www.copenhagenfootvolley.dk

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Korsika, den smukke middelhavsø, er kendt for sine storslåede klippe landskaber og turkisblå hav, men i de senere år har den også markeret sig med et unikt footvolley fællesskab. Sporten har fundet sin plads på øens strande, og myten fortæller, at det hele begyndte for omkring 35 år siden. En brasiliansk footvolleyspiller fra den berømte Ipanema Beach i Rio de Janeiro skulle efter sigende have slået sig ned på Korsika, hvor han introducerede sporten for øens unge. Siden da er footvolley blevet en integreret del af den lokale sportskultur, og mange af øens talenter har kastet sig over sporten fra en tidlig alder.

For nylig drog de danske spillere Morten Levinsen, Mathias Sander, Mikkel Hermansen og Tobias Barbosa til Cargèse i Korsika for at deltage til en træningscamp og turnering. Forventningerne var, at drengene kunne være med på niveauet, vinde et par kampe og samtidig opnå værdifuld erfaring. Resultaterne var en smule skuffende, men spillemæssigt var indsatsen godkendt, selvom det ind imellem stod klart, at manglende erfaring spillede ind i de afgørende øjeblikke.
Især Morten og Mathias viste positive tegn på udvikling og var tæt på at nå kvartfinalen i en aldeles tæt kamp, som blev afgjort til allersidst i 3. sæt. Kampen kunne lige så godt have tippet den anden vej, hvis ikke det var for et par kontroversielle dommerkendelser.

Footvolley på Korsika har længe været relativt ukendt, da øens isolerede beliggenhed har holdt sporten uden for Europas radar. Derfor vakte det stor overraskelse, da korsikanske spillere for første gang deltog i et europæisk mesterskab og sensationelt løb med titlen som europamestre i 2018. Denne bemærkelsesværdige bedrift, præsteret af Antoine Ottaviani og Lulu Allessandri, vækker stadig stor beundring i Europa.

Det var derfor heller ikke en overraskelse, at de tidligere lokale europamestre mødtes i finalen. Dog spillede de i dette års herrefinale mod hinanden i en spændende dyst med Lulu Allessandri og Anghjulu Plasenzotti på den ene side, og Antoine Ottaviani og Dume Susini på den anden. Kampen blev spillet på et meget højt niveau og spillerne viste sublim teknik og akrobatik. Til sidst kunne Lulu og Anghjulu løfte trofæet som vindere!

I kvindeturneringen sejrede duoen Antonia Missethan og Jacqueline, hvilket var særligt imponerende, da Jacqueline kun har spillet footvolley i et år. Hendes hurtige udvikling blev dog styrket af Antonia, som er tredobbelt europamester, hvis erfaring og ekspertise bidrog væsentligt til deres sejr.

I Korsikas ideelle omgivelser, hvor strand, klima, kompetetiv rivalisering og footvolleykulturen smelter sammen, opfordres øens unge til at spille fra en tidlig alder. Det er derfor ikke overraskende, at øen har udviklet nogle af de bedste footvolleyspillere i Europa, og vundet det franske mesterskab otte gange. Korsikas strande er desuden kendt for deres bløde og synkende sand, som gør det udfordrende at bevæge sig i, men netop dette tvinger spillere til at blive stærkere og hurtigere, hvilket på den lange bane kan give en fordel.

På trods af de skuffende resultater var de danske spillere begejstrede for oplevelsen på Korsika. “Vi har lært så meget, mødt så mange skønne mennesker, og det har været særdeles inspirerende at se og opleve et så integreret footvolley fællesskab i et lokalsamfund. Sikke et fantastisk footvolley-eventyr i dette paradis! Vi ser allerede frem til at vende tilbage næste år” udtalte de med stor optimisme.

En stor tak skal lyde til Bolao og Corsica Footvolley for deres støtte, og for en meget flot organiseret turnering.
Vi ser frem til at følge de danske spillere i fremtidige turneringer.

Se billeder fra turneringen herunder.

English version below

Danish footvolley players participate in
Corsica Open 2024

Corsica, the beautiful Mediterranean island, is known for its magnificent rocky landscapes and turquoise sea, but in recent years, it has also made a name for itself with a unique footvolley community. The sport has found its place on the island’s beaches, and legend has it that it all began about 35 years ago. A Brazilian footvolley player from the famous Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro is said to have settled in Corsica, where he introduced the sport to the island’s youth. Since then, footvolley has become an integral part of the local sports culture, with many of the island’s talents taking up the sport from an early age.

Recently, Danish players Morten Levinsen, Mathias Sander, Mikkel Hermansen, and Tobias Barbosa traveled to Cargèse in Corsica to participate in a training camp and tournament. The expectations were that the team could compete at the level, win a few matches, and gain valuable experience. The results were somewhat disappointing, but the overall performance was acceptable, although it was clear at times that a lack of experience played a role in the crucial moments. Morten and Mathias, in particular, showed positive signs of development and came close to reaching the quarterfinals in an extremely tight match, which was decided at the very end in the third set. The match could just as easily have gone the other way if not for a few controversial refereeing decisions.

Footvolley in Corsica has long been relatively unknown, as the island’s isolated location has kept the sport off Europe’s radar. Thus, it was a great surprise when Corsican players first participated in a European Championship and sensationally claimed the title of European champions in 2018. This remarkable achievement, accomplished by Antoine Ottaviani and Lulu Allessandri, still commands great admiration across Europe.

It was therefore no surprise that the local former European champions faced each other in the men’s final. The game was an exciting contest between two local pairs: Lulu Allessandri and Anghjulu Plasenzotti on one side, and Antoine Ottaviani and Dume Susini on the other. The match was played at a very high level, with the players showcasing sublime technique and acrobatics, and in the end, Lulu and Anghjulu were able to lift the trophy as winners.

In the women’s tournament, the duo of Antonia Missethan and Jacqueline won the tournament, which was particularly impressive given that Jacqueline had only been playing footvolley for a year. Her rapid development was bolstered by Antonia, a three-time European champion, whose experience and expertise significantly contributed to their victory.

In Corsica’s ideal environment, where the combination of beaches, climate, competitive rivalry, and a footvolley culture that encourages many to start at a young age comes together, it’s no surprise that the island has produced some of the best footvolley players in Europe and won the French championship eight times. Corsica’s beaches are also known for their soft and sinking sand, which makes movement challenging, but this very challenge forces players to become stronger and faster, ultimately giving them a long-term advantage.

Despite the disappointing results, the Danish players were thrilled with their experience in Corsica. “We have learned so much, met so many wonderful people, and it has been incredibly inspiring to see and experience such an integrated footvolley community in a local area. What a fantastic footvolley adventure in this paradise! We are already looking forward to returning next year,” they stated with great optimism.

A big thanks to Bolao and Corsica Footvolley for their support and for organizing such a well-organized tournament.
We look forward to following the Danish team in future competitions.

See pictures from the tournament above.