Mouth-watering fixtures emerge from EuroBeachVolley pool phase draw

The Drawing of Lots for the pool stage of the CEV EuroBeachVolley 2026 scheduled for this coming August 12-16 in Stare Jablonki was held on Friday in Warsaw, thereby setting the tone for a competition that will feature a good share of the world’s Beach Volleyball elite. Five-time European champions and titleholders Anders Mol and Christian Sørum of Norway feature in men’s Pool C – which includes half of the 2023 world championship gold medallist team, David Schweiner of Czechia, with current partner Tadeas Trousil, plus one team from France and a pair representing hosts Poland. This year’s EuroBeachVolley has additional significance since the winners in each gender will secure a spot for their National Olympic Committee (NOC) to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. 

In the women’s competition, top-seeded two-time EuroBeachVolley winners and reigning world champions Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova of Latvia will lock horns with recently crowned Nations Cup winners Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil of Ukraine – as well as with 2023 silver medallist Tania Moreno Matveeva of Spain with her new partner Sofia Izuzquiza. 

As per the modified pool play format, the top-seed in each pool will play the lowest seeded tandem – whereas the second and third-seed in each group will play against each other. The two winners of these fixtures will subsequently play for first place in the pool – whereas the losers will lock horns for third place and a spot in the knockout phase of the tournament. 

Women's Pools

The event in Stare Jablonki coincides with the first time EuroBeachVolley takes place in Poland, even though the venue in the Warmia and Masuria region has a wealth of experience in staging world-class Beach Volleyball competitions – including the 2013 edition of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships. The winner of that event, Alexander Brouwer, now plays alongside Stefan Boermans and the Dutchmen will start their campaign by playing the winners of a home qualifier, Poland’s Igor Ciemachowski and Kacper Taudul.  

Men's Pools

The European Championship in Stare Jabłonki stands as one of the most significant sporting events of the year in Poland, benefiting from full government and institutional backing.

"First and foremost, this is fantastic news for all of us. We love Volleyball; we love Beach Volleyball. Stare Jabłonki is a true landmark for this sport, and I am extremely proud that the Ministry of Sport and Tourism supports this event both financially and organisationally. It is a wonderful opportunity to invite fans from all over Poland, Europe, and the world to Warmia and Mazury. It is truly special to showcase our region's natural beauty while cheering on Europe's top athletes. We are fully aware of how strong the international teams are, but I am confident that our home crowd will fuel the Polish players, and we will see our representatives competing in Sunday’s medal matches," said Jakub Rutnicki, Minister of Sport and Tourism of Poland during the draw.

The host nation will field a competitive lineup. While expectations on home soil are high, local officials emphasise the spirit of elite competition.

"As for the players, they set their own ambitious goals. From my personal perspective, my biggest dream is to see our teams playing in Sunday’s medal and final rounds, and I wholeheartedly wish them that success. We are well aware of some health-related challenges, but for an event of this caliber in Stare Jabłonki - the capital of Polish Beach Volleyball - our athletes will undoubtedly rise to the occasion. They will test themselves against Europe's finest and elevate their game to thrill our fans," assured Sebastian Świderski, President of the Polish Volleyball Federation (PZPS).

Stare Jabłonki has long been renowned for its unique atmosphere and traditional Polish hospitality. The upcoming August championship will feature a special culinary accent.

"I have been involved with Beach Volleyball events in Stare Jabłonki for over two decades – this place will always hold a special place in my heart. The upcoming championship offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase Polish culture through culinary excellence, and that is precisely my mission. In August, Stare Jabłonki becomes not only the European capital of Beach Volleyball but also the culinary capital of Poland," emphasised Karol Okrasa, Tournament Ambassador.

For Stare Jabłonki, hosting the senior European Championship represents a full-circle moment in its rich history of organising world-class events, ranging from World Tour events to the iconic 2013 FIVB World Championship.

"History comes full circle. More than 20 years after we launched our Beach Volleyball journey in partnership with the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), we are returning to our roots with the senior European Championship. This was the missing piece to complete our portfolio of hosting major international events. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and the Polish Volleyball Federation for making this possible and for being such reliable partners," highlighted Tomasz Dowgiałło, Tournament Director and CEO of Hotel Anders.

The competition in Stare Jablonki will reach its climax on August 16 with the women’s and men’s medal matches. Mol/Sørum are vying for a record-breaking sixth title whereas a new champion will be crowned in the women’s competition – with last year’s gold medallist Tetiana Lazarenko of Ukraine teaming up this time with Sofiia Kurnikova. 

Pictures courtesy of Mateusz Lewandowski