Leveraging their home-court advantage, German women`s beach volleyball teams kicked off the main draw of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event in Hamburg with an impeccable performance, securing four wins in as many matches on Thursday.
Anna-Lena Grüne in action during her match against the Dutch team.
Perfect Start for Home Teams
The electric atmosphere at the Am Rothenbaum Stadium clearly energized the local competitors. German duos Svenja Müller/Cinja Tillmann, Linda Bock/Louisa Lippmann, Sandra Ittlinger/Anna-Lena Grüne, and Paula Schürholz/Lea Kunst each delivered impressive straight-set victories, securing their progression to the elimination stages. These four formidable German teams, alongside eight other undefeated pairs, now have the golden opportunity to bypass the Round of 18 and advance directly to the coveted Round of 12 by winning their upcoming second pool matches on Friday.
Key Matchups and Thrilling Victories
Leading the German charge, Müller and Tillmann began their tournament with a decisive victory over Japanese qualifiers Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami, dominating with scores of 21-8, 22-20. Their next challenge will be against the Czech pair Markéta Svozilová and Marie-Sára Štochlová, who surprisingly defeated Brazilians Hegeile ‘Hegê’ Almeida and Vitória Rodrigues in a solid straight-set performance (21-19, 21-19) in Pool A.
In Pool B, Ittlinger and Grüne delivered a commanding performance, sweeping past Dutch duo Emi van Driel and Wies Bekhuis (21-9, 21-16). They are now set to face the current FIVB World Ranking leaders, Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes of Brazil, who narrowly escaped an upset by Estonian qualifiers Heleene Hollas and Liisa Remmelg, winning in a tense three-setter (19-21, 21-17, 15-12). Meanwhile, fresh off their recent triumph at the Baden Challenge, Bock and Lippmann maintained their winning streak in Pool E, confidently defeating Americans Kylie DeBerg and Xolani Hodel in straight sets (21-12, 21-15). Their upcoming match will pit them against reigning Olympic champions Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos of Brazil, who also started strong with a 2-0 victory (21-14, 21-16) against fellow Americans Hailey Harward and Molly Phillips.
Perhaps the most unexpected triumph came from wildcards Schürholz and Kunst, who stunned Italian pair Claudia Scampoli and Giada Bianchi with a two-set win (21-17, 21-17) in Pool C. They will now prepare to face Latvian Olympians Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova, who also secured a straight-set victory (21-19, 21-12) over Czechs Kylie Neuschaeferova and Martina Maixnerova. In Pool D, where no German teams were featured, Brazilian Olympians Carol Salgado and Rebecca Cavalcanti defeated Americans Brook Bauer and Madelyne Anderson (21-17, 21-16), while Finland’s Taru Lahti and Niina Ahtiainen bested Dutch duo Raisa Schoon and Mila Konink (21-14, 21-12), both claiming opening-day wins.
Pool F saw strong starts from Italy`s Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth, who overcame French opponents Lézana Placette and Alexia Richard in a tight two-setter (26-24, 21-16). Also advancing were the French pair Aline Chamereau and Clémence Vieira, who battled past Ukrainians Yeva Serdiuk and Daria Romaniuk in a thrilling three-set match (17-21, 21-17, 15-9).
Tournament Schedule and Anticipation
The crucial pool play phase will conclude on Friday, alongside the intense Round of 18 matches. Saturday will host the thrilling Round of 12 and quarterfinals, setting the stage for the highly anticipated semifinals and medal matches on Sunday, which will bring the entire event to its exciting climax. Fans can look forward to more top-tier beach volleyball action as the competition heats up.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick