‘Opening Signal’ European Beach Volleyball Championship 2024 Sounds Simultaneously in Three Cities

The European Beach Volleyball Championship started today in Apeldoorn, Arnhem, and The Hague. On the first day of the tournament, which is being held in the Netherlands for the fourth time, the first Dutch players took to the court. On Saturday and Sunday, the finals will take place in The Hague (Scheveningen).

The official opening took place tonight in Apeldoorn, where tournament director Bas van de Goor gave the starting signal in the presence of alderman Nick Derks and Nevobo chairman Peter Sprengers, among others. The trio then witnessed the first match of Katja Stam and Raïsa Schoon in a full stadium. The Netherlands’ best women’s beach duo is considered a contender for the European title.

Kick-off
In The Hague, a kick-off event took place almost simultaneously. Alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer, Robert Meeuwsen, and Alexander Brouwer cut a ribbon at the entrance with the help of some children. Afterward, it was time for a game of volleyball. For Brouwer and Meeuwsen, who became world champions in 2013 and won Olympic bronze in Rio de Janeiro three years later, this is their last title tournament together. Meeuwsen is retiring as a beach volleyball player, while Brouwer has yet to decide on his future.

Cheering
The European Beach Volleyball Championship has taken place in the Netherlands three times before, and in each edition, there was something to cheer for: silver in 2006, and gold in 2012 and 2018. On the last two occasions, it was the women who triumphed. Sanne Keizer stood on the top podium twice. The first time with Marleen van Iersel, and in 2018 with Madelein Meppelink.

Contenders
The chances of Dutch success being celebrated again this year are far from slim. Several high-ranking teams have withdrawn following the Olympics. The three Dutch teams that recently competed in Paris will be present: Stam/Schoon, Yorick de Groot/Stefan Boersma, and Matthew Immers/Steven van de Velde. These teams rank among the top six in Europe. In addition, seven more teams (three women’s duos and four men’s duos) are competing on home soil: Piersma/Bekhuis, Bröring/Van Driel, Konink/Poiesz, Penninga/Heemskerk, Luini/Varenhorst, Sengers/Boehlé, and the aforementioned Brouwer/Meeuwsen.

Tickets are still available for the European Beach Volleyball Championship. More information can be found on the tournament website.