Exciting quarterfinals determined the EuroBeachVolley men's semifinalists

On Saturday in Arnhem and the Hague hosted the CEV EuroBeachVolley 2024 quarterfinals that turned into exciting duels that determined the four teams who on Sunday in the Hague will battle for the medals. The semifinal line-up is highlighted by the silver medalists from Paris 2024 - Germany's Nils Ehlers & Clemens Wickler. The spots in the last four also got Italy's Samuele Cottafava & Paolo Nicolai, Latvia's Martins Plavins & Kristians Fokerots and the local favourites - Dutch duo Steven van de Velde & Matthew Immers. The semifinals and medal games will be played on Sunday in the Hague.

The round of quarterfinal games started in Arnhem, which was the stage of the EuroBeachVolley for the last day. First to enter the court were local favourites Luini/Varenhorst, who faced Latvian duo Plavins/Fokerots that turned out to be a revelation of this event. The Latvian duo being a mix of youngness and experience amazed the fans during the previous days and they kept shining also on Saturday. They put a lot of pressure on the Dutch team, vividly supported by the home crowd. The impressive blocks from Fokerots were one of the elements that made the difference and allowed them to book a spot in the last four, after winning this game 2-0 (21-15, 21-10).

Next quarterfinal featured the silver Olympic medalists from Paris 2024, who are definitely the main title contender in the Netherlands. Ehlers/Wickler took on Norwegian pair Mol, H./Berntsen, winning the game also 2-0 (21:18; 21-18), however this game was more competitive. Hendrik Mol threatened the Germans with his powerful serve, but they withstood it and with solid performance in all elements prevailed to fight for another medal this summer. 

The other two quarterfinals were played in the Hague. The Italian-Spanish battle was the most intense and competitive match that was a true beach volleyball show, featuring legends of the sport. Italy's Cottafava/Nicolai clinched a win over Herrera/Gavira in tie-break, winning it 2-1 (21-23, 21-17, 15-13). Six-time Olympian Herrera already in Paris announced his retirement, so this game was his farewell with EuroBeachVolley. (read: Crowd pays tribute to six-time Olympian Herrera following last match at major international championship) In the decisive set Paolo Nicolai made a difference with his block, once the game was closed by his teammate's spike.

The last hope of the hosts, so team van de Velde/Immers locked horns with Czech's Sepka/Sedlak, who a bit unexpectedly reached the quarterfinals after their great performance in the previous games, however against this Dutch duo they had no chance. Van de Velde/Immers stayed focused on their mission, showing their strength in all skills that allowed them to win the game 2-0 (21-15, 21-12). 

Semifinals
Sunday, 18 August, The Hague
9:45 Ehlers/Wickler (GER) - Cottafava/Nicolai (ITA)
10:45 Plavins/Fokerots (LAT) - van de Velde/Immers (NED)