Neusiedl am See Spectacle

Kotnik/Lorenzová and Swiss Duo Heidrich/Haussener Claim win2day PRO MASTERS Titles

The 2026 beach volleyball season kicked off with a bang this past weekend at the win2day PRO MASTERS in Neusiedl am See. Under crystal clear skies and in front of a capacity crowd, the opening event of the win2day Beach Volleyball Tour PRO delivered high-stakes drama, crowning Tjaša Kotnik and Andrea Lorenzová in the women’s division, while Adrian Heidrich and Yves Haussener took home the men’s gold.

Women’s Final: A Dominant Display by Kotnik and Lorenzová

The women’s draw saw a fierce battle for supremacy, but ultimately, the Slovenian-Czech partnership of Tjaša Kotnik and Andrea Lorenzová proved untouchable in the final.

Their path to glory was defined by a nerve-wracking semifinal against the top seeds, Tajda Lovšin and Lilla Villám. After dropping the opening set, Kotnik and Lorenzová staged a massive comeback, surviving a marathon tie-break (22-20) to secure their spot in the final.

On the other side of the bracket, local favorites Anna Mayr and Franziska Friedl reached the final after a thrilling all-Austrian semifinal against Mascherbauer and Sarić. However, the energy of the home crowd wasn’t enough to stop the Kotnik/Lorenzová momentum. The international duo controlled the final from start to finish, winning in straight sets (21-13, 21-14) to spoil the Austrian party and claim the first Masters title of the year.

Men’s Thriller: Swiss Resilience Silences the Home Crowd

The men’s final was a classic tactical battle between Switzerland’s Adrian Heidrich and Yves Haussener and the Austrian powerhouse duo of Paul Pascariuc and veteran Alexander Horst.

Pascariuc and Horst started the match with clinical precision, taking the first set comfortably. However, the Swiss World Tour regulars refused to back down. Heidrich and Haussener adjusted their defensive scheme, forcing the match into a deciding third set. In a nail-biting finish that saw both teams trading points, the Swiss pair showed ice-cold composure to win 17-15.

Reflecting on the match, Alexander Horst noted that despite the loss, the tournament served as “perfect preparation” for upcoming World Tour stops in China and the Philippines. His partner, Paul Pascariuc, shared a lighter perspective, mentioning that he was satisfied with the result considering his recent intensive police training—though he joked about a “headache” following Heidrich’s powerful spikes.

The “Giant Killers”: Thurner and Antoni’s Dream Run

One of the biggest talking points of the weekend was the incredible performance of Lukas Thurner and Niels Antoni. The Viennese pair turned the bracket upside down by eliminating several high-profile teams, including former Czech World Champion David Schweiner and his partner Tadeáš Trousil. While their “Cinderella story” ended in the semifinals against the eventual champions, their fearless play established them as a duo to watch this season.

win2day PRO MASTERS Neusiedl – At a Glance

Women’s Podiums:

Gold: Tjaša Kotnik / Andrea Lorenzová (SLO/CZE)
Silver: Anna Mayr / Franziska Friedl (AUT)
Bronze: Tajda Lovšin / Lilla Villám (SLO/HUN)

Men’s Podiums:

Gold: Adrian Heidrich / Yves Haussener (SUI)
Silver: Paul Pascariuc / Alexander Horst (AUT)
Bronze: Filip Lejawa / Piotr Kantor (POL)

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Beach Tour Roadmap

The win2day Beach Volleyball Tour PRO is just getting started. The series, which features OPEN, MASTERS, and Championship categories, provides a platform for both rising stars and seasoned professionals.

Upcoming Stops: