Brave Perišić proud of performance

2017-06-29 22:44:00 CET

Brave Perišić proud of performance

Croatians go down fighting in front of packed crowd

Ivan Perišić and partner Niksa Dell’Orco give the thumbs up after the game. Photocredit: Samo Vidic.

Ivan Perišić was all smiles despite his second defeat of the day at the Poreč Major.

The 28-year-old Inter Milan midfielder and partner Niksa Dell’Orco lost in straight sets against Americans Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner in front of packed crowd at the Red Bull Beach Arena.

On a night to remember for the Croatian, he said: “This was always my dream. I have been playing beach volleyball since I was 10. I’m very passionate about this game and every summer I have been practising with my friend in Split.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to play with the best beach volleyball players in the world.

“It felt amazing – even though I lost.”

Opponent Patterson, who competed at the Olympic Games in Rio last summer added: “It was great to play against Ivan – I wish I was as good at soccer as he is at beach volleyball.”

Perišić and Dell’Orco play their final pool play match at the Poreč Major at 1pm CET on Friday against American team Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb.

Missed it? Watch back both of Perišić’s games on BeachStream.

Perišić impressed in the second set against the Americans. Photocredit: Samo Vidic.