The preliminary phase of the 2025 CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup recently concluded its Messina leg, delivering a mix of unexpected triumphs and strategic advancements. Denmark`s men`s team engineered a remarkable upset, while France`s women`s squad, leveraging experience and a dash of fortune, secured their berths in the much-anticipated Finals.
Denmark`s Unforeseen Ascent: Disrupting the Established Order
In what many are calling the biggest surprise of the preliminary rounds so far, the Danish men’s team, considered an emerging force rather than a continental powerhouse, defied expectations in Messina. Their mission: navigate a pool featuring the formidable teams of Germany and Italy, both traditionally dominant forces in European beach volleyball. Denmark`s strategy wasn`t just to compete; it was to conquer.
The Danes, showcasing remarkable resilience and tactical acumen, systematically dismantled their higher-ranked opponents. Their duels followed a consistent, nerve-wracking pattern: Kristoffer Abell and Christian Andersen would face a tough opening match, often resulting in a narrow defeat. This set the stage for Mads Møllgaard and Nicolai Hovmann, who, with an almost surgical precision, stepped onto the sand to deliver decisive victories, sweeping their matches and clinching the overall series for Denmark.
This calculated approach against both Germany and Italy highlights a growing maturity within the Danish ranks. It’s a classic tale of the underdog finding their rhythm and proving that reputation, while weighty, isn`t always the final arbiter of victory. Their qualification is a clear signal: the established order in European beach volleyball might just be experiencing a mild seismic shift.
France`s Measured Advance: Experience Pays Dividends (Mostly)
On the women`s side, France leveraged their significant experience to secure their ticket to the Finals. Featuring a squad rich with four Olympians, the French team demonstrated the calm composure that comes with seasoned competition. Their initial skirmishes in Messina proved fruitful, as they comfortably dispatched Belgium in their opening series, with Lézana Placette and Alexia Richard, alongside Clémence Viera and Aline Chamereau, ensuring a clean sweep.
The decisive match against host nation Italy, however, took an unexpected turn. The Italian team, unfortunately, was forced to forfeit their matches due to an ankle injury sustained by Reka Orsi Toth. While not the dramatic on-court showdown one might hope for, this turn of events underscores a harsh reality of competitive sports: sometimes, the greatest challenge is simply staying fit. For France, it meant a less physically taxing route to the top of their pool, securing their qualification with professional grace, even if the final step was less about brute force and more about remaining upright.
The Road to Espinho: A Continental Showdown Awaits
With Denmark and France now confirmed, the roster for the CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup Finals in Espinho, Portugal (July 17-20), is rapidly filling. They join an already impressive lineup: Spain, the Netherlands, and Czechia are confirmed for the men`s side, while Spain, Estonia, and Germany have secured their spots among the women, all set to challenge hosts Portugal.
The Nations Cup, a unique “country vs. country” format introduced in 2022, echoes the team spirit of events like the Davis Cup in tennis, adding an intriguing layer of national pride to the individual athleticism of beach volleyball. The remaining qualifying spots will be hotly contested in forthcoming pools in Riga and Vilnius, promising more intense action as teams vie for the chance to represent their nations on the grand stage.
As the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the anticipation for Espinho builds. Fans can expect a showcase of top-tier talent, strategic brilliance, and perhaps, a few more upsets, as nations battle not just for individual glory, but for collective supremacy on the sand.
Torin Vale