Beach volleyball: the Swiss duo’s nine-year journey to Olympic glory

Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner have fulfilled their dream of winning an Olympic medal. The journey was long, but the reward was well deserved—even if it wasn't love at first sight. First impressions can be deceiving, fortunately. When Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner first met nine years ago and discussed working together, it didn’t click immediately. "Nina wasn’t quite sure whether life on the tour was for her, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to five years with her right away," says Tanja Hüberli after their emotional bronze medal win. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox They decided to give it a try and agreed to play together for just one year. "Looking back, it’s crazy that we’re standing here together nine years later," says Hüberli. Their growth as a team was evident when they stood hand in hand during the national anthem before the bronze medal match, while their Australian opponents stood separately. A perfect partnership Hüberli and Brunner’s ...