Article published on Sunday, August 10, 2025
European beach volleyball teams showcased their exceptional talent this past week on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, securing all six medals at the Challenge event held in the scenic Austrian city of Baden. This impressive clean sweep underscores the continent`s formidable presence in the sport.
Both the women`s and men`s podiums at the Thermalstrandbad Baden were exclusively occupied by European teams. German, Dutch, and Ukrainian pairs claimed the top three spots in the women`s event, while tandems from Sweden, Germany, and France earned the men`s medals.
In the women`s competition, Germans Linda Bock and Louisa Lippmann celebrated their first-ever Beach Pro Tour title as partners. They triumphed in the gold medal match, defeating the Dutch duo Mila Konink and Raisa Schoon—who were making their inaugural joint podium appearance—in straight sets (22-20, 21-9).
It feels incredible to win our first title together here in Baden. The competition was tough, but we played our best when it mattered most.
Linda Bock
German Beach Volleyball Player
The bronze medal in the women`s category was secured by Ukrainians Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil, marking their first podium finish at the Challenge level. They achieved this by overcoming Finland’s Niina Ahtiainen and Taru Lahti in two sets (21-18, 21-16).
Swedish Pair Secures Gold with Impressive Revenge Victory
In the men’s tournament, Swedish sensations Jacob Hölting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson clinched their second title of the season and their fifth overall on the Beach Pro Tour. They defeated Germany`s Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler in a two-set thriller (21-18, 21-16).
This gold medal encounter was a highly anticipated rematch of their CEV EuroBeachVolley Round of 16 clash just over a week prior, where Ehlers and Wickler had narrowly emerged victorious after a hard-fought three-set battle.
Winning this title feels particularly sweet, especially after our last match against the Germans. We learned from that experience and came back stronger.
Elmer Andersson
Swedish Beach Volleyball Player
Completing the all-European men`s podium, French duo Rémi Bassereau and Calvin Aye secured their first joint Beach Pro Tour medal. They earned the bronze by triumphing over American Olympians Chase Budinger and Miles Evans in a thrilling tie-breaker (16-21, 21-17, 15-10).
Following this successful European stop, the Beach Pro Tour will next head to North America, with the Canadian city of Montreal hosting an Elite event from Wednesday to Sunday.
Jasper Thornfield 
Finley Blackwood