Larnaka, Cyprus, July 29, 2016 – Katerina and Anastasia Yiasoumi are turning out to be the home crowd favourites at the FIVB U19 World Championships in Larnaka. The Cypriot twins booked their second pool win on Friday after they had defeated Sierra Leone on Thursday and thereby secured a spot in the elimination rounds.
On centre court and cheered on by dozens of local school kids, the 16-year old Yiasoumi twins defeated Peru’s Angie Serna and Besna Villegas 2-1 (15-21, 21-16 15-6).
“The fact that we lost the first set didn’t affect us at all”, said Katerina after the match. “On the contrary. It gave us an extra incentive, to win the all-important second set. With the crowd pushing us all the way, we improved a lot in all areas of play, and had no difficulties winning the second set.”
“I totally agree with Katerina”, added her twin sister Anastasia. “Winning the second set gave us a psychological boost. We remained concentrated throughout the tie-break and with the help of our coach, we won easily.”
As the second Cypriot team, and their only international experience being 25th at the CEV U20 last year in Larnaka, they are doing surprisingly better than first seeded Zakchouia and Chatzikonstanta, who are also in the next round, but with only one win. “The level of the teams in our pool is not that strong”, explained Anastasia. “So we did our best and the good results came.”
“We did expect to do well”, Katerina added. “We try to give our best all the time and try to win of course.”
“And of course we have an advantage over the other teams regarding the weather, we’re more used to it”, said Anastasia. “But also we have the people behind us. And that is also very important.”
Her sister added. “It brings a bit of extra pressure also, because we have to do well.” Anastasia: “But we try to stay calm and do our best. When you do that the results will come.”
There is another advantage they have over the other teams and that’s being twins, Katerina said. “It’s easier for us, because most of the time we know what the other one thinks and what she is planning. Because we are always together. On the court we don’t have to talk that much as the other teams.”
Quick Links•
U19 World Championships Larnaka, Cyprus 2016 - website•
Qualification - Men•
Qualification - Women•
Main draw - Men•
Main draw - Women