The global stage of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 recently concluded in Montréal, Canada, leaving no doubt about the current supremacy of European teams on the sand. As the dust settled on the Canadian courts, a remarkable four medals were claimed by European duos, solidifying the continent`s formidable presence in international beach volleyball.
Norway`s Reign Continues: Mol and Sørum`s Double Crown
Leading the charge, as they often do, were Norway’s Olympic champions Anders Mol and Christian Sørum. Fresh off their record fifth CEV EuroBeachVolley title, the Norwegian superstars demonstrated their unyielding dominance by clinching gold in Montréal for the second consecutive year. Their victory over Sweden`s burgeoning talents, Jacob Hölting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson, in a decisive two-set match (21-19, 21-13) underscored their status as the sport`s gold standard. One might even suggest they`re making a habit of collecting trophies, almost as if they have extra space in their luggage specifically for glittering hardware.
European Sweep in Men`s Competition
The men`s tournament became an exclusively European affair on the podium. The bronze medal match presented an intriguing clash between two titans: Czechia’s reigning world champions Ondřej Perušič and David Schweiner, and Sweden’s David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig. In a testament to the sport`s evolving intensity, the Czech duo prevailed in a thrilling tie-breaker (14-21, 22-20, 20-18), securing the third spot on an all-European men`s podium. It was a battle so fiercely contested, some spectators might have forgotten it was `only` for bronze.
Women`s Competition: Strong Showing Amidst Global Giants
While the men`s side saw a clean sweep, European teams also made their mark in the women`s draw. Germany`s 2024 European champions, Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann, displayed exceptional skill and determination, advancing all the way to the gold medal match. They faced a formidable challenge from the home favorites and Paris Olympic silver medalists, Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes of Canada, ultimately falling in two sets (21-15, 22-20). Despite the silver, their performance underscored Europe`s ability to contend at the highest level against the world`s best.
Adding to Europe`s strong showing, Latvia`s two-time European champions and Olympians, Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova, also vied for a medal, competing in the bronze match. Despite their valiant efforts, they were ultimately bested by Brazil`s Olympic champions Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos in straight sets (21-14, 21-16), finishing a respectable fourth. This result, while just outside the medals, reinforces the depth of talent within the European contingent.
Looking Ahead: The Tour Returns to Europe
The successful campaign in Montréal serves as a significant precursor to the next Beach Pro Tour Elite event, which will bring the competition back to European shores. The German city of Hamburg is set to host the world`s top teams from August 27-31. Given the recent results, expectations for another commanding European performance will undoubtedly be high as the elite of beach volleyball converge on German sand.
