NEVZA Beach Sweden 2024 – Home favourites vie for top honours
News
As the countdown to NEVZA Beach Sweden is nearly finished, the buzz among Swedish Beach Volleyball players is palpable. This weekend, from November 1 to 3, the city of Gothenburg will host an international Beach Volleyball tournament that promises to be both thrilling and highly competitive.
The Beach Center, the largest indoor Beach Volleyball arena in the world, will serve as the battleground for 32 of Northern Europe’s finest teams - 16 in the women’s category and just as many in the men’s competition. They will vie for glory, ranking points, and prize money in what is the final NEVZA Beach event of the year.
Traditionally, this tournament coincides with the Halloween Cup, which is attracting nearly 400 players across various levels of competition performing across the 16 indoor courts available at the Beach Center. It is therefore a weekend of celebration for all Beach Volleyball enthusiasts.
The prospects for Swedish teams look promising, with 13 tandems registered: seven in the women’s competition and six in the men’s event. The organising club, Göteborg Beachvolley Club (GBC), fields a robust lineup of 14 competitors.
Sandra Krook, Tournament Director at GBC, expresses enthusiasm for the event’s significance:
“NEVZA Beach Sweden has become an integral part of our Beach Volleyball calendar. Welcoming both national and international elite players alongside our club's stars at Beach Center is a unique experience. The concurrent Halloween Cup allows us to blend elite and grassroots competition, thus creating a vibrant atmosphere that energises the entire event, making it a highlight of the season.”
Among the contenders, GBC’s Sara Malmström and Hulda Rudberg are seeded second. The duo admits to feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. “It has been a few weeks since the outdoor season ended, so we are eager to feel that competitive thrill again. After focusing on recovery, we have now put in valuable training sessions to refine our form,” they share.
Having finished as runners-up in last year's tournament, Malmström and Rudberg are considered among the favourites once again. “It is hard to gauge our chances this year since the competition is always fierce at NEVZA events. Maintaining a high baseline level will be crucial because every match is tough, and nothing comes easy. If we enjoy ourselves along the way, it often boosts our performance,” they reflect.
When asked about the significance of winning on home turf, they respond, “It would be fantastic! But we know not to take anything for granted; we could just as easily be out after two matches. Our focus is on giving 100 percent on the court and playing as a cohesive unit. The results will be a bonus if they come.”
The Thurin twins, Sanna and Tina from 08 Beachvolley Club, also enter the fray as seasoned six-time Swedish champions, while promising talents Emilia Saxne (Kronan VBK) and Sanna Madestam (Hylte/Halmstad) are back after making waves last year as up-and-coming stars.
At the top of the women’s seeding list are Norway’s Sunniva Helland-Hansen and Ingrid Lunde.
However, the men’s competition holds even greater promise for Swedish success. Four out of the five highest-seeded teams hail from Sweden.
Leading the charge are rising stars Jacob Hölting Nilsson (Ystads VK) and Elmer Andersson (Habo Wolley), who have had a breakthrough season, clinching gold at the U22 European Championship and silver at the U20 European Championship, along with podium finishes on the Beach Pro Tour.
Stefan Andreasson from GBC, teaming up with Malmö BC’s Anton Andersson, is also expected to be a strong contender. Earlier this year, they secured a silver medal at a Beach Pro Tour Futures event in Warsaw, Poland.
“It feels great! Anton is in excellent shape, and given the significance of this tournament for us, we are excited to perform well,” said Andreasson.
Reflecting on their seeding and the competition, he notes, “The Swedish field looks strong this year, though we will see what form everyone is in. ‘Jacke’ and Elmer are formidable; they will be tough to beat. And we always have our battles with Theodor Grahn and Linus Isaksson too. To succeed, we need to minimise errors and ensure we capitalise on our transitions.”
As the second seeds, Andreasson and Andersson are focused on surpassing last year’s second-place finish. “We have never won a NEVZA event, so that would be a significant milestone for us!”
