Following last week`s U22 European Championship in Baden, where teams from Ukraine and France claimed titles, attention now shifts to Madrid. The Spanish capital is set to host the 2025 CEV U20 European Championship this week, with more continental beach volleyball crowns up for grabs.
Between Thursday and Sunday, the Parque Deportivo Puerta de Hierro, a venue familiar with numerous tournaments including Beach Pro Tour Futures and CEV Beach Nations Cup stops, will welcome teams representing 32 different European nations. Winners in both the men`s and women`s categories will secure their countries` top positions in this age group of European beach volleyball.
As host nation, Spain harbors strong aspirations for victory. Their primary hope in the women`s category rests with the formidable duo of Marta Carroa and Sofía Izuzquiza. These 19-year-olds previously dominated the 2023 U18 EuroBeachVolley, also held in Madrid, and will be looking to replicate that success before their home crowd this week. They also secured a silver medal at the U19 World Championship in 2024, highlighting their consistent performance.
Austria`s Lia Berger and Lilli Hohenauer, who took over the U18 European champion title from the Spanish last year, are also considered strong contenders for gold in Madrid. Having earned a bronze medal at last year`s U20 European Championship and now boasting a full season of additional experience, they are expected to be even more formidable challengers for the championship.
CEV U20 European Championship – Women
From Latvia, 17-year-old Līva Ēbere, who claimed silver in 2024 at Myslowice, is returning to the podium. After securing numerous age-group medals with her former partner Deniela Konstantinova, she will now team up with 19-year-old Renāte Krūklīte for this week`s competition in Madrid.
CEV U20 European Championship – Men
In the men`s division, Spain`s leading team comprises 17-year-old Victor López de Miguel and 16-year-old Alejandro Calvo López. This tournament in the nation`s capital marks their debut on the international stage.
Among the top contenders for the men`s gold medal are Poland`s Szymon Pietraszek and Jakub Krzeminski. They arrive in Madrid as the reigning U19 world champions, having secured their title in China last year.
The Danish duo of Andreas Brinck and Villads Napier, who made history by winning the U18 European Championship in 2023, are also eager to add another continental title to their impressive achievements this week in Madrid.
For both genders, the 32 participating teams will be divided into eight pools of four. The winners of each pool will proceed directly to the Round of 16, while teams finishing second and third will advance to the Round of 24. Pool play is set for Thursday and Friday, followed by the elimination rounds on Saturday. The tournament will culminate on Sunday with the semifinals and medal matches.
