In the high-octane world of professional sports, much fanfare is rightfully reserved for the athletes who deliver breathtaking performances. Yet, behind every legendary team, there is often a less visible, yet profoundly influential, architect. In the realm of beach volleyball, Norway`s Jetmund Berntsen stands as such a figure—the strategic mind who sculpted the “Beachvolley Vikings,” Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, into Olympic, World, and European champions. His journey offers a masterclass in foresight, player development, and the unique nuances of coaching a sport where in-game intervention is largely a myth.
A Seed Planted Early: The Lifelong Pursuit of Volleyball
Berntsen`s affinity for volleyball was not a casual interest; it was a woven into the fabric of his youth. Growing up in Naustdal, a small Norwegian town, he was immersed in a vibrant local volleyball scene, benefiting from proximity to national team players, including his own sister. This early exposure to high-level play laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication. His trajectory from a young enthusiast to a national team player was natural, but it was the influence of Kåre Mol—a pioneering figure in Norwegian beach volleyball and Berntsen’s brother-in-law—that truly sparked his coaching ambition.
For Berntsen, volleyball was never merely a game; it was a lifestyle. His dream was always to dedicate his professional life to the sport, not necessarily as a player, but as a mentor and developer of talent. This passion translated into a continuous commitment to coaching younger teams, even while actively competing at an elite level. His work at Toppvolley Norge, a renowned volleyball school, exemplifies this dedication, fostering an environment rich in culture, knowledge, and an infectious atmosphere for aspiring players.
Jetmund Berntsen celebrating with Anders Mol and Christian Sorum after their Tokyo 2020 Olympic final triumph. A testament to years of dedicated work.
Forging the Vikings: The Genesis of Greatness
The “fairy-tale story” of the Beachvolley Vikings began with a clear vision: to cultivate a new generation of Norwegian beach volleyball talent. Berntsen, alongside Kåre Mol, recognized a special blend of potential within a group of promising youngsters, notably Anders Mol, Mathias Berntsen, and Christian Sorum. Their early years involved meticulous experimentation, testing various player combinations to unearth the most potent synergy. This wasn`t a rushed decision; it was a deliberate, data-driven quest for optimal chemistry.
The pivotal moment arrived with the pairing of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. Their on-court chemistry and shared understanding of the game were undeniable, marking them as the future. The immediate goal was audacious: qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. What unfolded next was a rapid ascent that transcended even the team`s own expectations, redefining what was possible in beach volleyball.
Guiding the Norwegian national team to victory at the CEV Nations Cup 2022 in Vienna.
The Ascent to Olympus: A Dynasty Unfolds
From 2018 to 2022, the Mol/Sorum duo embarked on an unparalleled winning streak, securing nearly every major title available. Yet, amidst the Olympic gold and multiple European and World Championship victories, Berntsen`s most cherished memory remains their first World Tour triumph at the Gstaad five-star in 2018. It wasn`t just a win; it was a declaration. A small Norwegian team, comprising two players and a single coach, defied the established elite. The emotional climax of that tournament—Christian Sorum`s improbable defense on a match point that left opponents and even their coach stunned—solidified their belief in achieving anything.
This period of dominance, though seemingly miraculous from an outside perspective, was the fruit of methodical planning and a deep understanding of player potential. It wasn`t about short-term gains but about building a sustainable foundation for greatness.
The satisfaction of success: Jetmund Berntsen after winning EuroBeachVolley 2019 in Moscow.
The Art of Invisible Coaching: Strategy Over Sideline Shouts
One of the most distinctive aspects of beach volleyball coaching is the rule prohibiting in-game communication. Unlike indoor volleyball, where coaches orchestrate plays from the sidelines, beach volleyball demands self-reliance and instantaneous decision-making from its two players. Berntsen embraces this limitation, asserting that it fosters mental fortitude and technical mastery. He believes that “tactics never win games” alone; it`s the players` ability to handle momentum shifts and execute under pressure that truly matters. While the coach`s direct involvement is limited to time-outs and between sets, this restriction underscores the profound importance of pre-match preparation and instilling an unwavering self-belief in the athletes. It`s an art of influence, not interference.
This “invisible coaching” paradoxically puts more pressure on the developmental phase. Every drill, every strategy session, and every piece of feedback must equip players to solve problems on the fly, making the coach`s role more akin to an engineer designing a self-correcting system than a conductor directing an orchestra.
Fame`s Fickle Embrace: The Paradox of Recognition
Despite crafting one of the most dominant teams in beach volleyball history, Berntsen admits that widespread public recognition in Norway remains an uphill battle. While Anders Mol and Christian Sorum enjoy celebrity status within the sport`s global community, their achievements are often overshadowed by Norway`s traditional media fixation on winter sports and football. It`s a curious paradox: world-beating success on the global stage, yet a relative anonymity in their home country`s broader media landscape. Berntsen approaches this with pragmatic resolve, acknowledging the challenge but remaining focused on the continuous growth of the sport, hoping that one day, beach volleyball will claim its rightful share of the national spotlight.
Legacy of the Unseen Hand
Jetmund Berntsen`s career is a testament to the power of unwavering dedication, strategic vision, and a profound understanding of the human element in sports. He is not merely a coach; he is a developer of talent, a strategist of chemistry, and a quiet champion for a sport that demands self-sufficiency from its athletes. His blueprint for the Beachvolley Vikings highlights that true coaching success often lies not in commanding from the sidelines, but in meticulously preparing athletes to command their own destiny on the sand. The trophies and titles are certainly tangible, but Berntsen`s most enduring legacy might well be the subtle art of empowering champions to fly, quite literally, on their own terms.
