Ukrainian and French teams, significantly bolstered by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, emerged triumphant at the recent CEV U22 Beach Volleyball European Championships held in Baden. Notably, four of the six medal-winning national federations had previously received crucial support from this funding initiative, underscoring its pivotal role in fostering youth development in the sport.
In a remarkable display of skill, Ukraine`s Yeva Serdiuk and Daria Romaniuk clinched the women`s gold medal, overcoming Czechia`s Katerina and Anna Pavelkova in a compelling final match. On the men`s side, France`s Teo Rotar and Arthur Canet secured the gold. The silver medal was awarded to Latvia`s Olivers Bulgacs and Kristians Fokerots, while Austria`s Timo Hammarberg and Tim Berger proudly claimed the bronze. The women`s bronze medal went to Poland`s Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio.
The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program has been an indispensable resource for the Ukraine Volleyball Federation, channeling USD 670,000 since 2022 to bolster its volleyball and beach volleyball activities. Similarly, the Czech Volleyball Federation benefited from USD 168,000 dedicated to women`s beach volleyball coach support, alongside an additional USD 24,000 for national team coach development, notably leveraging the expertise of Argentinean coach Sebastian Menegozzo. France`s beach volleyball sector has also reaped substantial benefits, receiving over USD 1 million in coach support and further equipment funding. Austria`s beach volleyball program was granted USD 84,000 for coach support and USD 6,000 for development initiatives, with Greek coach Georgios Kotsilianos guiding their men`s national duos.
Ukraine`s Yeva Serdiuk and Daria Romaniuk executed an flawless performance throughout the women`s tournament in Austria, securing straight-set victories in all seven matches to earn their inaugural continental gold. This adds to their impressive track record, which includes U18 European silver in 2021 and U19 world champions in 2022. Their path to victory culminated in a decisive 2-0 (28-26, 21-14) win against Switzerland`s Muriel Bossart and Leona Kernen in the semifinals, followed by a commanding 2-0 (21-16, 21-18) triumph over the Czech Pavelkova sisters in the final.
The 19-year-old Pavelkova twins also navigated an impressive, undefeated journey to the final, dropping merely one set en route. Their semifinal victory, a 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) win against Poland`s Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio, earned them their fourth age-category continental medal, now comprising U18 gold in 2022, U20 bronze in 2023, and U22 silver in 2024 (from this event). In a nail-biting bronze medal match, the Polish duo narrowly defeated the Swiss pair 2-1 (21-23, 22-20, 15-13), securing their fourth major age-group medal, following U20 European gold in 2023, U21 world bronze in 2023, and U22 silver in 2024.
Women’s Results and Standings
France`s Teo Rotar and Arthur Canet, already celebrated as U19 world champions in 2021 and U20 European champions in 2023, augmented their stellar collection with another age-group European title. They conceded just a single set across their seven matches in Baden. Following a tense semifinal encounter where they narrowly edged out Austria`s Timo Hammarberg and Tim Berger 2-0 (22-20, 23-21), Rotar and Canet delivered a dominant 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) sweep in the final against Latvia`s Olivers Bulgacs and Kristians Fokerots.
Bulgacs and Fokerots successfully elevated their previous U20 and U22 continental bronze medals, achieving silver this time around. Their impressive streak of six consecutive wins in Baden culminated in a hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 23-21) semifinal victory over Lithuania`s Karolis Palubinskas and Povilas Piesina. Hammarberg and Berger, quickly recovering from their semifinal defeat, secured the bronze medal by defeating Palubinskas and Piesina 2-0 (21-18, 21-8). This latest achievement marks their fifth age-group medal, adding to their notable accomplishments, which include U18 European bronze in 2021, U20 European gold in 2022, U20 European silver in 2023, and U21 world silver in 2023.
Men’s Results and Standings
The CEV U22 Beach Volleyball European Championships attracted a broad field of 32 women`s and 32 men`s teams, representing 27 diverse national federations.
