The sands of Hamburg`s iconic Am Rothenbaum Stadium bore witness to a remarkable display of skill and determination last week as European beach volleyball teams asserted their dominance, securing a coveted double gold at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite event. This wasn`t merely a win; it was a resounding statement, a strategic annexation of the top spots on both the men`s and women`s podiums.
The Nordic Kings Reign Supreme: Mol and Sørum`s Unstoppable Streak
In the men`s competition, the narrative was less about a surprise victory and more about a continuation of an already legendary run. Norway`s formidable duo, Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, affectionately known as the “Beach Volley Vikings,” extended their golden conquest. This win marked their third title in the month of August alone, a feat that borders on the fantastical. Having already claimed a record fifth CEV EuroBeachVolley title and an Elite event in Montréal just weeks prior, one might begin to wonder if their training regimen includes defying the laws of physics.
Their journey through the Hamburg tournament was a masterclass in consistency and tactical brilliance. They moved through the rounds with the unwavering precision of a finely tuned machine, culminating in a gold medal match against the valiant Polish Olympians, Michal Bryl and Bartosz Łosiak. The Norwegians secured their victory in straight sets (25-23, 21-14), though the score doesn`t fully capture the intensity of the opening set, where every point was a testament to the high caliber of play. For the Poles, silver was a hard-fought reward, a testament to their own impressive run against such an formidable opponent.
The men`s podium was entirely European, with the bronze medal match providing another thrilling showdown. Dutch Olympians Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot delivered a stellar performance, topping the 2024 European champions Martins Plavins and Kristians Fokerots of Latvia in straight sets (21-16, 21-10). This secured them third place in Hamburg for the second consecutive year, proving their consistent prowess on the sand.
Italian Breakthrough: Gottardi and Orsi Toth Make History
The women`s event, meanwhile, presented a story of a momentous breakthrough. Italy`s rising stars, Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth, etched their names into the history books by claiming their very first Beach Pro Tour title as partners. This was no easy triumph; they faced the formidable challenge of Brazil`s Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes, currently ranked as the number one team in the FIVB World Ranking. The match was a true spectacle, a testament to resilience and strategic play, pushing into a tie-breaker before the Italians emerged victorious (17-21, 21-18, 15-6).
The victory in Hamburg holds particular significance for Italian beach volleyball, marking the first gold for an Italian female team in an Elite event of the Beach Pro Tour. Having joined forces only after the start of the 2025 season, their rapid ascent to the top, following a silver medal in a Challenge event in June, suggests a partnership forged in competitive fire. Their win is not just a personal achievement but a powerful statement about the growing strength of European women`s beach volleyball.
While European teams reveled in their success, the home crowd in Hamburg had a near-miss with another medal. The German duo of Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann battled valiantly in the bronze medal match, but despite the passionate support of thousands of local fans, they ultimately fell to the reigning Olympic champions, Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos of Brazil, in two sets (21-16, 21-18), finishing a respectable fourth.
A Continent`s Command: Four Medals and Counting
Overall, Europe`s performance in Hamburg was nothing short of commanding. With four of the six available medals draped around the necks of European athletes, the continent undeniably capitalized on its “homecourt advantage.” This performance underscores the depth of talent and the robust competitive environment within European beach volleyball.
As the sun sets on a memorable week in Hamburg, the European teams now turn their gaze south. The Beach Pro Tour is set to continue its high-stakes journey with back-to-back Elite events in Brazil – João Pessoa (September 17-21) and Rio de Janeiro (September 25-28). The challenge of the South American sands awaits, a new arena where these newly crowned champions will seek to solidify their status against the world`s best, far from the familiar shores of the Elbe.
Torin Vale