Batrane & Jones riding the wave of the 2012 London Olympics

Lucerne, Switzerland, May 12, 2015 – Issa Batrane and Harry Jones have won only two out of three matches at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships U21 so far, but the English qualifiers are still having the time of their life. Not only are they blown away by the Swiss hospitality in Lucerne, playing at the World Champs is a dream come true, says Jones (18). A dream that was inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games. “I think the Olympics have been a massive source of inspiration for me”, says Jones. “It was awesome. I was able to get some tickets and I was able to go and watch the most amazing beach volleyball I have ever seen in my life. I was fourteen or something and that inspired me to push on for the last four years and to be here at the World Champs.” His partner Batrane (18) totally agrees. “For me it was definitely inspiring. I mostly got to go to indoor games. I was more an indoor player and I have switched over to beach in the last couple of years. Watching that and meeting some of the players was a great inspiration to be the next generation to do this.” Lucky losers Jones and Batrane started their first FIVB age-group World Championships on Wednesday with qualification. They beat Greece, but lost in the final round to Poland. On the verge of going home they were added to the main draw at the last moment, as lucky losers. Seeded 31st in …

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