"Playing in front of a home crowd is always special," emphasizes the 22-year-old, getting straight to the point: "Unfortunately, this year we don't have a major event in Austria."
No Major Tournament in Austria: "It Really Stings"
The very fact that events like those once held at Lake Wörthersee or on the Danube Island, or at Vienna's Heumarkt, are no longer taking place precisely now that the duo has established itself among the world's elite, is gnawing at them.
"It really stings because we've reached the elite level now, and right now there isn't one," says Hammarberg.
Next year, the situation is expected to change again. "The ÖVV is making an effort, we have great confidence that it will work out," he adds.
Berger also talks about the development of the sport in Austria: "I can only speak about what my father told me. I do believe things were a bit better back then. Hannes Jagerhofer was still involved at that time. But I think enough people are making an effort to rebuild it."
"Small Crisis" Expected to End in a Few Years
"Right now there's a small crisis, certainly also because of the economy. But I have great confidence that in perhaps one to two years, it can be back to where it once was," he adds.
The national championship will take place in Kitzbühel in September, where the duo will compete. Participation in Schladming would also be an option. Due to their limited appearances in their home country, they don't get much direct interaction with fans in Austria.
Is Youth Development Suffering?
When asked if the lack of major events affects youth development, Hammarberg says: "That's possible; somehow, I also got into it through Clemens (Note: Doppler) and Alex (Note: Horst). I do believe it helps a lot when there are big tournaments."
To change something, it needs to start from the top, and there also needs to be another top team like Doppler and Horst once were, who celebrated a major success at the World Championships in Vienna, among other achievements.
The two could soon take on this role, as these youngsters are no longer unknown at the top of the world rankings.
Path to World Elite "Surprisingly Fast"
This season, they achieved fifth place three times in elite tournaments. That was the minimum goal. With a small exception at the last tournament, which was still a bit too challenging after Berger's short injury break, they can be satisfied.
The path to the world elite is a tough one. "For that, it went surprisingly fast," says Hammarberg, who has been playing with his partner since the U18 category. Since they are very different, they complement each other well.
Berger comes from a true beach volleyball family. His father, Nick Berger, participated twice in the Olympic Games and once played with Austrian beach volleyball legend Clemens Doppler.
"I don't know if I would have become a beach volleyball player if my father had never pushed me towards it," says the 21-year-old. After tournaments, there's always a brief discussion about things he noticed.
Appointments and Travel Must Be Self-Organized Despite Success
His younger sister Lia also plays beach volleyball successfully. She will combine her education and career in America in the future. Since this path is only possible for women there, it was not an option for the two of them anyway.
Hammarberg, on the other hand, got into the sport after visiting the 2017 World Championships in Vienna.
In addition to two training sessions a day and subsequent recovery, the players also have to organize travel and arrange appointments.
European Championship as This Year's Goal - Olympics as Overall Goal
This season, a special highlight is still on the agenda: the European Championship in Poland in August. After finishing fifth last time, the goal is to at least repeat that result.
As an overarching goal, the two are already looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games, which will take place in Los Angeles. Qualification begins in November. Being part of the major event "is pretty much every beach volleyball player's dream," explains Hammarberg.
Before that, however, the goal is to fine-tune technical details and become more consistent. "It would be important that we can deliver exactly what is at our level and how we can play in every match," Berger concludes.
