Clubs from 14 countries set to play for men’s gold in Montpellier
Beach Volley European Cup
After a successful debut in 2023, the CEV Beach Volley European Cup is back for more this week, with the French coastal city of Montpellier hosting the second edition of the tournament from Thursday to Sunday.
On the men’s side, 16 clubs from 14 European nations will be in contention for the title at the Club Montpellier Beach Volley, displaying a significant increase from last year’s edition, which took ten clubs to Balıkesir, Türkiye.
The tournament will be split into two stages, starting with a modified pool play phase and continuing with the elimination rounds. On both, clubs play each other in two matches – if needed, a third and decisive set will be played as a golden set.
Each club will be represented by a minimum of four players and a maximum of six, which should form their two teams. Each club is entitled to one substitution per match.
Hosts France will be represented by two clubs, with 2021 U19 world champions Arthur Canet and Téo Rotar and Ayé brothers Calvin and Quincy featuring for Montpellier Beach Volley and 17-year-old Kéran Duval appearing as part of Ré Beach Club’s six-man squad.
Spain are the only other country to send two teams to Montpellier. CVP Poniente Benidorm Alicante will have the three Bello siblings – Javier, Joaquin and Juan -, as well as 42-year-old, Beijing 2008 Olympian Raul Mesa. Beachbol La Malva Valencia have in Beach Pro Tour regular Roberto Sanfélix the most recognizable face in their roster.
Home of last year’s champions Murov AzTerminal, Azerbaijan will this time be represented by Azerrail, who, like their domestic rivals, turned to experienced Russian players to build their squad – three-time Olympian Konstantin Semenov and talented defender Igor Velichko are the most popular names.
Italy’s Beach Volley Training also will have significant international experience among their players, with longtime Italian volleyball national team player Matteo Martino standing out. The same goes for Austria’s Aloha Beachvolleyball Club Wörthersee, who entered Beach Pro Tour veterans Christoph Dressler, Alexander Huber and Felix Friedl in their roster.
Completing the club’s lineup in Montpellier will be Czechia’s Beachclub Strahov, England’s Fireball North Devon, Greece’s 4 Sports Club Athens, Hungary’s SRSE Budapest, Romania’s C.S.U Stiinta Politehnica Bucaresti, Slovenia’s BVC Ludus, Sweden’s Slow Down BeachVolley Club Åhus, Türkiye’s TVF Spor Lisesi Ihtisas Kulübü and Ukraine’s Sunrise Beach Sports Academy.