The Eastern European Volleyball Zonal Association (EEVZA) launched the first-round zonal qualifier for this year`s #EuroBeachVolleyU20 tournament on Friday morning in Vilnius, Lithuania. This event marks the first time such zonal qualifying competitions have been organized for the U18 and U20 continental championships. Teams representing Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine are participating, all vying for a direct entry into the #EuroBeachVolleyU20 main event scheduled for later this summer in Madrid, Spain.
The competition structure includes an initial group stage played in a single round robin format, followed by a playoff round. Twelve teams will advance to the playoffs, but only the top two teams in each gender category will earn the coveted direct tickets to the U20 European Beach Volleyball Championships.
The opening day featured intense pool play, with all teams striving to finish first in their groups to secure a direct spot in the quarterfinals. Teams from Ukraine, Poland, and Latvia demonstrated strong performance, while the host nation`s representatives from Lithuania also showed potential as strong contenders.
As this event is being held for the very first time, it presents a new challenge for both the Local Organising Committee and the participating players, who greatly appreciate this additional opportunity to compete against their peers from across the Eastern European region.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood