European beach volleyball teams achieved significant success at the recent Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event in Gstaad, Switzerland, securing a total of four medals on Sunday. This traditional stop on the tour delivered excellent results for European pairs.
Duos representing Latvia, host nation Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands reached the podium, contributing two silver and two bronze medals to Europe`s tally at this prestigious tournament held in the Swiss Alps.
In the women`s final, Latvian Olympians Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova were Europe`s top contenders, facing Americans Kristen Nuss and Taryn Brasher. The American duo proved too strong, winning 2-0 (21-19, 21-18) and claiming their second consecutive gold medal in Gstaad, leaving the Latvians with silver.
The women`s bronze medal match was an all-Swiss affair, with sisters Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré defeating compatriots Tanja Hüberli and Leona Kernen in straight sets (21-17, 21-11). This victory marked a historic moment, as they became the first Swiss women`s pair in 12 years to win a medal at their home event in Gstaad.
Comments from athlete: Anouk Vergé-Dépré
In the men`s competition, the young Swedish pair of Jacob Hölting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson concluded a remarkable run, which began in the qualifiers on Wednesday, by claiming the silver medal. The reigning U22 European champions put up a strong fight against Qatari Olympic medalists Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in the final but were ultimately defeated in two tight sets (21-19, 22-20).
The Netherlands` Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot, previous winners in Gstaad in 2021, secured Europe`s third medal in the men`s event. They overcame Brazilians André Loyola and George Wanderley in a three-set battle (21-23, 21-17, 15-10) to take the bronze. This podium finish was a fitting way for de Groot to celebrate his 25th birthday.
Comments from athlete: Yorick de Groot
The Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 schedule continues with the next stop in Montréal, Canada, set to take place from August 13 to 17, 2025.
