In an exhilarating conclusion to the CEV EuroBeachVolley 2024, held last week in The Hague, Latvia’s Plavins/Fokerots emerged as champions after a series of dramatic matches. The tournament, renowned for its unpredictable outcomes, saw the Latvian duo make an extraordinary run from the reserve list to claim the top spot.
The Final, held on Sunday, featured a gripping showdown between Latvia’s Plavins/Fokerots and Germany’s top-seeded pair, Ehlers/Wickler. The match began with both teams displaying strong offensive plays, but the Germans quickly established a lead with a four-point streak. Despite this, the Latvians fought back, bringing the game closer as the first set progressed.
The second set was a showcase of intense volleyball action, characterized by spectacular rallies, powerful spikes, and impressive blocks. The Latvians, maintaining composure under pressure, managed to push the match into a tie-breaker after a nail-biting finish.
In the decisive third set, Ehlers/Wickler, who had been the favorites to win, found themselves increasingly frustrated as the Latvians dominated. The 39-year-old Plavins and the 19-year-old Fokerots defied expectations, clinching the championship with a final score of 2-1 (17-21, 22-20, 15-5). For the Germans, it was a disappointing end to a week of strong performances, settling for the silver medal just before the Olympics.
The bronze medal match added excitement for the local fans as the Dutch pair, van de Velde/Immers, faced Italy’s Cottafava/Nicolai. Despite the tight turnaround from the semi-finals, the Dutch team started strong but struggled to maintain their lead. The Italians surged back, forcing the match into a tie-break. The final set was fiercely contested, but the Dutch ultimately secured a dramatic victory, earning the bronze medal and delighting the home crowd.
Final Scores:
- Gold Medal Match: Plavins/Fokerots (LAT) d. Ehlers/Wickler (GER) 2-1 (17-21, 22-20, 15-5)
- Bronze Medal Match: van de Velde/Immers (NED) d. Cottafava/Nicolai (ITA) 2-1 (21-17, 22-24, 15-12)
