Norway has cemented its place in history by becoming the first country to claim the CEV Beach Volley Nations Cup title twice. The Norwegian men’s team triumphed in the 2025 edition of the event, which concluded on Sunday in Espinho, Portugal, reaffirming their dominance in European beach volleyball.
The formidable “Beach Volley Vikings” delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament, held from Thursday to Sunday at Praia da Baía. This victory marks their triumphant return to the top of the podium, following their initial gold medal success in the inaugural 2022 event held in Vienna, Austria.
Anders Mol and Christian Sørum led Norway to victory in Portugal.
In a gripping final series, Norway faced their rivals, the Netherlands. After the two nations split wins in the initial two encounters, a decisive golden set was required to determine the champions. Norway ultimately emerged victorious, sharing the distinction of this year’s tournament winners alongside Germany.
The Dutch team initially gained an advantage in the final. Rio Olympic bronze medalist Alexander Brouwer and Paris Olympian Steven van de Velde secured the first match, defeating Hendrik Mol and Mathias Berntsen in straight sets with scores of 21-11 and 21-17.
However, an unfortunate turn of events occurred in the second match. Dutch defender Yorick de Groot suffered an injury during the first set, rendering him unable to continue the match alongside partner Stefan Boermans. This led to a forfeit victory for Norway’s formidable duo, Olympic, world, and four-time European champions Anders Mol and Christian Sørum.
With the series leveled, the tension built for the golden set. Both countries opted for mixed lineups to contest this crucial decider: Stefan Boermans and Alexander Brouwer represented the Netherlands, while Anders Mol paired with Mathias Berntsen for Norway. The Norwegian pair showcased superior play, securing the title with a commanding 15-12 victory.
This significant triumph in Espinho not only added another prestigious title to Norway’s accolades but also earned them an additional qualification slot for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship. This global event is scheduled to take place from November 14-23 in Australia, with Norway securing their place through the continental pathway.
Earlier in the semifinals, Norway demonstrated their strength by sweeping Spain in both matches. The Netherlands also advanced to the final by overcoming Austria, securing one match in three sets and another in straight sets.
The Beach Nations Cup, introduced to the European beach volleyball calendar in 2022, is an innovative and exciting “country versus country” competition. Its unique format closely mirrors that of the Davis Cup in tennis, offering a compelling team-based challenge within the realm of beach volleyball.
