The MEVZA U20 Beach Volleyball Championship, serving as qualification for the CEV U20 European Championship, got underway on Sunday in Portorož, Slovenia, with exciting opening-day matches in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
In the men’s competition, top-seeded Israelis Goldshmid Fisher/Gozlan opened Pool A with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hungary’s Pongracz/Goudie before later securing first place in the pool with a convincing 2-0 win against Croatia’s Lozancic/Vidovic. Slovak duo Hunady/Kalma also celebrated a straight-set win over the Hungarian pair.
Pool B saw Czech team Pavlusek/Havelka defeat Hungary’s Fodo/Keszthelyi 2-0 before edging Slovakia’s Beles/Danco in three sets. In the same pool, the Slovak pair earned a bye in their opening match.
Austria’s Sponer A./Gavan impressed in Pool C, beating Slovenia’s Mugerli/Godec 2-0, while Czech duo Vaculik/Simek later came back from a set down to defeat the Austrians 2-1.
Pool D delivered some of the most dramatic action of the day. Croatia’s Skoric Budimir/Misura defeated Israeli pair Hait Krasulin/Khlopontov in straight sets, while Slovenia’s Mavric Zikic/Breznik edged Semansky/Dzurik from Slovakia in a thrilling three-set battle, 2-1 (28-30, 21-18, 15-12).
The women’s tournament also featured strong performances from several top contenders. Israeli top seeds Maor/Gonzalez started their campaign in Pool A with a 2-0 victory over Slovakia’s Stefancikova/Hajzusova before later defeating Austria’s Bohnel/Gasser in straight sets.
In Pool B, Hungary’s Kiss-Bertok/Zador recorded two victories on the opening day, first beating Austria’s Bleyer/Pap 2-0 and then overcoming Slovenia’s Ferdin/Potocnik in straight sets as well.
Croatian duo Sos/Biuk enjoyed a successful start in Pool C, defeating Slovenia’s Alibabic/Alibabic 2-0 before surviving a dramatic three-set match against Czech pair Lajkebova/Dostalikova, winning 2-1 (19-21, 26-24, 15-13).
Pool D featured another exciting battle as Czech pair Kafkova/Kalisova defeated Hungary’s Sarik-Veress/Matkovits in three sets after already beating Slovak duo Argalasova/Suchankova in straight sets earlier in the day. Croatia’s Herceg/Delimehic also celebrated a 2-0 victory against the Slovak pair.
The tournament continues on Monday with the remaining pool matches and quarterfinal clashes as teams battle for spots in the semifinals and qualification places for the upcoming European Championship.
