Teams from 32 countries fight for the title in Madrid

After teams from Ukraine and France became the new U22 European champions last week in Baden, other continental crowns will be in dispute this week as the Spanish capital Madrid hosts the 2025 CEV U20 European Championship.

Between Thursday and Sunday, teams representing 32 different nations in the continent will compete at the Parque Deportivo Puerta de Hierro, which has hosted numerous tournaments over the last few years, such as Beach Pro Tour Futures and stops of the CEV Beach Nations Cup, with the winners in both genders taking their countries to the top of European beach volleyball in the age group.

Hosting the tournament, Spain have the ambition of taking the title and, on the women’s side, the duo formed by Marta Carroa and Sofía Izuzquiza represents their best hope of doing it. The 19-year-olds triumphed in the 2023 edition of the U18 EuroBeachVolley, which was held in Madrid, and will try to get another win in front of their home fans this week – the Spanish also took silver in the U19 World Championship in 2024.

Austrians Lia Berger and Lilli Hohenauer, who succeeded the Spanish as the U18 European champions last year, will also be strong candidates to win gold in Madrid this week. The two took bronze in the U20 European Championship last year, and, with a full season of experience under their belts, should be even stronger in the fight for the title this week.

CEV U20 European Championship – Women

Also returning after stepping on the podium last year in Myslowice is 17-year-old Latvian Līva Ēbere, who took silver in 2024. After winning multiple medals in Age Group European Championships with longtime partner Deniela Konstantinova, she’s set to pair with 19-year-old Renāte Krūklīte this week in Madrid.

On the men’s side, Spain’s top team will feature 17-year-old Victor López de Miguel and 16-year-old Alejandro Calvo López. The two will play the first international event in their careers this week in the country’s capital.

Standing out among the favorites to win gold are Polish Szymon Pietraszek and Jakub Krzeminski, who get to the event as the reigning U19 world champions after triumphing in China last year.

CEV U20 European Championship – Men

Danish Andreas Brinck and Villads Napier, who made history by winning the U18 European Championship in 2023, will also be looking to add another continental title to their resumés this week in Madrid.

The 32 teams in each gender will be split into eight pools of four, with the pool winners advancing directly to the Round of 16 and duos ranked second and third making it to the Round of 24. Pool play will be held between Thursday and Friday, with the elimination rounds following on Saturday. The semifinals and medal matches are scheduled for Sunday.