Pre-favourites dominate pool play at #BeachEuropeanCup Final in Alanya

Pool play at the CEV Beach Volley European Cup 2026 Final in Alanya concluded on Friday with the event pre-favourites from Ukraine and the Netherlands living up to their status and securing the top spot in their respective groups. 

Last year’s winners Sunrise Beach Sports Academy of Ukraine took maximum points (12) from their pool matches as they conceded a single set in the process, and claimed all of their remaining matches in emphatic style. The Ukrainian quartet has a wealth of experience and quality to rely on and they remain the main contenders for yet another continental crown. Spain’s CV Majadahonda emerged at the top of the standings in a far more closely contested Pool B, where they recorded five wins and one loss, thereby progressing straight to the semis. The competition resumes on Saturday with the quarterfinals involving the teams that finished the pool phase in second and third place. Italy’s multiple national champions ASD Beach Volley Training will take on Spain’s CDV Braveheart Gran Canaria whereas France’s Montpellier Beach Volley, hosts of this same event in 2024, will play home favourites Alanya Belediye Spor of Türkiye. 

In the men’s competition, the star-studded roster of Scherp in Packaging ZVH of the Netherlands looked as dominant as expected. The Dutchmen did not lose a single set in their Pool A fixtures, including those versus last year’s winners Ré Beach Club of France. With a group including elite players with experience from major events such as Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot, ZVH have travelled to Alanya clearly determined to win the title in their only second participation in the European Cup. Ukraine’s Sunrise Beach Sports Academy emulated their countrywomen by emerging at the top of Pool B even though they lost one match in the process. In the quarterfinals, Italy’s ASD Beach Volley Training are due to play Czechia’s Beachclub Strahov, whereas defending champions Ré Beach Club will lock horns with home side TVF Spor Lisesi of Türkiye for a spot in the semis. 

Click here for detailed pool standings. 

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