Behind the scenes in Pool D: The Fan Zone
Story of the day
Although the co-hosts of CEV EuroVolley 2021 Men, Estonia, couldn’t reach their goal of continuing ahead to the next stage of the competition, the organisers made it all possible for Volleyball fans in the small country to feel the emotion of being part of the biggest event of the year.
In a special built "Fan Village" in the centre of Tallinn, fans could enjoy a walk through the fan shop, the different facilities and interesting Beach Volleyball matches, while "warming up" for the #EuroVolleyM Volleyball atmosphere
Hanno Pevkur“While organizing this tournament and making it big inside the competition hall, we also wanted to give something more for the fans. So we created a fan zone area in the middle of the city for people to enjoy good level of beach volleyball matches, different concerts etc. We also had shuttle buses for the fans running between the hall and fan zone, so people can enjoy both sport and leisure activities.”
President of the Estonian Volleyball Federation
Warming up for the indoor show in Pool D, the fans in Tallinn could enjoy some high-class Beach Volleyball battles as well.
The Lion King of Beach Volleyball, Latvian star Aleksandrs Samoilov together with Ardis Bedritis played a friendly match against the Estonian No 1 duo Kusti Nõlvak and Mart Tiisaar. To the delight of home crowds, the Estonians won the match at 2-0.
The 4x4 Estonian Beach Volleyball championship (Men and Women) also took place the fan zone located in the Tallinn city centre. Estonian top-league teams participated and delivering great performance in the mornings, were “warming up” the audience for the #EuroVolleyM show later in the afternoons.
Selver Tallinn won the men's tournament and Tartu Ülikool/Bigbank was the best in women's competition.
Another great Beach Volleyball game also took place on the courts of the fan zone.
Former basketball stars from the Estonian national team met former athletes from the soccer national team. Ragnar Klavan (who has played in Serie A and in the Premier League) and basketball giants Kristjan Kangur and Siim-Sander Vene (who both have competed in the Spanish and Italian top leagues, including the EuroLeague) took up on the Beach Volleyball, enjoying each moment of the game.
A special surprise was given to the teams who met Estonia on the court.
Much loved Estonian bands such as Kukerpillid, Justament, A-Rühm and others gave concerts in the evenings, and also one band from each participating country performed on the stage.