The highly anticipated annual celebration of European beach volleyball is just around the corner! Next week, from Wednesday to Sunday, Düsseldorf, Germany, will host the 33rd edition of the CEV EuroBeachVolley, bringing together the continent`s top teams.
This tournament marks Germany`s fourth time hosting the event, and the first time it takes place in Düsseldorf. Held at the popular Rochus Club, the competition is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with every top European team having confirmed their participation.
The 32 women’s teams have been divided into eight pools of four. Each team will play twice in a modified pool play system. The eight pool winners will advance directly to the Round of 16, while the 16 teams ranked second and third will proceed to the Round of 24.
Women`s pool play will occur on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Round of 24 matches also scheduled for Thursday. The Round of 16 and quarterfinals will follow on Friday, the semifinals on Saturday, and the medal matches will conclude the event on Sunday.
It promises to be an exhilarating week of elite-level beach volleyball in Düsseldorf. As the first serve approaches, let’s delve into the women’s Pools A, B, C, and D:
Pool A Analysis
Teams: Valentina Gottardi/Reka Orsi Toth (Italy), Marketa Svozilova/Marie-Sára Štochlová (Czechia), Valentyna Davidova/Anhelina Khmil (Ukraine), Ieva Dumbauskaite/Gerda Grudzinskaite (Lithuania)
Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth, a new pairing for the 2025 season, have already secured strong results on the Beach Pro Tour, positioning them as top contenders for first place in Pool A. Despite their youth, both players possess significant international experience from multiple EuroBeachVolley appearances.
The Czech and Ukrainian teams are expected to vie for second place. Svozilova and Štochlová (Czechia) have shown some inconsistency in international events this year, whereas Davidova and Khmil (Ukraine) are among the continent`s fastest-rising teams since their partnership began in 2024. Although Dumbauskaite and Grudzinskaite (Lithuania) are the lowest-seeded team, their experience at the Futures level gives them the potential for an upset. The Italians are well-positioned for direct advancement to the Round of 16, but should remain vigilant against the Ukrainians, who are poised to achieve strong results at a higher level. The Czechs are favored for the third elimination round spot, with the Lithuanians as dark horses.
Pool B Analysis
Teams: Dorina Klinger/Ronja Klinger (Austria), Emi van Driel/Wies Bekhuis (Netherlands), Yeva Serdiuk/Daria Romaniuk (Ukraine), Chenoa Christ/Anna-Chiara Reformat (Germany)
The Klinger sisters from Austria have established themselves as one of Europe`s top teams in recent years and are expected to comfortably lead Pool B. While their opponents show potential, they likely lack the experience required to pose a significant challenge.
Emi van Driel and Wies Bekhuis (Netherlands) are a very promising young team and the most likely candidates for second place. However, they will need to outperform Yeva Serdiuk and Daria Romaniuk (Ukraine), another Ukrainian duo that has been achieving good results recently. Chenoa Christ and 16-year-old Anna-Chiara Reformat (Germany) are a new pairing who will face a tough test against more experienced opponents. The Austrians are clear favorites for the top spot, with the Dutch expected to finish second. The Ukrainians and Germans will likely contend for the final elimination round position.
Pool C Analysis
Teams: Anouk Vergé-Dépré/Zoé Vergé-Dépré (Switzerland), Sandra Ittlinger/Anna-Lena Grüne (Germany), Mila Konink/Raisa Schoon (Netherlands), Julia Radelczuk/Natalia Okla (Poland)
The Vergé-Dépré sisters (Switzerland) are arguably the most in-form team in international beach volleyball, having medaled in their last four Beach Pro Tour events. They are the clear favorites to win Pool C, but anticipate strong competition from both the German and Dutch teams.
Sandra Ittlinger and Anna-Lena Grüne (Germany) are gaining momentum, fresh from helping Germany triumph at the Beach Nations Cup Finals and improving with each match in their first year as partners. Raisa Schoon, a two-time Olympian, and 19-year-old Mila Konink (Netherlands) possess the potential to form a formidable team, though they are yet to achieve a significant result together. Julia Radelczuk and Natalia Okla (Poland), with limited international experience since 2024, face a considerable challenge to reach the elimination rounds. Anouk and Zoé are undoubtedly the top team in the pool, but will need to perform at their best against an improving German team and a promising Dutch duo to secure their top seed. While the Polish team has slim theoretical chances, they could benefit from an underdog position to achieve a crucial win and advance.
Pool D Analysis
Teams: Tanja Hüberli/Leona Kernen (Switzerland), Tina Graudina/Anastasija Samoilova (Latvia), Melanie Paul/Lea Sophie Kunst (Germany), Heleene Hollas/Liisa Remmelg (Estonia)
Pool D is poised to deliver the most thrilling and unpredictable battle for first place, as there is minimal separation between Hüberli/Kernen (Switzerland) and Tina/Anastasija (Latvia). The Latvians, two-time EuroBeachVolley champions, bring more experience, while the Swiss pair has demonstrated exceptional form since forming their partnership at the start of the season.
The fight for third place also promises excitement. Melanie Paul and Lea Sophie Kunst (Germany) will have the home-court advantage and have shown potential despite some inconsistency. Meanwhile, Heleene Hollas and Liisa Remmelg (Estonia) have been Estonia`s leading team in recent years and are in excellent form at the Futures level. There is a clear distinction between the top two teams and the other two in this pool, setting the stage for engaging second-round matches as duos compete for direct advancement or a spot in the elimination rounds.
