The picturesque Portuguese coastal town of Espinho is bracing itself for a high-octane week of beach volleyball as it hosts the Finals of the 2025 CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup for men. From July 17th to 20th, eight national teams, having navigated a rigorous preliminary phase that began with 26 contenders back in May, will compete in a unique country-versus-country format, often likened to tennis`s Davis Cup, where national pride is as much on the line as individual skill.
This is not just any tournament; it`s a convergence of Europe`s elite. The lineup of eight nations – Austria, Denmark, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and the host nation Portugal – features a concentration of talent that promises compelling matches. But what truly elevates the event in Espinho is the sheer density of Olympic experience on display.
A remarkable nine athletes who have graced the sand at recent Olympic Games are set to compete for the coveted Nations Cup title. Among them are multiple Olympic medalists and a World Champion, underlining the pedigree of the field. Leading the charge are arguably the most decorated pairing in modern beach volleyball: Norway`s Anders Mol and Christian Sørum. This formidable duo brings an impressive collection of hardware, including Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold, a bronze from the Paris 2024 Games, the 2022 World Championship title, and a staggering four EuroBeachVolley crowns. They form one half of the Norwegian challenge, supported by the pairing of Hendrik Mol and Mathias Berntsen.
The Netherlands arrive with the distinction of fielding the largest contingent of Olympians, boasting four players with Games experience. Alexander Brouwer, a bronze medalist at Rio 2016 and also a participant in Tokyo 2020, stands out with his 2013 World Championship title. He pairs with Steven van de Velde, while Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot form the second Dutch team. Between them, these Dutch athletes have also secured multiple EuroBeachVolley medals, showcasing the depth of their national program.
Defending champions France are back, bringing two Paris Olympians within their ranks. Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, an Olympian, returns with his partner Téo Rotar, while fellow Olympian Rémi Bassereau teams up with Calvin Aye. They look to replicate last year`s success, proving that France`s recent rise in the sport is no fluke.
Adding to the Olympic pedigree is Austria`s Julian Hörl, who competed at the Paris Games. He partners with Philipp Waller, supported by the younger pairing of Tim Berger and Timo Hammarberg, keen to make their mark on the European stage.
The host nation, Portugal, will rely heavily on their top-ranked team, Hugo Campos and João Pedrosa, alongside the brother pairing of Gonçalo and Tomas Sousa. Playing in front of a home crowd on the Popular Praia da Baía is sure to provide an electric atmosphere and a significant boost.
Spain also features a set of brothers in their team, with Alejandro and Javier Huerta competing alongside the duo of Álvaro Vieira and Antonio Saucedo. The dynamic of sibling partnerships adds another intriguing layer to the competition.
Completing the field are Denmark and Lithuania, considered by some to be the dark horses who defied expectations to reach the Finals. Denmark is represented by Nicolai Hovmann and Christian Andersen, while Lithuania`s challenge comes from Robert Juchnevic/Artur Vasiljev and Arnas Rumsevicius/Karolis Palubinskas. Their presence serves as a reminder that in beach volleyball, rankings can sometimes be less important than momentum and belief.
The tournament structure kicks off with pool play on Thursday and Friday, determining qualification for the knockout stages. The quarter-finals are scheduled for Saturday, leading into the high-stakes semi-finals and the grand final set for Sunday. With nine Olympians battling it out for national honours, Espinho is poised to deliver a thrilling four days of top-tier beach volleyball action.
Torin Vale