Following last week`s U22 European Beach Volleyball Championships in Baden, where teams from Ukraine and France were crowned champions, attention now turns to Madrid. The Spanish capital is set to host the 2025 CEV U20 European Championship this week, with more continental titles up for grabs.
Spanish duo Carro and Izuzquiza previously won the 2023 U18 European Championship in Madrid.
From Thursday to Sunday, the Parque Deportivo Puerta de Hierro, a venue with a history of hosting events like the Beach Pro Tour Futures and CEV Beach Nations Cup stops, will welcome teams from 32 different nations across the continent. Winners in both the men`s and women`s categories will elevate their countries to the pinnacle of European beach volleyball in this age group.
As the host, Spain aims high for the title. On the women’s side, the duo of Marta Carro and Sofía Izuzquiza are their strongest contenders. These 19-year-olds clinched victory at the 2023 U18 EuroBeachVolley, also held in Madrid, and will be looking for another triumph on home soil. They also secured a silver medal at the U19 World Championship in 2024, highlighting their consistent performance.
Austrians Lia Berger and Lilli Hohenauer, who took over from the Spanish as U18 European champions last year, are also strong candidates for gold in Madrid. They earned a bronze medal at last year’s U20 European Championship, and with a full season of experience now behind them, they are expected to be even more formidable in the fight for this week`s title.
Austrians Berger and Hohenauer have consistently achieved strong results in Age Group European Championships over recent years.
CEV U20 European Championship – Women`s Division
Latvia’s 17-year-old Līva Ēbere, who won silver in 2024, is set to return after her podium finish in Myslowice. After earning multiple medals in Age Group European Championships with her long-time partner Deniela Konstantinova, she will now pair with 19-year-old Renāte Krūklīte for the Madrid tournament.
CEV U20 European Championship – Men`s Division
In the men’s competition, Spain`s leading team will comprise 17-year-old Victor López de Miguel and 16-year-old Alejandro Calvo López. This event marks their first international appearance, taking place in their home country`s capital.
Among the top contenders for the men’s gold are Poland`s Szymon Pietraszek and Jakub Krzeminski. They arrive at the championship as the reigning U19 world champions, having secured their title in China last year.
Danish pair Andreas Brinck and Villads Napier, who made history by winning the U18 European Championship in 2023, will also be aiming to add another continental title to their list of achievements this week in Madrid.
Danish duo Brinck and Napier previously won gold in Madrid in 2023 at the U18 European Championship.
The tournament format will see 32 teams in each gender divided into eight pools of four. Pool winners will directly advance to the Round of 16, while the second and third-ranked duos will compete in the Round of 24. Pool play is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with the elimination rounds taking place on Saturday. The semifinals and medal matches will conclude the championship on Sunday.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood