Poland and Denmark have been crowned continental champions at the CEV U20 European Beach Volleyball Championship, which recently concluded in Madrid. Teams from both nations showcased exceptional talent and resilience, securing top honors in the 2025 season`s premier youth beach volleyball event.
The highly anticipated tournament took place at the Parque Deportivo Puerta de Hierro in the vibrant Spanish capital. Over four days, athletes from 32 different European countries competed fiercely for the coveted gold medals, demonstrating the growing strength of youth beach volleyball across the continent.
Women`s Tournament: Poland`s New Duo Shines Bright
In the women`s competition, the Polish team of 18-year-old Zuzanna Kudlik and 19-year-old Julia Radelczuk delivered a truly commanding performance. Despite playing together for the first time in their international careers this week, the duo replicated Poland`s past success, following in the footsteps of Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio, who won in 2023.
Kudlik and Radelczuk navigated the tournament flawlessly, winning all seven of their matches without dropping a single set. Their dominant run culminated in a decisive gold medal victory over French pair Romane Sobezalz and Saofé Duval, with final scores of 25-23 and 21-16.
The bronze medal match saw reigning U18 European champions Lia Berger and Lilli Hohenauer of Austria secure their place on the podium. They convincingly defeated Latvian duo Līva Ēbere and Renāte Krūklīte in straight sets, 21-19 and 21-8, showcasing their consistent high-level performance.
Men`s Tournament: Denmark`s Promising Pair Triumphs Again
The men`s event witnessed Danish talents Andreas Brinck, aged 19, and Villads Napier celebrate their second continental title in Madrid. Their victory echoed their triumph at the U18 European Championship held in the same city in 2023, further solidifying their status as one of Europe`s most promising beach volleyball teams.
Brinck and Napier also maintained an undefeated record throughout their campaign, securing seven victories. While they dropped two sets across the week, including one in a thrilling gold medal match, their ultimate win was well-deserved. They overcame Finland’s Veeti Viljamaa and Aleksi Hänninen in a captivating tie-breaker, with set scores of 21-18, 21-23, and 15-11.
The bronze medal was earned by the Hungarian duo Bence Tari and Ákos Veress, who emerged victorious against Italians Andrea Sanguanini and Matteo Marchesan in a closely contested three-set battle (16-21, 21-18, 15-11).
Upcoming Event on the Horizon:
The final age group continental tournament scheduled for the 2025 season, the U18 European Championship, is set to take place in Corigliano Rossano, Italy, from September 11-14. Young talents will once again gather to compete for European glory.
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