Today was the day for King of the Court: an elimination beach volleyball competition in festival style. Utrecht had the scoop with the kick-off at the Jaarbeursplein square.
The Herrera/Gavira duo won on this first day of the series, which will continue tomorrow in Antwerp. Later this month the US will follow. Thousands of spectators watched the best players in the world compete. DJ Sander van Doorn ended the event with a spectacular show.
Fifteen of the world’s best beach volleyball teams battled for the title in Utrecht. Spectators watched the games from the stands as well as the steps of Utrecht Central Station. The combination of sun and sand created the perfect atmosphere for the athletes on the court. The curiosity about King of the Court created an enormous boost for beach volleyball as a sport.
The first Kings of the Series are Pablo Herrera and Adrián Gavira, who have been a duo for ten years. Dutchman Brouwer found his replacement partner in Stoyanovskiy, with whom he promptly took second place. Meeuwsen, Brouwer’s usual partner, had to drop out due to an injury. Bouter and Varenhorst finished in third place.
Singer Sharon Doorson opened the final accompanied by a stunning display of fireworks, after which the Spanish duo grabbed the title of King of the Court Utrecht. DJ Sander van Doorn ended the kick-off of the series during the after-party at the festival site.
Television stations such as Sky Sports (UK), all channels of Esporte 3 (Spain), Fox Sports (Australia, Africa and Asia) and Eleven Sports (USA) are broadcasting the highlight show. “Wide international coverage means the format is considered very interesting for the sport,” says Wilco Nijland, COO of SportworX.
The FIVB, the International Volleyball Federation, and SportworX announced the launch of King of the Court Series 2018: a faster and rougher version of beach volleyball. Four illuminated stadiums in the Netherlands, Belgium and the US form the battlefields for the series.
King of the Court was conceived of as a form of training. Out of this came a faster form with five teams instead of two. The competition is played during the day, while the spectacular finals and festival take place in the evening.
Share this story
