The picturesque Praia da Baía in Espinho, Portugal, is once again poised to become the epicentre of European beach volleyball. As mid-July 2025 approaches, anticipation is soaring for the CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup Finals. With the draw now complete, the national teams know their initial adversaries, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and national pride.
Paris Olympians Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot are part of the Dutch team leading Pool A.
The Unique `Country vs. Country` Format
Introduced to the continental calendar in 2022, the Beach Nations Cup offers a compelling twist on traditional tournaments. Much like the Davis Cup in tennis, this competition pits entire nations against each other, fostering an intense atmosphere of collective ambition. Each national team fields two pairs, with overall victory determined by aggregate performance. This format elevates the stakes, transforming individual matches into crucial battles for national glory.
Eight elite national teams in each gender have earned their spot in Espinho. They have been meticulously divided into two pools of four. The path to gold is clear, yet challenging: the top three teams from each pool will advance to the elimination rounds. Pool winners enjoy the distinct advantage of a direct pass to the semifinals, while the second and third-ranked countries will face off in the quarterfinals, an immediate test of resilience and tactical depth.
Men`s Competition: A Battle of Beach Titans
The men’s draw promises immediate fireworks. Pool A is spearheaded by the formidable Netherlands, featuring Paris Olympians Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot, alongside the experienced duo of Alexander Brouwer and Steve van de Velde. They will navigate a challenging pool that includes:
- Defending Champions France: Represented by Téo Rotar/Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and Kéran Duval/Calvin Aye, eager to retain their title.
- Spain: With Alejandro Huerta/Javier Huerta and Álvaro Vieira/Antonio Saucedo, always a team to watch.
- Lithuania: Fielding Robert Juchnevic/Artur Vasiljev and Arnas Rumsevicius/Karolis Palubinskas, ready to prove their mettle.
Meanwhile, Pool B sees the host nation, Portugal, at the helm, promising fervent home support. Hugo Campos and João Pedrosa, along with brothers Gonçalo and Tomas Sousa, carry the hopes of the Portuguese crowd. Their road to the knockout stages involves facing:
- Norway: A perennial powerhouse with Anders Mol/Christian Sørum and Hendrik Mol/Mathias Berntsen. One might consider this group the “death pool” given the caliber of the Norwegian teams, a true test for any aspiring champion.
- Austria: Featuring Julian Hörl/Philipp Waller and Tim Berger/Timo Hammarberg, consistently strong contenders.
- Denmark: With Nicolai Hovmann/Christian Andersen and Mads Møllgaard/Kristoffer Abell, looking to make a significant impact.
For the men, pool play runs from Thursday to Friday, with quarterfinals on Saturday, building to the intense semifinals and the ultimate final on Sunday.
Women`s Quest for Gold: European Powerhouses Collide
The women`s tournament is equally stacked with talent. Germany, holding the highest continental ranking, takes the top seed in Pool A. Their formidable lineup includes reigning European champions Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann, complemented by the strong pairing of Sandra Ittlinger and Anna-Lena Grüne. They will contend with:
- France: Alexia Richard/Lézana Placette and Clémence Vieira/Aline Chamereau.
- Netherlands: Emi van Driel/Wies Bekhuis and Mila Konink/Raïsa Schoon.
- Lithuania: Monika Paulikiene/Aine Raupelyte and Ariana Rudkovskaja/Skalve Krizanauskaite.
Pool B is led by Portugal’s Vanessa Paquete/Raquel Lacerda and Gabriela Coelho/Mariana Maia, who will also benefit from home advantage. Their challenging pool includes:
- Ukraine: Maryna Hladun/Tetiana Lazarenko and Valentyna Davidova/Anhelina Khmil.
- Spain: Daniela Álvarez/Tania Moreno and Sofía González/Ana Vergara.
- Estonia: Eva Kuivonen/Liisa-Lotta Jürgenson and Heleene Hollas/Keira Lukas.
The women`s schedule mirrors the men`s for pool play (Thursday-Friday), but their quarterfinals are set for Friday, making for an expedited journey to the semifinals on Saturday, culminating in the gold medal match on Sunday.
The Road Ahead: Strategy and Resilience
As the first serves approach, the focus shifts from the drawing board to the sand. Each match within these pools is not just about winning points but about positioning for the knockout stages. The pressure is immense, a delicate balance between aggressive play and calculated risk. For some teams, the pool draw might feel like a gentle introduction; for others, an immediate trial by fire. Regardless, the athletes will need to demonstrate not only their athletic prowess but also immense mental fortitude. The CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup is more than a tournament; it is a declaration of national beach volleyball supremacy, and Espinho is ready to crown its champions.
Torin Vale