The European beach volleyball season is poised for its annual zenith. Next week, between Wednesday and Sunday, Düsseldorf, Germany, will once again open its sands to the continent`s finest teams, hosting the 33rd edition of the CEV EuroBeachVolley. For the fourth time in its history, and in its fourth distinct German city, this event at the esteemed Rochus Club promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, with every elite European duo confirming their participation.
This is not merely a tournament; it’s a strategic gauntlet. The 32 men’s teams have been meticulously divided into eight pools of four, each navigating a modified pool play system. Only the eight pool winners earn a direct pass to the Round of 16, while the remaining 16 teams, ranking second and third, must endure the perilous Round of 24. From Wednesday to Thursday, the sands will be awash with pool play and the initial Round of 24 skirmishes. Friday ushers in the Round of 16, Saturday the quarterfinals, culminating in Sunday’s semifinals and the all-important medal matches.
As the first serve looms, we delve deeper into the strategic blueprints of Men’s Pools E, F, G, and H, dissecting the contenders, their form, and the potential narratives that could unfold in Düsseldorf.
Unpacking the Battlegrounds: Men`s Pools E-H
Pool E: The Reigning Monarchs and Aspiring Challengers
Teams: Ondřej Perušič/David Schweiner (Czechia), Christoph Dressler/Philipp Waller (Austria), Marco Krattiger/Leo Dillier (Switzerland), Momme Lorenz/Tilo Rietschel (Germany)
This pool immediately brings into focus the formidable Czech duo, Perušič and Schweiner. As reigning World Champions, they are the undeniable favorites, exhibiting a consistent top-tier performance this summer with three medals from five Beach Pro Tour events. Their dominance suggests a direct path to the Round of 16, a luxury hard-earned by their consistent prowess.
Entering the 2025 season as a fresh partnership, Krattiger and Dillier from Switzerland have quickly established themselves as rising forces, bagging four medals at the Challenge and Futures levels of the Beach Pro Tour. Their adaptability and rapid synergy make them a significant threat. Austrian pair Dressler and Waller, also new this season, haven`t yet matched the Swiss duo`s medal count, but their extensive experience at this competitive level cannot be overlooked. They possess the capacity to surprise.
The young German team of Lorenz and Rietschel, both 21, have proven their mettle at the Futures level. While perhaps a tier below their counterparts, the home crowd`s fervent support and the lack of external pressure could ignite an unexpected performance. The romantic notion of a young home team causing an upset is, after all, a cornerstone of sporting narratives. Logic dictates the Czechs will top the pool, followed by the Swiss and Austrians, but in beach volleyball, gravity isn`t always the only force at play.
Pool F: The Infamous `Pool of Death`
Teams: Javier Bello/Joaquin Bello (England), Stefan Boermans/Yorick de Groot (the Netherlands), Yves Haussener/Julian Friedli (Switzerland), Clemens Wickler/Nils Ehlers (Germany)
If any pool at EuroBeachVolley 2025 deserves the ominous moniker of “Pool of Death,” it is unequivocally Pool F. Here, at least three of the four teams are legitimate contenders for a podium finish. The English Bello twins, Javier and Joaquin, despite a less active 2025, showcased their explosive potential in 2024 with an Elite event gold in Brazil. Their return to form would be devastating for any opponent.
The Dutch formidable duo of Boermans and de Groot are seasoned campaigners, with de Groot boasting two EuroBeachVolley silver medals (2021, 2023). Their consistent presence at the top makes them a perennial threat. Similarly, the German pair, Ehlers and Wickler, arrive on home sand fresh off their career-best 2024 season, which saw them clinch silver at both the Paris Olympics and the EuroBeachVolley. With the roaring support of the Düsseldorf faithful, their campaign for gold could be undeniable. Swiss pair Haussener and Friedli have achieved commendable international results in their two years together, but navigating this pool will require them to truly punch above their collective weight.
The unpredictability of this pool is its most thrilling aspect. The opening match between the Bello brothers and the German powerhouse Ehlers/Wickler could very well dictate the entire pool’s trajectory. It’s a contest where strategy, nerve, and perhaps a touch of Teutonic efficiency will be tested to their absolute limits.
Pool G: Polish Precision and Rising Stars
Teams: Michal Bryl/Bartosz Łosiak (Poland), Jacob Hölting Nilsson/Elmer Andersson (Sweden), Lukas Pfretzschner/Sven Winter (Germany), Eylon Elazar/Kevin Cuzmiciov (Israel)
In Pool G, the vast experience of Poland’s Bryl and Łosiak shines brightest, positioning them as the most probable leaders. While yet to claim a gold in 2025, their remarkable consistency on the international circuit provides them with the strategic tools to command pool play with measured control.
However, the Swedes and Germans are poised to challenge this assumed hierarchy. Hölting Nilsson and Andersson, reigning U22 European champions, represent the vanguard of a new generation, having already secured silver at the Elite event in Gstaad this year. Their ascent is rapid and compelling. Pfretzschner and Winter, the German contingent, enjoyed an outstanding 2024 but have experienced a slight dip in form this season. Nevertheless, their capacity to compete with the best, especially on home turf, makes them a significant wild card. Finally, Elazar and Cuzmiciov have elevated Israeli beach volleyball, securing multiple Futures medals. While perhaps a tier below their pool counterparts, their determination ensures they will seize any opportunity for an upset.
While a Polish advance in first place seems the logical outcome, both the Swedes and the Germans possess the inherent talent to disrupt this narrative on a favorable day. The Israeli pair, though facing long odds, embodies the spirit of an underdog ready to pounce should a crack appear in the favorites` armor.
Pool H: The Enigma of Unpredictability
Teams: Paul Henning/Lui Wüst (Germany), Timo Hammarberg/Tim Berger (Austria), Gianluca Dal Corso/Marco Viscovich (Italy), Adrián Gavira/Alejandro Huerta (Spain)
Pool H stands out as arguably the most enigmatic quadrant of the entire tournament, a true testament to the parity in European beach volleyball. Here, the final standings could feature any team from first to fourth without eliciting significant surprise. The top-seeded German pair, Henning and Wüst, armed with the passionate support of their home crowd and a string of commendable Beach Pro Tour results, are tentatively positioned as slight favorites to clinch the top spot.
The young Austrian duo of Hammarberg and Berger, champions at the U20 European level in 2022, have demonstrated a steady and impressive progression on the international stage over the past two seasons. Their trajectory suggests they are ready for a breakout performance. The Italians, Dal Corso and Viscovich, are reuniting after a successful run at the Futures level in 2023 and 2024. Their rediscovered synergy could propel them deep into the tournament. Lastly, the seasoned Spaniard Gavira, whose vast experience is undeniable, faces the challenge of a new partnership with Alejandro Huerta and a period of inactivity. Their ability to quickly establish chemistry will be paramount.
The Spanish team begins with a slight disadvantage due to their limited court time together, but a triumph in their opening match could swiftly alter their fortunes. While the Germans appear to hold a marginal edge for leading the pool, the audacious young Austrians and the reunited Italians will undoubtedly vie for supremacy, making Pool H a fascinating study in competitive uncertainty.
As Düsseldorf prepares to host the cream of European beach volleyball, these detailed previews of Pools E through H offer a glimpse into the strategic depths and exhilarating uncertainties that define the sport. From established world champions to audacious rising stars and unpredictable dark horses, every team arrives with a narrative, a strategy, and the dream of European glory. The sands of Rochus Club await, ready to etch new legends into the annals of EuroBeachVolley history. Prepare for a week of unparalleled athletic spectacle.
