- Beach volleyball duo Ludwig/Lippmann experiences setbacks in Hamburg competition
Volleyballer Laura Ludwig, initiating her global swan song tourney, endured two losses. Partnered with Louisa Lippmann, the 38-year-old experienced a 1-2 (25:23, 17:21, 13:15) setback against Swiss duo Anouk Vergé-Dépré/Joana Maeder during the Elite16 stage in Hamburg's Rothenbaum.
Subsequently, Ludwig and Lippmann suffered a 0-2 (19:21, 20:22) loss against the Brazilian team, Agatha/Rebecca. To have a shot at the knockout round, they now need to triumph in their last group game against the unbeaten Lithuanian pair, Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte, scheduled for Friday.
Ehlers and Wickler, the silver medalists from the Olympics, had a moment of panic. Tall blocker Ehlers suffered an injury to his left ankle during a defensive maneuver in the second set against Swiss duo Quentin Mettraux/Jonathan Eiholzer. After a medical pause, his ankle was wrapped. Despite losing the second set, they eventually triumphed 2-1 (21:17, 21:23, 15:9).
To preserve Ehlers for the crucial Friday game against Argentine duo Nicolas and Tomas Capogrosso, they forfeited their second match against Australian pair Mark Nicolaidis and Izac Carracher.
Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann, European champions, emerged victorious in both their matches. They defeated Finnish pair Niina Ahtiainen and Taru Lahti-Liukkonen (21:17, 21:13) and Puerto Rican pair Maria Gonzalez/Allanis Navas (21:13, 21:8).
Germany's second volleyball pair, Paul Henning and Maximilian Just, participated in only one match, losing 0-2 (15:21, 15:21) to Dutch duo Steven van de Velde/Matthew Immers.
Laura Ludwig, being part of the German volleyball scene, is hoping to turn things around in their last group game against Lithuania. Despite their current setbacks, Germany's second pair, Paul Henning and Maximilian Just, will be looking to improve their record in their upcoming match.
