Who are Tanja Hueberli and Nina Brunner? Switzerland’s Beach Volleyball Sensations to Kick Team USA Out of Competition?

Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes are two of the USA’s most decorated beach volleyball stars and were standing on the cusp of making it to the semifinals in the Paris Olympics. However, in the quarterfinals, Team USA faced a formidable Swiss team of Nina Brunner and Tanja Hueberli. Defeating the Americans 2-0, Switzerland’s players are making it clear they aren’t here to give anyone a hall pass. While their skills are mesmerizing, let’s take a look at these two stars who trampled the USA’s hope for a volleyball medal in the City of Love.

Hueberli, better known as Hubi, is a 31-year-old beach volleyball celebrity and a two-time European Championships gold medalist. Both of these two golden honors came with Nina Brunner. While Tanja loves to make the most of the time available in her hands, her teammate Nina, on the other hand, considers herself “dedicated, calm, peace-loving,” according to an article by Swatch.

Tanja loves the things she loves throughout the day. Studying, training, baking, listening to music, or just hanging out with her friends, Hueberli is never of time or energy for anything. The ambitious beach volleyball star looks up to former triathlete, and Olympic gold medalist, Nicola Spirig Hug. “She inspires me in how she is handling so many trainings, tough competitions and having three little kids. And I also think she has a great personality,” says Hubi about her role model.

Joining hands with the two-time U21 World Champion Brunner, Tanja is now part of a sensational team that has reached the semifinal round at the 33rd Olympic Games. The duo added a EuroBeachVolley and Swiss gold to their resumes in 2021, but Brunner was convinced that the journey was only beginning for her. “There is nothing like a calm morning or evening at the beach,” said Nina about what motivates her to wake up every day, and from the looks of things, her love for the sport is pushing her toward unlocking another achievement.

Tanja Hueberli and her teammate are flexing all their muscles

Switzerland won all three matches in Pool F against Spain, Germany, and France to secure its spot in the Round of 16. There, Brunner and Hueberli won against the Spanish again, this time defeating the team of Paula Gutiérrez and Lilliana Fernandez. Their victory over Team USA came in the same manner as the last four matches (2-0) and the Swiss are bracing up for at least one medal coming their way in women’s beach volleyball. While these two look to retain the gathered momentum and keep pushing, their skills are hailed back home by one of the country’s and the world’s biggest sports figures.

Last year, Hueberli and Brunner’s fans were pleasantly surprised when the tennis icon Roger Federer photobombed the volleyball stars’ photo on social media. Tanja shared the image of herself with her teammate and the Swiss maestro on Instagram and the talent captured in the frame was too much to handle for many. But will the approval of the national legend help them bag hardware in the French capital? Only time will tell.