Berlin 2018: Compound finals line-up and preview

The two individual finals at the last stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Berlin, Germany mean something. Really mean something.

Domagoj Buden and Jody Vermeulen didn’t accrue many points at previous stops on the international tour – and aren’t high enough in the World Cup rankings to be in the running for Samsun.

But under rules introduced in 2018, winning a gold at a stage nets them automatic qualification.

So it’s win and in for the pair – while their opponents, both of whom are already confirmed for the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final roster, have nothing to lose.

MIKE SCHLOESSER  / DOMAGOJ BUDEN 
Compound men’s gold final

It’s simple: Buden wins and he goes to Samsun. Buden loses and he doesn’t – and Pierre-Julien Deloche, who’s watching from the crowd, does.

Schloesser won’t give him an easy ride. Top seeded in Berlin, the world number three dropped just seven points in four elimination matches and has absolutely zero pressure on him in this one.

He’s already going to Samsun. And Schloesser shoots best when he doesn’t feel the pressure.

The pick: Mike

JODY VERMEULEN  / SOPHIE DODEMONT 
Compound women’s gold final

There’s got to be at least one surprise qualifier out of this event, and why not Jody? This is her fifth Hyundai Archery World Cup stage – and her first guaranteed medal.

She’ll jump well up from the world number six ranking she arrived in Berlin holding – but that’s not the goal. The goal is a spot at the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final.

Dodemont, at age 44, is already qualified for Samsun.

On paper, she’s stronger, averaging 9.55 to Vermuelen’s 9.41. In Berlin, though, the pair have shot almost identical scores.

The pick: Jody

SEB PEINEAU  / PETER ELZINGA 
Compound men’s bronze final

It’s not a match with any long-term connotations, but it is a match neither will want to lose.

Peineau is the reigning World Archery Champion and Elzinga was silver medallist at the very first Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in 2006.

This season, Elzinga’s been averaging 9.65 points per arrow; Peineau 9.70. 

The pick: Peineau

MARCELLA TONIOLI  / YESIM BOSTAN 
Compound women’s bronze final

Tonioli will want to win this but, even more so, she’ll want Sophie Dodemont to win the final. If the French archer takes gold, 2016 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final Champion Marcella makes it to Samsun.

Her opponent for bronze in Berlin: stage two winner Bostan.

Named number one in the world for the first time in her career earlier in 2018, Yesim has cemented a spot as one of the world-leading compound women of this era. 

The pick: Bostan

The fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Berlin, Germany on 16 to 22 July.