Austrians and Italians claim U18 European crowns
U18 EuroBeachVolley
Teams from Austria and Italy won dramatic three-setters to stand taller at the podium of the 2024 CEV U18 EuroBeachVolley, which came to an end on Sunday, in Kachreti, Georgia, and take their countries to glory at the age group level.
Austrians Lia Berger and Lilli Hohenauer and Italians Matteo Iurisci and Laurin Zoeschg gave their nations their first titles in the age group, prevailing over opponents from 32 other European countries who made the trip to Georgia. Germany was the only nation to win multiple medals, taking bronze among the women and silver among the men.
The title of the 16-year-old Berger and the 17-year-old Hohenauer was a long time coming as the Austrians had taken silver in the last two editions of the tournament. Their wait finally came to an end in Kachreti, but not without drama, as they needed all three sets (21-19, 16-21, 15-7) to overcome Swiss Livia Stolz (16) and Linda Abbül (17) in the gold medal match in Georgia.
Lia Berger“It’s unbelievable, it was a really difficult match. We gave it our all and always believed in ourselves. We are overjoyed that we made it this time after losing in the finals in the last two years.”
Austrian Beach Volleyball Player
Bronze went to Germans Mila Jancar (16) and Anna-Chiara Reformat (17), who topped 17-year-old Italians Linda Moretti and Gaia Novello in straight sets (21-13, 21-9) to rank third and secure the last spot on the podium.
In the men’s final, 17-year-old Iurisci and 16-year-old Zoeschg got the better of 16-year-old Germans Jonathan Bungert and Kalle Pieper, coming from behind to triumph 2-1 (19-21, 21-17, 15-9) and take first place.
Third place went to 16-year-old Latvians Ralfs Andrejevs and Eduards Dudens, who topped 17-year-old French Keran Duval and Ylan Louis in straight sets (23-21, 21-18) to claim bronze.
The last Age Group European Championship of the 2024 season, the U20 EuroBeachVollay will take place in Mysłowice, Poland, from July 25-28.