The shores of Baden, Austria, recently played host to the 2025 U22 European Beach Volleyball Championship, an event that not only showcased the continent`s brightest young talents but also marked a significant turning point for two nations. For the first time in the tournament`s history, Ukraine claimed gold in the women`s division, while France achieved a similar historic feat in the men`s competition. These victories are not mere statistics; they are vivid indicators of evolving competitive landscapes and the promising future of beach volleyball across Europe.
Ukraine`s Golden Streak: Building on Recent Success
For Ukraine, this U22 triumph is particularly noteworthy, arriving hot on the heels of their senior national team`s success at the EuroBeachVolley just weeks prior. The momentum is undeniable, suggesting a well-structured and effective development pipeline within the Ukrainian volleyball federation. It appears that what was once a mere ripple is now a consistent wave of excellence.
The pair making history for Ukraine were 21-year-olds Daria Romaniuk and Yeva Serdiuk. Their journey to the top of the podium culminated in a commanding two-set victory (21-16, 21-18) against the formidable defending champions, Czech twins Anna and Katerina Pavelková. Romaniuk and Serdiuk are no strangers to the podium, having previously secured silver at the U18 EuroBeachVolley in 2021 and gold at the FIVB U19 World Championship in 2022. Their trajectory has been a steady incline, transforming near-misses into definitive victories, a testament to persistent effort and strategic improvement. One might suggest their previous U22 fourth-place finish merely served as reconnaissance for this gold-medal raid.
Completing the women`s podium were Poland`s Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio. After securing silver last year, they demonstrated commendable resilience, battling to a hard-fought bronze medal in a tie-breaker (21-23, 22-20, 15-13) against Swiss duo Muriel Bossart and Leona Kernen. Their consistent presence on the podium signals not just individual talent, but a robust competitive spirit that refuses to yield.
France`s Ascent: A New Powerhouse Emerges
On the men`s side, France celebrated a similarly historic moment, claiming their first U22 European Championship title. The architects of this triumph were Téo Rotar (21) and Arthur Canet (20), who delivered a masterclass performance to defeat Latvian standouts Kristians Fokerots and Olivers Bulgacs in straight sets (21-14, 21-18).
Rotar and Canet arrive in Baden with an impressive youth pedigree, boasting gold medals from both the U20 European Championship (2023) and the FIVB U19 World Championship (2021). Rotar, a key player in France`s CEV Beach Nations Cup victory last year, and Canet have clearly established themselves as a formidable force. Their third-place finish at last year`s U22 Championship now seems less like a consolation and more like a tactical reconnaissance mission for ultimate victory.
Their victory, while celebrated by France, also meant a temporary halt to the remarkable medal streak of Latvian phenom Kristians Fokerots. The 20-year-old blocker, who already holds U18 European Championship gold (2022) and both U20 and senior titles from last year, was prevented from adding a fourth distinct age-group title to his burgeoning collection. One might cynically suggest that Rotar and Canet merely postponed the inevitable, as Fokerots` career trajectory continues to ascend with remarkable consistency.
The men`s bronze medal brought joy to the home crowd, as Austrians Tim Berger and Timo Hammarberg secured third place. Their decisive straight-set victory (21-18, 21-8) over Lithuanians Karolis Palubinskas and Povilas Piesina was a fitting end to the tournament for the host nation, proving that sometimes, there`s no place like home to perform under pressure.
The Future is Now: A Dynamic European Landscape
The 2025 U22 European Championship was more than just a competition; it was a powerful statement about the evolving landscape of European beach volleyball. The emergence of new champions from Ukraine and France not only broadens the competitive field but also provides fresh inspiration for aspiring athletes across the continent. These historic “firsts” are a clear signal that the development of talent is diversifying, promising more exciting and unpredictable tournaments in the years to come.
With the U20 European Championship in Madrid just around the corner, the pipeline of young talent continues to flow. It`s an exciting time for European beach volleyball, where established powers are challenged, and new heroes are forged on the sand. The quest for gold, it seems, is only just beginning.
