Israeli men win second European title

The European Footvolley Championship 2023, held in the picturesque coastal town of Albufeira, Portugal, provided spectators with a showcase of talent, determination and unforgettable moments. The tournament, which featured both men's and women's categories, saw fierce competition from the top teams across Europe. However in the men's category, Israel’s strongest team with Ron Ben Ishai and Maor Haas emerged as the European champions 2023 after a convincing win against the Italian duo Alain Faccini and Federico Iacopucci, vice-champions once more.
>> This is a report about the Men’s championship. Here you can read all about the Women’s championship.

Albufeira to the rescue

After the cancellation of Tel Aviv the European Footvolley Championship found a new home in the most vibrant and sports-loving city of Albufeira in Portugal. With the amazing support of the city, the Portuguese National Federation of Footvolley (FNFV) ensured that the championship would go on in the best of circumstances. This 7th edition of the European Footvolley Championship welcomed the continent's top 16 Men’s teams. Amongst the elite gathering, a glaring absence marked the event—the reigning European Champions of 2022 from Spain, Juan and Facu, unfortunately were unable to grace the tournament due to scheduling conflicts. Nevertheless, the remaining lineup, comprising of champions and stellar talent from various nations, promised an exhilarating display of skill, agility, and sportsmanship on this grand stage of competitive footvolley.

Group games

LIttle surprise in Group A where Italy 1 (Alain & Federico) lost their last group game 16:18 against home team Portugal 1 with former European champion Filipe Santos and his partner Vitor Vilaça. A slowly warming up Netherlands with Antonio Aurino and Ben Sparenberg became 3rd in this group. Portugal 2 (Pedro Garrido & Bruno Graça) played with confidence and passion but did not manage to qualify.

In Group B the United Kingdom (Daine Morris & Micky Elias) missed their start against a strong and fresh Germany 2 (Michael Weber and Dennis Weber): 11:18, but then they managed to advance to the next round. An ever improving Norway (Alex Karlsen & Eivind Røed) unfortunately did not reach the elimination round after a close game against Germany 2: 15:18. Evidently the Israeli top duo Ron & Maor won all three group games with ease. Only the United Kingdom made them sweat for it: 18:16.

The highest seeded team in a very strong Group C was Spain, represented by the experienced Carlos Delgado Zarco and the young talent and powerhouse Miquel Marin Ferrando. They played a great game against the former European champions from France Antoine Ottaviani and Dumé Susini but Spain lost 18:20. However is was the second Israeli team comprised of Li Liberman and Oren Tzubery that became first in the group after 3 consecutive wins. The Swiss champions Cristiano Goes and Guto Cappellini did not manage to play a role at this tournament.

Germany on top of Group D. After already an amazing season Joel Nisslein and Lukas Kicherer won all three group games claiming there spot in the quarter finals. Just when you think they have reached their peak performance, they jump a little higher and play consistently better year after year. Another pleasant surprise in this group came from the Austrians Daniel Neuhold and Jakob J. Rauch. They managed to beat the talented and technically skilled second Italian team with Claudio Piergiovanni and Isli Bejtaga. Sweden -represented once more by the brothers David Nilsson and Marcus Nilsson- fought hard as always but was unable to beat Austria: 18:16 and lost their last game against Italy 2 with 18:11.

Elimination round

The last games on Saturday that decided which nation went on to the quarter finals were:

• 🇩🇪 Germany 2 vs 🇳🇱 Netherlands 10:18 7:18

• 🇮🇹 Italy 1 vs 🇪🇸 Spain 18:9 18:5

• 🇫🇷 France vs 🇮🇹 Italy 2 18:13 18:15

• 🇦🇹 Austria vs 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 13:18 13:18

In this elimination round overall the logic of the season 2023 was respected. Italy and France are always candidates for the final. The UK has been this season’s revelation with Daine and Mickey making an enormous progress. The Netherlands’ win against the powerful, dynamic and stylish German brothers Dennis and Mitch Weber might have raised an eyebrow for some. But Dennis had been out most of the season with a knee injury and only recently returned to the sand without a lot of competitive challenges.

Spectacular Quarter Final Clashes

The quarter-finals of the European Footvolley Championship 2023 were marked by intense battles and close calls.

Netherlands vs Portugal 1

• Scores: 18:9, 18:14

• The clash between the Netherlands and home team Portugal 1 was not really a nail-biting affair. The result however was a surprise. Both teams displaying their talent and determination but the Dutch duo’s well-masked short balls (Antonio), strong shark attacks (Ben) and their excellent defense proved to be the deciding factors. Filipe and Vitor appeared to have heavy legs in the sacred sand of their Praia dos Pescadores. Maybe they felt too much pressure as the home team. On the other hand, all weekend long there were a lot of Dutch supporters in the stands and they made a lot of noise cheering on their national teams, both Men and Women.

Italy 1 vs Germany 1

• Scores: 10:18, 18:14, 15:6

• The face-off between Italy 1 and Germany 1 was a roller-coaster of a match. It always is because both are viable candidates for the finals. And they are very vocal. After an sturdy and much more focused start by Joel and Luki, Italy fought back with a remarkable display of skill and teamwork. The third set saw Alain and Federico's unwavering determination lead them to a decisive victory. After this game the tournament organisation called for a meeting to discuss the regulations about 'How many decibels is too loud when celebrating?'.

France vs Israel 1

• Scores: 18:20, 11:18

• The match between France and Israel 1 was a true testament to the competitive spirit of footvolley. Every time these two footvolley giants play each other you will see a close game in two different footvolley styles. For several years now the Israeli top duo Ron and Maor have been very difficult to defeat. The only duo that has cracked their code are Antoine and Dumé from Corse. So needles to say that both teams pushed themselves once more to their limits. Ron and Maor even cut short a trip to Brazil to participate at this European Championship. So they were well prepared and really motivated. The winner? The public and the viewers at home. They enjoyed a bunch of Israeli sharks and spikes versus the Corsican shoulders and perfectly placed short balls. After a really close first set it was Israel's exceptional performance in crucial moments that ultimately secured their spot in the semi-finals.

United Kingdom vs Israel 2

• Scores: 18:20, 14:18

• The clash between the United Kingdom and Israel 2 showcased the high level of talent present in the tournament. The UK has been this season’s revelation with Daine and Mickey steadily moving up in the EFVL ranking. Both players live and train in Spain, one of the fastest developing footvolley nations in the world. However their opponents Oren Tzubery and Li Liberman reside in Israel, probably the fastest growing footvolley nation worldwide. So despite a valiant effort from the United Kingdom, certainly in the first set, Israel's precision and strategic play proved to be the difference-maker. And the public and viewers at home are spoiled when watching this level of footvolley. Every little mistake one team makes immediately puts it under pressure within the same ball exchange. Europe’s finest players have become top of the food chain.

The Final Four

Netherlands' remarkable journey

🇳🇱 Netherlands vs 🇮🇹 Italy 1 16:18 20:18 12:15

One of the most captivating storylines of the championship was the outstanding performance of the Netherlands' men's team. Antonio Aurino -who just became a father- and Ben Sparenberg did not have the best preparation for this Championship. But by overcoming formidable opponents like Germany 2 and Portugal 1, the home team, in the eight and quarter-finals, the Netherlands proved themselves as a force to be reckoned with in their semi final versus the Italian power duo and favourites Alain Faccini and Federico Iacopucci.

Despite the odds (and months of sleepless nights as a young father) the Netherlands nearly pulled an amazing stunt. They made Italy sweat for every point in this spectacular three-setter: 16:18, 20:18 and 12:15. What a tournament Antonio and Ben played. They showed how far you can go on sheer will power and enthusiasm. And once more Alain and Federico had to dig deep to reach the final.

Israel's Dominance in the Finals

🇮🇱 Israel 1 vs 🇮🇱 Israel 2 18:13 18:13

This game started with a heartfelt message of peace by the unsurpassed speaker Miguel Filhó, followed by 1 minute of silence for all victims of violence. The entire stadium fell completely silent, as did the passersby on the boardwalk. A whistle. Game on! A semi final between two teams who know each other very well. They have met countless times in the high-level Israeli footvolley league. Israel 2 started serving on Maor. Israel 1 quickly took over and served mostly on Oren. Ron and Maor quickly took the lead 7-1 so Israel 2 asked for their first time-out. After that the game was more balanced and we saw even more sharks and really powerful and spectacular rallies. It seemed like most points from both sides were scored with short and/or diagonal balls. In the 2nd set Ron scored the first match point with his famous pick axe: 17-12 and at 17-13 directly powersharked a wrong set-up from Oren.

The small final

Well Antonio and Ben (Netherlands) lost it but they earned themselves a huge applause, a well-deserved 4th place and some much needed rest against super talents Oren and Li (Israel 2): 7:18. So Israel was already on the 3rd place of the podium. What about ..

The big final

🇮🇹 Italy 1 vs 🇮🇱 Israel 1 10:18 13:18

Then followed the battle of this season’s greatest under the capable guidance of the EFVL top referees Igor Alberto Oliveira (Portugal) and Diego Di Clemente (Italy). Whistle. Game on!

Italy served mostly on Ron Ben Ishai. A tactic that seemed to work in the very beginning of the game. Shark attacks and shark blocks came from both sides. Early in the game Ron already deployed his signatory pick axe attacks. The defense on both side was amazing. Often points were decided on small details. Maor’s diagonal balls just landing on the line. Federico’s shark licking the edge of the net to return to his side. The first set however was a clear win for Israel 10:18.

Also in the second set the Italian duo had to pursue an unleashed Israeli team. At 8-12 Ron put in several pick axes in a row and the last one must have carved a hole in the sky. Literally! At 8-15 it started pouring cats and dogs. The deputy major of the city Albufeira, who was attending these Finals quickly opened up the VIP tents to welcome the fleeing public. After this rainy time-out Alain and Federico fought back 4 points until 12-16 causing Israel to request their last time-out. Everyone was already standing anyhow when a sharp short-diagonal ball of Ron led to a first match point. Federico threw in another long header but at 13-17 Alain served into the net. Ron and Maor took a breathe and performed their signatory double backwards flip simultaneously. European champions once more. Congratulations!

The EFVL Tour 2023 in retrospect

What a season 2023 Ron & Maor have played. They won and took home the points in the EFVL Major Schwäbisch Gmünd, also against this Italian team. They became second after a really close loss to the Brazilian top duo Sandrey and Brisa in the Footvolley World League in Rome. And now they have won their second European title in the EFVL Finals in Albufeira. Well done champions. Of course they did not do this alone. The Israel Footvolley Association (IFA) managed to send several top teams to gather the necessary qualification points in the 8 EFVL tour events. This season Europe enjoyed the skills of Illy Levy, Marjorie Finguerman, Eytam Shamai, Doron Diamant, Mor shaked, Tom manor, Din Shaked, Raz Levi, Li Liberman & Oren Tzubery. And many more are awaiting their turn. Israel has become one of the strongest footvolley nations in the world.

Of course the other European nations stepped up too. The Italian powerhouse Iacopucci & Faccini have reached the finals in almost each tournament they attended. The German top duo of Joel Nisslein & Lukas Kicherer was never stronger and closer to the top than this year. Germany currently is on the third place in the EFVL ranking. Spain is also one of those fast developing country. They have restructured their federation to become more professional and the number of players keeps growing every year. The same story goes for France, they had another great season in Europe with several teams participating. Internally several new footvolley clubs joined Footvolley France. We are all richer for taking part or having witnessed this footvolley development.

Mind you that in this article we only reported about the Men’s tournament. Here you can read all about the Women’s championship. In any case the European Footvolley Championship 2023 in Albufeira, Portugal, will be remembered as a showcase of extraordinary talent and unforgettable moments for both. The tournament offered fans and players alike a true celebration of the sport. As the championship comes to a close, the legacy of this year's event will undoubtedly inspire future generations of footvolley enthusiasts across Europe.

Here you can visit the tournament page of the EFVL Finals Albufeira 2023 once again. On that page you can also re-watch the live stream of the final day. The games of Saturday you can find on our facebook page.

Looking forward to the season 2024. Stay tuned. United we play.