they have yet to concede a set - only once, in the round of 16, did one go into extra time (23:21). "And we immediately had to answer questions about what was going on," says Tanja Hüberli in amazement. "We've already noticed how expectations of us have risen."
No medal announced
The two women from Central Switzerland had not made any grandiose announcements before their second Olympic Games, although as two-time European champions and winners of the Elite 16 tournament in Tepic, Mexico, they were definitely among the favorites. Three years ago, they were defeated in the round of 16 by the eventual bronze medalists Anouk Vergé-Dépré/Joana Mäder. Now Tanja Hüberli says after the quarter-final: "The quarter-final was cool. We knew we had nothing left to lose."
The statement is somewhat surprising. After all, you're already close to a medal. But Tanja Hüberli explains: "Our starting position was easier because the Americans had announced gold." That is far from the Swiss women's minds. "We never announced a medal, so we don't have to redeem anything." It is fitting that Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner refused to look at the tableau and only looked ahead to the next game. "We give it our all and see what comes out of it." They have done well with this attitude.
Calmer and more consistent
"In general, something has developed this season that we're doing even better than last year," says a satisfied Nina Brunner. "We've become a bit calmer and more consistent." Of course, this also has to do with experience. "We've often been in situations like this," she says, "and we've also failed in situations like this. And then talked about it." They are working hard on themselves in this area.
Something has also changed since reaching the semi-finals. "Yes, of course we want a medal now," says Tanja Hüberli and laughs out loud. To do so, they either have to win the semi-final. Then they are guaranteed at least silver. Or, if they lose on Thursday, win the bronze medal match one day later.
Opponent born in Lausanne
On form, anything is possible. Their opponents, the Canadians Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson, have had a very different course. They lost two of their three group matches - including against Esmée Böbner/Zoé Vergé-Dépré - and only made it to the round of 16 via the play-off. Since then, however, they have improved significantly.
The 32-year-old Wilkerson was born in Lausanne. Her father is Herb Johnson, a basketball legend in French-speaking Switzerland in the 1980s and 90s.
