Idyllic Stare Jablonki poised to host first-ever EuroBeachVolley on Polish soil

The European Beach Volleyball elite is slowly but surely coming together in Stare Jablonki, a peaceful, idyllic small village in the Warmia Mazury region, where continental honours will be at stake – as well as a highly coveted ticket to secure participation in the Beach Volleyball competition of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This will go to the National Olympic Committee of the winners from the men’s as well as of the women’s competition – almost two years in advance of the Olympics due to take place in Southern California in the summer of 2028.

Stare Jablonki is a real little paradise – a small village surrounded by forests and on a charming lake, where people usually go to relax and disconnect from their daily busy and hectic routines. It is also a place that is close to the heart of many Beach Volleyball players who have regularly come to this international event year after year – thereby enjoying the combination of elite competition, energising atmosphere, and the many side activities provided by the local organisers. 

It is the first time since EuroBeachVolley was established in 1993 for men and 1994 for women that the event takes place in Poland. Usually a country associated with ‘Volleymania’, Poland enjoys a solid reputation in Beach Volleyball as well – and this is primarily due to the many events organised in Stare Jablonki, including the historic 2013 edition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships. 

As the organisers work around the clock to deliver an experience to remember for all involved, players from as many as 19 countries are finding their way to Stare Jablonki for five days of world-class competition. “I have good vibes whenever I come here,” said Italy’s Reka Orsi Toth on her way to Stare Jablonki. Together with partner Valentina Gottardi, she is among the contenders for the women’s crown together with reigning world champions Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova of Latvia and many more elite players with a wealth of experience on the international stage, such as those representing traditional powerhouses such as Germany and Switzerland. 

The men’s competition is likely to feature a Scandinavian battle at the top with Sweden counting on reigning Olympic and World champions David Ahman/Jonatan Hellvig and their younger countrymen Jacob Hölting Nilsson/Elmer Andersson, silver medallists at last year’s Worlds in Adelaide, Australia. Norway’s Anders Mol – who recently announced he would take a break from Beach Volleyball to play indoors for Italy’s top club Rana VERONA – and partner Christian Sørum will be chasing a sixth European title. Their five continental crowns are already an all-time record and they are the defending champions from last year’s event in Düsseldorf. Speaking of good vibes, these must be felt also by Dutch veteran Alexander Brouwer, who back in 2013 secured a sensational World Championship title in Stare Jablonki with former long-time partner Robert Meeuwsen. 

Stare Jablonki and Warmia Mazury are ready to celebrate a real Beach Volleyball fiesta. Make sure you follow the official CEV’s channels including the event website https://eurobeachvolley.cev.eu/en/2026/ to join such a party even from afar! 

Pictures courtesy of Andrea Micheli