The picturesque sands of Praia da Baía in Espinho, Portugal, are once again preparing to host a significant spectacle in the world of beach volleyball. From Thursday to Sunday, the 2025 CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup Finals will unfold, featuring an assembly of Europe`s top female athletes, including reigning champions and a remarkable roster of Olympians. This isn`t just another tournament; it`s a declaration of national pride on the sand, where individual brilliance merges with collective ambition.
The Unique `Country vs. Country` Challenge
Introduced in 2022, the CEV Beach Nations Cup has swiftly carved out its niche, presenting a refreshing format reminiscent of tennis`s Davis Cup. Instead of individual pairs battling for personal glory, this event sees national teams, each comprising multiple pairs, competing for the ultimate bragging rights of their country. It`s a strategic chess match played out under the sun, where team depth and tactical decisions are as crucial as athletic prowess.
For the women`s competition, eight nations have successfully navigated the preliminary phase to reach Espinho:
- Host Nation: Portugal
- Qualifiers: Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ukraine
These elite eight will first be divided into two pools of four. The competition structure ensures that every match carries weight: the top three teams from each pool will advance to the elimination rounds, with pool winners earning a coveted direct berth in the semifinals. The second and third-placed teams, however, will face an immediate test in the quarterfinals, a gauntlet designed to separate the truly resilient from the merely proficient.
A Parade of Champions and Olympic Pedigree
The lineup converging on Espinho is nothing short of stellar, promising high-octane action and intricate strategies. Leading the charge are Germany`s reigning EuroBeachVolley champions, Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann. Fresh off their appearance at the Paris Olympics and boasting a 2022 World Championship bronze, Müller and Tillmann are the undisputed headliners, bringing a blend of refined skill and competitive tenacity. Their German squad is further bolstered by the seasoned experience of blocker Sandra Ittlinger and the rising talent of defender Anna-Lena Grüne, forming a formidable quartet.
The Olympic spirit is indeed strong in Espinho, with no fewer than eleven Olympians set to grace the courts. France arrives with considerable depth, fielding both pairs that represented the nation at last year`s Paris Games: Lézana Placette/Alexia Richard and Clémence Vieira/Aline Chamereau. Their presence signifies a nation investing heavily in its beach volleyball future, perhaps hoping to translate home-game experience into international success.
Spain`s challenge is spearheaded by 2023 EuroBeachVolley silver medalists Daniela Álvarez and Tania Moreno, also recent Paris Olympians. Their blend of youthful exuberance and proven performance, complemented by Sofía González and Ana Vergara, makes them a potent threat. Similarly, the Lithuanian contingent features its own Olympic duo, Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte, alongside Ariana Rudkoviskaja and Skalve Krizanauskaite, ensuring that every match will be a clash of highly trained professionals.
The defending champions, the Netherlands, bring the field`s most experienced Olympian in Raisa Schoon, who has participated in both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. Partnering with Mila Konink, Schoon leads a Dutch team that also includes Emi van Driel and Wies Bekhuis, both integral to their 2024 gold-medal triumph. Their task: to defend their title against a field hungrier than ever for victory.
Not to be underestimated are the other national teams. Hosts Portugal will rely on Gabriela Coelho/Mariana Maia and Vanessa Paquete/Beatriz Lacerda to ignite the home crowd. Ukraine, a rising force, sends two pairs, Anhelina Khmil/Valentyna Davidova and Maryna Hladun/Tetiana Lazarenko, who have consistently delivered strong international results this season. And then there’s Estonia, the dark horse, who pulled off a significant upset over Poland in the preliminary phase, signaling their intent with teams like Heleene Hollas/Keira Lukas and Eva Kuivonen/Liisa-Lotta Jürgenson.
Reigning European champions Müller and Tillmann are set to dominate the sand in Espinho.
The Road to Gold: Schedule and Anticipation
The competition promises a packed schedule designed to maximize excitement. Pool play for the women’s teams will run from Thursday through Friday, culminating in the quarterfinal clashes later on Friday. Saturday will host the intense semifinal showdowns, setting the stage for the highly anticipated gold medal match on Sunday. Each day will bring its own drama, its own heroes, and its own tactical revelations.
The CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup Finals in Espinho is more than just a tournament; it’s a showcase of European beach volleyball at its zenith. With a compelling format, an array of world-class talent, and the picturesque backdrop of Praia da Baía, the stage is perfectly set for four days of unforgettable action. Will the reigning champions hold their ground, or will a new nation rise to claim the coveted title? Only the sand and the scoreboard will tell.
Alexia Richard, one of four French Olympians, is poised for action at the Beach Nations Cup Finals.
