The Vienna Major kicks into gear today – and here’s what’s not to miss!

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Gstaad bronze medalists and world number ones Bansley/Wilkerson are first up on Wednesday

It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for – the first day of pool play of the A1 Major Vienna presented by Swatch.

The very best women’s beach volleyball players in the world are in the Austrian capital and you’ll be able to catch some huge matches once the Red Bull Beach Arena flings open its doors and welcomes over 8,000 beach fans.

With so many matches to look forward to, we’ve gone through the schedule and carefully selected five matches you cannot afford to miss on the day the Vienna Major really kicks off! Enjoy!

Who? Bansley/Wilkerson v Menegatti/Orsi Toth

Where? Court 2

When? 9.30am

Why? Heather and Brandie won bronze in Gstaad and have shot to the top of the world rankings after a great run of results in the past two months. The Canadians take on a team who are reunited after two years away – and who won their return event in Morocco at the weekend. Just how far can the Italians go now back together in a five star event?

Who? Pavan/Humana-Paredes v Strauss/Friedl

Where? Court 2

When? 10.30am

Why? The Swatch Major Gstaad champions arrive in Vienna aiming to improve on last year’s fourth place, and begin their pursuit of gold against the Austrian youngsters. Nadine Strauss will make her debut in Vienna after missing through injury last year, and she and partner Franziska Friedl will be aiming to cause a huge upset with the help of their masses of fans.

Who? Carol Solberg/Maria Antonelli v Lehtonen/Ahtiainen

Where? Court 3

When? 11.30am

Why? The Fins booked their spot in the main draw by beating a Brazilian team already on Tuesday, but they face a much sterner test on Wednesday. Carol and Maria have enjoyed an excellent 2018 season, winning silver twice, including in Espinho last month.

Can Karla Borger and Maggie Kozuch win the German derby?

Who? Borger/Kozuch v Ittlinger/Behrens

Where? Court 3

When? 12.30pm

Why? Last year at the World Championships there were three German teams drawn in one pool and lightning has struck twice this time around, too. These two tandems have met already four times in European and international this season and the score is currently 2-2. Borger/Kozuch have had the upper hand in the last two meetings, including in Gstaad, so can the wildcards gain some revenge?

Who? Plesiutschnig/Schutenhofer v Kravcenkova/Graudina

Where? Red Bull Beach Arena

When? 12.30pm

Why? We know you can’t be in two places at once, but if you can’t make it to court 3, definitely try and get a seat on what’s sure to be a packed Red Bull Beach Arena for the first match on the show court of the tournament. Austria’s top seeded women’s team won’t have it easy against the Latvians, however, who arrive in Vienna full of confidence after winning silver at the Under-22 European Championships last week.

All of the action gets under way at 9.30 CET. Click here for the full schedule. And remember you can catch every match live on BeachStream.