Germany enters the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide with one of the largest and most balanced teams, reflecting the impact of FIVB Empowerment support.

Germany has arrived at the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide with one of the largest and most balanced squads, underlining the progress of its national development system. The USD 168,000 in FIVB Empowerment funding allocated for 2024–2026 has helped strengthen a unified structure that continues to deliver international results for German beach volleyball.

German men’s teams lead with depth and experience

In the men’s field, Olympic silver medallists Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler headline Germany’s contingent. Following their podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the pair have maintained consistent form on the Beach Pro Tour and are among the top-ranked teams worldwide. They lead a strong lineup that also includes Paul Henning & Lui Wüst and Lukas Pfretzschner & Sven Winter, both duos showing steady progress through European and international events.

Women’s teams highlight balance and growth

Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann arrive in Adelaide as one of Europe’s most in-form pairs, fresh from their Beach Pro Tour Elite16 gold in Cape Town. Sharing their pool with compatriots Linda Bock and Louisa Lippmann, they represent the depth of Germany’s women’s programme. Lippmann’s transition from indoor volleyball has added valuable power and experience to the team. Sandra Ittlinger & Anna-Lena Grüne and the young duo Melanie Paul & Lea Sophie Kunst complete the women’s roster, showcasing both experience and future potential.

Empowered funding strengthens national structure

The Empowerment support has allowed Germany to operate a centralized, high-performance system under the leadership of programme supervisor Christoph Dieckmann, a former European champion and Olympian. Dieckmann oversees technical development, coaching alignment, and sports science integration, ensuring that all national team athletes train and compete at international standards. This structure has enhanced both elite-level competitiveness and the transition of emerging pairs to global competition.

Sustainable success through unified development

The German Volleyball Federation aims to maintain the long-term benefits of the Empowered programme by ensuring consistency in talent development, coaching quality, and international exposure. With seven teams across both men’s and women’s draws, Germany’s strong presence in Adelaide reflects the depth of its Empowered system and its commitment to sustained excellence on the world stage.

Savino Del Bene Scandicci completed a stunning comeback against Novara, but Imoco Conegliano stayed unbeaten and maintained the league lead.

In the seventh round of the Italian Women’s Volleyball A1 League, Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano continued its perfect start to the season, keeping the first place in the standings. Savino Del Bene Scandicci, meanwhile, produced an incredible 3–2 comeback win away at Igor Gorgonzola Novara after trailing by two sets, remaining in second place just one point behind Conegliano.

Conegliano now leads with 20 points, followed by Scandicci on 19. The postponed Week 4 match between Conegliano and Milano, scheduled for Wednesday at 20:30, will be decisive for the top of the table.

Novara dominated the first two sets 25–22 and 25–19, but Scandicci turned the match around thanks to coach Gaspari’s tactical changes and a superb performance from Antropova, who scored 26 points and was named MVP. Novara, strong in the first sets with blocking and serving, failed to register a single block in the last two sets.

In other matches, Vero Volley Milano swept Monviso 3–0 at home, with Egonu scoring 19 points and Danesi earning MVP honors. Chieri defeated Vallefoglia 3–1 to solidify fifth place, while Macerata took three key points by beating Busto Arsizio 3–1. Firenze celebrated its first 3-point win of the season with a straight-set victory over Perugia, and San Giovanni in Marignano claimed its first win of the campaign by sweeping Cuneo.

After seven rounds, the standings are as follows: Conegliano 20, Scandicci 19, Milano 16, Novara 15, Chieri 14 points. At the bottom, San Giovanni in Marignano sits last with 3 points.

The Australian government has denied a visa to Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of child abuse, blocking his entry into the country.

The Australian government has denied entry to Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was previously convicted of child abuse. Van de Velde’s visa application to participate in the upcoming Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide was rejected, the government confirmed through the Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

Government cites public safety concerns

According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the government’s primary duty is to ensure public safety. “We will do everything in our power to make Australians feel safe,” Burke said. The decision was directly linked to Van de Velde’s prior conviction for child abuse.

Van de Velde says he respects the decision

In a written statement, Van de Velde said he was aware that the Australian government could take such a decision and expressed his respect for it. The Dutch athlete added that while he has continued his professional career, his past offense remains a lasting consequence in his life.

Player served prison sentence in 2016 case

Court records show that Steven van de Velde admitted in 2016 to abusing a child he met through social media. He was sentenced to four years in prison but was released after serving 12 months. Following his release, he returned to professional volleyball in 2018 and represented the Netherlands in international competitions.

Tournament preparations continue in Adelaide

Preparations for the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, South Australia, are ongoing. Tournament organizers stated their full support for the government’s decision, emphasizing that player and spectator safety remains a top priority for the event.