“I think we are still getting used to it a little bit, because the atmosphere at this stadium is completely different from anything that we have ever experienced,” 29-year-old Perusic told the FIVB after the match. “I think, if you watch all the matches, it is kind of clear that all the teams are still trying to somehow adjust their game to the stadium, to the different orientation in space when you are on the court. I am really glad that we were able to win the first two matches, because despite the fact that they came in straight sets, none of them was easy. These are two very dangerous teams who have proven their high quality. I am really glad that this gives us a great position for the rest of the tournament. Now let’s see what we come up with against the Brazilians.”
Paris 2024 is the second Olympics for Perusic & Schweiner. Because of positive coronavirus tests before the Games in Tokyo three years ago, they were forced to forfeit their first match in the Japanese capital and although they won one of the next two games in pool, they failed to advance in the tournament.
“This is the first real Olympics for us – living in the Village, practicing here, playing in front of a full stadium at one of the most beautiful places in the city - this is completely different, if you compare it to Tokyo,” Perusic said. “Playing wise, of course, we are glad that we have already achieved better results. We are really enjoying it and I am really happy that we were able to perform, because we haven’t performed very well this year. We were struggling a bit, but now it at least looks like we are able to play in a decent way, and I hope we get even better for the coming matches.”
