Germany looking to remain unbeaten in pool D against Italy

Rio de Janeiro, August 11, 2016 – Germany’s Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst are trying to stay unbeaten in pool D against last-minute partners Laura Giombini/Marta Menegatti of Italy on day six. A win by Germany advances them into the elimination stage, a loss ties them with Italy at 2-1, and a win by Canada over Egypt in the other pool match, creates a three-way tie for 1st place.  If Italy loses, they will either be in a three-way tie for 2nd, if Egypt wins, or sole possession of 3rd-place if Canada wins. 

Head to Head

The two teams have never played in FIVB World Tour competition.

Historically the #4 seed has won all four meetings against the #9 seed in the Olympic Games

• Jennifer Kessy/April Ross (4), United States def. Sanne Keizer/Marleen Van Iersel (9), Netherlands, 21-15, 12-21, 15-8 in 56 minutes, Pool Play, London (2012).

• Chen Xue/Xi Zhang (4), China def. Sara Niedrig/Laura Ludwig (9), Germany, 21-14, 21-18 in 41 minutes, Pool Play, Beijing (2008).

• Holly McPeak/Elaine Youngs (4), United States def. Nicole Schnyder-Benoit/Simone Kuhn (9), Switzerland, 22-24, 21-17, 15-12 in 60 minutes, Pool Play, Athens (2004).

• Barbra Fontana/Linda Hanley (4), United States def. Liane Fenwick/Anita Spring (9), Australia, 15-6 in 37 minutes, Contender’s Bracket Round 4, Atlanta (1996).

Laura Ludwig/Kira Walkenhorst, Germany, Seed #4, Pool D, 2-0, MAX Set Ratio, 1.5273 Point Ratio, Qualified 4th with 6,500 Points in the 2015-16 Olympic qualification period

• Laura: January 13, 1986 (30y6m24d), 181 cm (5’11”), 70 kg (155 lbs.), Hometown Berlin, 130th FIVB World Tour event (ranks 19th), seven gold medals, $800,137 career winnings (ranks 11th)

• Kira: November 18, 1990 (25y8m19d), 184 cm (6’0″), 75 kg (167 lbs.), Hometown Essen, 43rd FIVB World Tour event, seven gold medals, $370,187 career winnings (ranks 43rd)

• Laura and Kira have been playing together since 2013. They are playing in their 37th FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour tournament together (ranks 86th), seven gold medals (ranks 10th), $721,275 career winnings (ranks 12th).

• Laura has played in 33 FIVB World Tour final fours with seven gold, 11 silver, nine bronze medals and six 4th place finishes.

• Kira has played in 17 FIVB World Tour final fours with seven gold, three silver, four bronze medals and three 4th place finishes.

• Laura and Kira have played in 11 Final Fours in 2015-2016 (4th Stavanger Major 2015, Gold Yokohama Grand Slam 2015, Bronze Long Beach …

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