On Friday, August 2, 2024, in Paris 2024, Julian Hörl and Alexander Horst suffered their third defeat in three games. They lost to Samuel Schachter/Daniel Dearing with a score of 16:21, 15:21 in just 36 minutes. This loss meant they were eliminated from the competition.
Horst, a seasoned player who has been to four Olympic Games, expressed extreme disappointment and anger at their performance. He struggled to find words to describe how poorly they played. He admitted, „It really hurts.“
Both players acknowledged that they were not able to showcase their true potential on the Olympic stage. They felt undervalued and unsatisfied with their performance. Despite their own frustrations, they also recognized the skill of their Canadian opponents and congratulated them on their strong game.
Julian Hörl, who was making his Olympic debut, shared similar sentiments of bitterness and regret. He commented, „We allowed them to play so well.“
While Horst wanted to fly back home as soon as possible, Hörl decided to spend two days with his family to cope with the disappointment. He hoped that being with his girlfriend and daughter would help him process the emotions and take a break from beach volleyball for a while.
Looking ahead, the duo plans to focus on the upcoming European Championship in the Netherlands in mid-August. They will then address questions about their future in the sport. The uncertainty of what lies ahead looms over their minds as they reflect on their performance at the Olympics.
As they navigate through this challenging period, Hörl and Horst will need to recognize their worth as athletes and find ways to rebuild their confidence. It is essential for them to learn from this experience and use it as a stepping stone towards future success. Despite the disappointment and setbacks, their determination and resilience will be key in shaping their journey in the world of beach volleyball.