In the high-stakes world of elite sports, the spotlight often falls on the athletes—the heroes who execute the dazzling plays and claim the coveted medals. Yet, behind every champion duo, there often stands a less visible, profoundly influential figure: the coach. For Norway`s Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, famously known as the “Beachvolley Vikings,” that guiding force is Jetmund Berntsen, a man whose journey from childhood enthusiast to architect of Olympic gold is as compelling as any championship match.
Roots of a Passion: From Inland Courts to Sandy Shores
Berntsen’s path to coaching greatness wasn`t a sudden epiphany but a lifelong immersion in the sport. Growing up in Naustdal, a small Norwegian locale, volleyball wasn`t just a pastime; it was a way of life. Surrounded by top-tier indoor players, including his sister Merita, and exposed to professional men`s teams, Berntsen`s foundation was laid early. He began organized volleyball at seven, quickly expanding his repertoire to beach volleyball in the summers of the early 1990s.
A pivotal influence was his brother-in-law, Kare Mol (Merita`s husband and a national team player), who became a mentor and a source of inspiration for Berntsen’s coaching aspirations. This familial connection to the sport, particularly to the Mol family, would later prove instrumental in shaping the “Beachvolley Vikings.” For Berntsen, volleyball transcended a mere profession; it was a “lifestyle,” a deep-seated commitment that saw him coaching younger teams even while he himself competed at a high level. His dedication to nurturing talent led him to Toppvolley Norge, a renowned volleyball school he wholeheartedly recommends, praising its unique culture and energetic environment for developing young players.
Jetmund Berntsen with the Norwegian national team at CEV Nations Cup 2022 in Vienna, a testament to his broader influence.
Forging the Vikings: A Tale of Vision and Chemistry
The saga of the “Beachvolley Vikings” is less a fairy tale and more a meticulously crafted ascent. Berntsen, alongside Kare Mol, observed a young Anders Mol at the 2009 World Championship in Stavanger, where a 12-year-old Anders boldly declared his future as the youngest Grand Slam player. This precocious ambition foreshadowed what was to come. By 2014, Anders, at 16, and Mathias Berntsen, at 18, made good on that promise, qualifying for the Stavanger main draw, marking them as the youngest team to compete in a Grand Slam.
Recognizing an exceptional pool of young talent, and with the senior national team struggling to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, Berntsen and his colleagues initiated the “Beachvolley Vikings” project. The primary objective: to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The initial years (2016-2017) were a period of strategic experimentation, testing various player combinations. The challenge wasn`t a lack of talent, but an abundance of it, with different pairings achieving success at youth championships and elite World Tour events.
Ultimately, the undeniable chemistry and shared understanding of the game between Anders Mol and Christian Sorum solidified their partnership. What followed was a period of unprecedented dominance. While the Olympic, World, and multiple European titles are monumental, Berntsen fondly recalls their first World Tour victory at the Gstaad five-star in 2018 as particularly special. It was a moment of profound validation—a “small team from Norway, with two players and a coach, beating the rest of the world`s elite.” His “out-of-body experience” reaction, including an impromptu celebratory kiss with a nearby spectator, perfectly encapsulates the raw emotion of that breakthrough. This victory, marked by Christian Sorum`s incredible defense at a crucial match point, ignited the belief that they could indeed conquer everything.
A moment of triumph: Celebrating EuroBeachVolley 2019 victory in Moscow, a testament to years of dedicated effort.
The Silent Strategist: Coaching in Beach Volleyball`s Unique Arena
Unlike indoor volleyball, beach volleyball largely prohibits in-match coaching, limiting direct interaction to time-outs and between sets. This rule places a greater emphasis on player autonomy and on-court decision-making. Berntsen, surprisingly, expresses no strong desire to change this fundamental aspect of the game. He observes that excessive coaching can sometimes hinder rather than help, stating, “A lot of coaches talk too much and that will not always make the teams and the level better.”
For him, the beauty of beach volleyball lies in its inherent dynamism, the constant “momentum changers,” and how players independently navigate these shifts. It`s a sport demanding profound technical skill and, crucially, exceptional mental fortitude. While he acknowledges the ongoing debate and the potential for coaches to offer more insights during time-outs for fans and media, Berntsen believes the current balance preserves the core essence of the game. The coach, in this context, becomes a silent architect, instilling principles and strategies during training, allowing the players to execute and adapt in the heat of battle. A coach`s silent nod, it seems, often speaks volumes more than a shouted instruction from the sidelines.
Beyond the Limelight: Battling for Recognition in a Niche Sport
Despite their Olympic gold and multiple world titles, Jetmund Berntsen and the Beachvolley Vikings navigate a unique media landscape in Norway. One might expect such unparalleled success to catapult them into national superstardom. However, as Berntsen wryly notes, “in Norway, winter sports and football take up almost everything in media.” Even with top-10 global athletes in sports like tennis and golf, the cultural reverence for cross-country skiers and ski jumpers remains largely unshaken. It`s a persistent challenge for a “niche” sport like beach volleyball to carve out its deserved space in the national consciousness.
Berntsen remains pragmatic, acknowledging the uphill battle but unwavering in his dedication to grow the sport. While he and the Vikings are certainly known within the Norwegian volleyball community, broader public celebrity eludes them. It`s a quiet testament to their intrinsic motivation: their drive is not for fame, but for the pursuit of excellence and the love of the game. “Maybe some day,” he muses, reflecting on the arduous task of shifting national media attention.
Triumphant: Jetmund Berntsen with Mol & Sorum after their historic Tokyo 2020 Olympic final victory.
A Legacy Forged in Sand
Jetmund Berntsen’s impact on beach volleyball extends far beyond the impressive medal tally of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum. He represents a coaching philosophy rooted in deep personal passion, strategic long-term vision, and a profound respect for the athletes` innate abilities and mental resilience. He has not only guided his team to unprecedented heights but has also, through their success, elevated the sport itself, pushing boundaries and demonstrating what dedicated mentorship can achieve.
As the Beachvolley Vikings continue to inspire, Berntsen stands as a testament to the power of the “silent architect”—a coach whose greatest triumphs are often built not on shouted instructions, but on a meticulously laid foundation of trust, training, and an unwavering belief in the human spirit to conquer the sand and the world.
