This year`s EuroBeachVolley in Düsseldorf will feature a strong field of competitors, including past Olympic, World, and European champions. The tournament roster boasts many of the sport`s leading figures alongside promising young pairs eager to test their skills against the elite. A total of 32 men`s and 32 women`s teams will be drawn into eight groups for the preliminary phase on July 7th.
The men`s competition is particularly stacked with major stars. This includes reigning Olympic champions David Åhman/Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden (also two-time European champions), Norway`s Anders Mol/Christian Sørum (Olympic gold medalists in Tokyo, World champions in 2022, and four-time European champions), and current World champions Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner from Czechia. Other prominent teams are Latvia`s Martins Plavins/Kristians Fokerots (last year`s European champions) and Germany`s Nils Ehlers/Clemens Wickler (Olympic silver medalists in Paris and local favorites).
Spanish veteran Adrian Gavira will participate for the 14th consecutive year, this time partnered with Alejandro Huerta, following his long-standing successful partnership with the retired Pablo Herrera. Gavira previously won European gold in 2013. Alexander Brouwer of the Netherlands, a 2013 World champion and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, will compete with his current partner, Steven van de Velde.
Men`s teams from 16 countries will compete. Germany has the largest representation with six teams, while the Netherlands and Switzerland each enter three.
The women`s event features six former European champions. Among them are the defending champions Cinja Tillmann and Svenja Müller from Germany, and two-time champions Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova of Latvia. Switzerland`s Tanja Hüberli and Anouk Vergé-Dépré, also past winners, will compete, though with different partners than when they won their titles.
Seven German teams will compete in the women`s draw, leading the field from 14 countries. Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Ukraine are also strongly represented with three teams each.
The top seven ranked teams, plus the highest-ranked German team as the host nation, will be the top seeds for the preliminary pools according to the EuroBeachVolley Entry Ranking. Anders Mol and Christian Sørum are the top seeds in the men`s tournament, while Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth of Italy are the top seeds in the women`s event. Gottardi earned silver last year with her previous partner, Marta Menegatti, who is currently taking time away from the sport.
The tournament will take place at the historic Rochus Tennisclub in Düsseldorf from July 30th to August 3rd, a venue previously known for hosting tennis greats. Now, it will host the world`s top beach volleyball players. The event has generated significant excitement, with tickets for the final three days already sold out.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood