Intro:

German pair Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst were crowned European champions after defeating Russian duo Evgenia Ukolova and Ekaterina Birlova in the final in Klagenfurt on Saturday (1st August).

Script:

Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst got off to a fast start in the European beach volleyball championships, when they took on ninth seeds Evgenia Ukolova and Ekaterina Birlova.

The German duo quickly established an 8-2 lead in the first set and never looked back.

Their Russian rivals battled hard to pull themselves into contention, but the fourth seeds always had a comfortable cushion and went one set up by winning 21-18.

The second set was a more even affair, but once again the Germans proved too strong for their opponents in the latter half of the set.
Ludwig and Walkenhorst captured the second set 21-18 and the celebrations could get started.

The pair took bronze medals in both 2013 and 2014 - but now stand on top of the podium.