Young Austrian talents Lia Berger (17) and Lilli Hohenauer (18), already distinguished as reigning U18 European champions, are now aiming for further success in the U22 division. This season has seen them make significant strides on both the national and international stages, securing gold medals at the MEVZA Zonal Tour event in Innsbruck this past May, followed by another victory at the Beach Pro Tour Futures tournament in Leuven, Belgium, just last week.
Their fiercest competitors are anticipated to come from Czechia, Poland, and Ukraine. Czech Republic’s Anna and Katerina Pavelkova are the defending U22 European champions, having claimed gold at last year`s event in Türkiye. They have solidified their status as rising stars by also winning a home Futures event in Prague. Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio of Poland, silver medalists from last year, are also returning to #EuroBeachVolleyU22. This season, they have advanced to the quarterfinals of Challenge events held in Alanya (Türkiye) and Warmia Mazury (Poland). Ukraine`s Yeva Serdiuk and Daria Romaniuk, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in 2024, are also considered strong contenders for a podium finish. Representing Austria alongside Berger and Hohenauer will be Anna Hammarberg/Emma Hohenauer and Alisa Zoe Boyd/Jana Zierler.
Men`s Competition: Austrian Duo Leads the Charge
Austria also harbors high hopes for success in the men`s tournament on home soil. Tim Berger and Timo Hammarberg boast an impressive track record in age-group competitions, including a silver medal from the 2023 U21 World Championships. Berger and Hammarberg have also proven their capability in the senior category, reaching the quarterfinals of an Elite Pro Tour event in Brasilia earlier this season.
Their most formidable opponents are expected to be Kristians Fokerots and Gustavs Auzins of Latvia, the reigning U20 European champions. Fokerots gained significant attention following his surprising EuroBeachVolley gold medal triumph in late summer 2024 alongside the experienced Martins Plavins. Another pair to watch is Norway`s Adrian Mol and Even Stray Aas, who secured a silver medal last year in Türkiye, only losing the final match to Sweden`s Elmer Andersson and Jacob Hölting Nilsson. France`s Arthur Canet and Téo Rotar, who have been competing with different partners on the World Tour, will reunite for the U22 competition, eager to add another achievement to their growing list of accolades. Completing the Austrian delegation are Michael Klemen/Philipp Sponer and Moritz Nedetzky/Elias Holzinger.
Anticipation is high, and Austrian fans can look forward to an exciting spectacle when this year’s #EuroBeachVolleyU22 unfolds in the renowned setting of the Strandbad in Baden.
