Stare Jablonki, Poland, July 7, 2013 – “Anything can happen when you are in a flow”, Alexander Brouwer from the Netherlands said about their sudden success at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Mazury 2013.
Brouwer (23) and Robert Meeuwsen (25) beat Brazil’s Ricardo Santos and his new partner Alvaro Filho 2-0 (21-18 21-16) in the final.
It was a big step from a career’s best 5th place at the Fuzhou Open only this year. “In sports they sometimes talk about flow, being in a flow. I think this tournament is a perfect example, after the pool play, of playing in a flow. With ultimate focus and with all the energy we had.”
The Dutch men, who teamed up in 2011, obtained the A-status in the Netherlands along the way, which means they get financial support from the Dutch Olympic federation.
“Our goal for this tournament was to reach the quarterfinals”, Brouwer said. “A big step for us because by reaching the quarterfinals we would reach the A-status. But it turned out to be only the first step.”
“Our coach had to remind us after every match to reset our goals, because we were so happy after every match that it almost felt like we already won this tournament. I think this is a good example of staying focussed and not thinking about the results but only thinking about how to play your own game.”
It was a great honour for them to play against Brazil’s former world and Olympic champion Ricardo in the final. “He is a living legend”, Meeuwsen said. “And still playing after reaching everything already. He is still a great player and he always will be.”