The iconic mountain backdrop of Gstaad, Switzerland, recently played host to a thrilling stop on the Beach Pro Tour. While the tournament featured top-tier competition from around the globe, a compelling narrative emerged: the significant success of teams benefiting from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. Athletes supported by this initiative demonstrated the tangible impact of strategic investment, securing multiple medals across both the men`s and women`s events.
This performance underscores a key principle: targeted support yields results. The FIVB`s commitment to providing resources, primarily in the form of expert coaching and essential equipment, appears to be directly correlated with nations elevating their standing on the international beach volleyball stage. Gstaad served as a clear case study.
Men`s Tournament Highlights: Qatar Claims Gold
In the men`s draw, the gold medal was secured by Qatar`s formidable duo, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan. Their victory marked their second gold on the Beach Pro Tour this season, achieved with an impressive 5-1 win-loss record in Gstaad. Their path to the final included a solid win over the Dutch pair and a tight two-set battle for the gold against a surprising Swedish entry. This success is directly linked to the substantial support the Qatar Volleyball Association`s beach volleyball program has received from FIVB Empowerment – a notable USD 294,000 allocated specifically for national team coach support, supplemented by USD 11,500 for equipment. Under the guidance of Argentinean coach Pablo Bernardi, the Qatari teams are clearly capitalizing on this investment.
The men`s podium also featured the Netherlands` Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot, who secured the bronze medal. Their journey included a tough semifinal loss to the eventual Qatari champions before bouncing back in a three-set thriller against Brazil to claim their ninth Beach Pro Tour medal as a team. The Netherlands Volleyball Federation (NEVOBO) has also benefited significantly from FIVB Empowerment, receiving USD 217,600 for their national beach volleyball teams` coaching, led by experienced coach Michiel van der Kuip and his staff. The bronze in Gstaad serves as further validation of this support.
Adding a remarkable storyline to the men`s event were the young Swedes, Jacob Holting Nilsson (20) and Elmer Andersson (19). Beginning their Gstaad campaign in the qualifications, they powered their way through the main draw to reach the final and secure a silver medal – their first ever at the Elite level. While not listed among the specific empowerment beneficiaries *for their national federation`s general funding in the provided information*, their breakthrough highlights the competitive environment where empowered teams are now expected contenders. Their defeat of a strong Brazilian pair in the semifinal further emphasized their unexpected rise.
Women`s Competition: Silver and Bronze for Empowered Nations
The women`s tournament saw the top spot claimed by the USA`s Kristen Nuss and Taryn Brasher, who navigated their way through the competition undefeated. However, the success story for Empowerment-backed teams was evident on the other steps of the podium.
Latvia`s Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova earned the silver medal in Gstaad, their second silver on the Beach Pro Tour this season. Finishing with a 5-2 record, their performance underscores the consistency achieved with targeted support. The Volleyball Federation of Latvia has received USD 210,000 in FIVB Empowerment coach support for their beach volleyball teams, plus USD 5,500 in equipment. Spanish coach Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez guides their women`s duos, contributing to results like their impressive run to the Gstaad final and their 11th overall Beach Pro Tour podium.
Rounding out the women`s podium were Switzerland`s own Anouk Verge-Depre and Zoe Verge-Depre, securing the bronze medal. Their third-place finish came after an all-Swiss bronze medal match against compatriots Tanja Huberli and Leona Kernen, showcasing the depth building within Swiss beach volleyball. This medal marks the Verge-Depre sisters` fourth consecutive podium finish on the Beach Pro Tour, demonstrating impressive momentum. Swiss Volley`s beach volleyball department has received a substantial USD 366,000 in coach support from FIVB Empowerment, funding their women`s national teams under the instruction of Polish coach Damian Wojtasik. The consistent podium finishes from Swiss teams highlight the effectiveness of this significant investment.
The Empowerment Effect
The results from the Gstaad Elite event provide a compelling illustration of the impact of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. By strategically investing in national federations, particularly through dedicated coach support and essential equipment, the program directly contributes to athlete development and, subsequently, competitive success on the international stage. The medal hauls by teams from Qatar, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Switzerland are not merely athletic achievements; they are indicators of successful program implementation and resource allocation.
A total of 32 men`s and 32 women`s teams, representing 22 countries, competed in Gstaad, highlighting the global nature of the Beach Pro Tour. Within this highly competitive field, the consistent performance of the Empowerment-supported teams is particularly noteworthy. It suggests that while talent and dedication are paramount, structured support and expert guidance, as provided by the program, are critical factors in reaching and sustaining elite-level performance.
As the Beach Pro Tour moves to its next Elite event in Montreal, Canada, the performance of teams benefiting from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program will undoubtedly remain a key storyline, offering further evidence of the program`s vital role in shaping the future landscape of international beach volleyball.
Rupert Caldwell