Since the foundation of the European Footvolley League there has been one constant: the level of the female athletes has been rising exponentially. Six top nations competed at the European Championship 2021 in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Former champions Norway and Netherlands sent their finest. But in the end Austria, represented by the youngsters Antonia Missethan (22) and Julia Rauch (23), won the title. In fact, every single person at the stadium or at home who watched this spectacular Women’s League felt like a winner.

A late decision

Due to the pandemic we had to cancel the 7 stages of the Tour 2020. Our member nations focused on local and national development and competition as much as possible. Even this 5th edition of the European Footvolley Championship 2021 was a last minute decision. The Swedish national champions Isabel and Rita were unfortunately unable to attend. In the final week before the event the Italian top duo Sara and Francesca had to cancel due to an injury. So we welcomed Israel and Spain, two newcomers in the Women’s League.

WATCH THE FINAL: See link to the final at the bottom of this article

First encounters in the group phase

In group A the reigning European champion twins from Norway Pernille Ingvaldsen Smith and Henriette Ingvaldsen secured two wins against Austria and Israel. Not that it was easy. Henriette’s preparation was short due to her giving birth only seven months ago. Nevertheless in the opening game Norway managed to beat the talented Israeli duo Illy Levi and Marjorie Finguerman, trained by Ron Ben Ishay, The Austrian ladies Julia Rauch and Antonia Missethan became second and immediately showed a lot of agility, an outstanding ball control and a mysterious smile.

In group B Germany, Netherlands and Spain faced each other. Champions in 2017 and 2018 Netherlands (Evelyn Dobbinga and Nynke Karrenbeld) won the group. However Spain (Alba Montoro Gil and Cristina Fuentes Cánovas) made them sweat for it in a close game 20-18. The young German home team Nicole Kraus (23) and Lea Storzum (21) lost both their group games but the quality of play they showed only proves how much the level of the Women’s League has gone up.

The sandy road to the finals

Two qualification games decided who would join Norway and the Netherlands in the semi-finals. The youngest teams Austria and Germany battled for the first spot. Austria prevailed 19-17 18-7. Newcomers Spain and Israel needed a tense 3-setter 15-18 18-11 15-12 to decide in favor of Spain. Exit Germany and Israel but we will see a lot more of them in the near future.

In the semi-finals the former champions and group winners Netherlands and Norway were the favorites on paper. Norway put a lot of attacking power on Spain and won 18-12 18-9 despite some solid defending from the Spanish ladies. The other semi final between the Netherlands and Austria was yet another nerve wrecking thriller. In three intense sets Austria came out victorious 18-15 15-18 14-16. The reaction of Evelyn Dobbinga afterwards says it all:

I’m going to train my other shoulder non-stop for a year because these Austrian girls can use both shoulders without any difference in quality.
Evelyn Dobbinga, European Champion 2017 & 2018

And Julia and Antonia prepared for the final with that same disarming smile on their faces.

In the bronze final the Netherlands got the upper hand from Spain 18-10. From then on all eyes were on the women’s final on Saturday night: Austria versus Norway.

RESULTS: See all results from the EFC 2021

From Austria with a smile

Smile, it confuses people they say. Actually all four athletes entering the final arena smiled. The outgoing champion twins Pernille and Henriette from Norway didn’t have an optimal preparation. And they knew what they were up against: a fierce, fast and technically skilled Austrian team. Antonia and Julia already felt victorious for reaching the final.

The women told me after each game how glad they were just to be here. They didn’t focus on the title. They just wanted to gain experience. Did I mention they are from Graz?’
Benedikt Hofmann-Wellenhof, Footvolley Austria

Julia Rauch was a good beach volley player in her youth. She’s got an excellent timing and feels really comfortable close to the net. On top, she also played football which shows when she’s defending with both her feet. She already participated in the European Championship 2018 in Graz, but with a different partner. Antonia Missethan made the biggest leap forward. She started playing footvolley only one year ago.

One day I was playing beach volley in Graz and saw three guys playing footvolley. So I asked if I could join them. And with the first touch I fell in love with the sport. The community was so supportive, welcoming and fun. I couldn’t stop.
Antonia Missethan, European Champion 2021

After the summer of 2020 she did an internship in Barcelona as a part of her studies There she played footvolley almost every day and she was coached by the best. Her skills don’t happen overnight. It takes passion and hard work. Later on this year she will travel to Rio de Janeiro for an extra training camp..

You can rewatch the final below but it went something like this: The referee whistles. Austria takes the lead in the first set. Rallies are getting longer, which Austria seems to like. Austria wins that first set 18-12. The Norwegians adjust their strategy by bringing more variation in their powerful services and attacks. Norway wins the second set with 7-18. The referee tosses a coin. Julia Rauch starts serving on Henriette for the third and final set. Austria now attacks with more precise short balls. We see a beautiful back header from Antonia securing a 12-6 lead. The Norwegian twins fight off 4 match points but Antonia finishes it with a very sharp diagonal ball. Emotions of disbelief and pure happiness. A respectful applause from the twins. A well deserved European Championship 2021 title for Austria. Gemma!

• ALL THE TEAMS: See all the teams from the women’s tournament

• RESULTS: See the full schedule and results

• GROUPS: See the tournament groups

• RANKING: See the tournament rankings

PHOTOS

All photos 📷: Mario Klaiber & Johannes Zimmermann