Pioneer referee Arie Paap passed away

Hello dear friends,

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Arie Paap, a legendary figure in the European footvolley community. Arie was a pioneer referee, having officiated at the very first European Footvolley Championships in 2016 and several more since then. Together with his beloved Nelleke they traveled many miles to tournaments all over Europe. They contributed greatly to the birth and rise of our sports federation since the earliest days.

His presence on the court was commanding, his whistle a familiar sound to countless players across Europe. Beyond his role as a referee, Arie was a mentor and a friend to many. He was always eager to share his knowledge and experience with young referees, inspiring the next generation of officials.

In the name of the European league referees, I liked to say that Arie Paap will forever be etched in the history of European footvolley. He was part of the pioneering group of referees. His legacy will endure, a testament to his passion and dedication. He was very competent and always friendly. Arie worked well in team and had a very good heart. He refereed European finals and left his legacy for future generations. I wish I could give him a warm hug and remember the good times together, and thank him again for what I learned from him and the support he always gave me, encouraging me to go further.
- Igor Alberto Oliveira, head of the EFVL referee department

Arie Paap, during the EFVL Finals Championship 2019 in Lucerne, Switzerland

Arie's passion for footvolley extended beyond the court. He was a man of principles, an optimist, and a true sports enthusiast. His infectious laughter, boundless energy, and unwavering commitment to the sport will be deeply missed.

On Sunday November 24 Arie passed away peacefully in the presence of all his beloved ones. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Arie's family and friends during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.

To leave a Mark

Hello dear friends,

My heart aches as I share this news with you. Mark van Londen, a beloved member of our footvolley community, passed away on September 2, 2024 due to illness. Born on April 15, 1970, in the Netherlands, he was a pioneer in the sport of footvolley, leaving an indelible mark on its growth and development. Mark is survived by his loving wife, Suzanna, and their daughters, Nami and Liv. His memory and legacy will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and our entire footvolley community.

A passionate player, a dedicated organizer, a creative sports marketeer and one of the founding fathers of the European Footvolley League, Mark's contributions to footvolley were immeasurable. As a player he co-founded FV Amsterdam. Internationally he represented the Netherlands and competed in prestigious tournaments around the world, including in Miami 2008 (with Erik Drenth where they met Romário de Souza Faria, in Marseille (with Marco Brutus Pot, where they reached the semi finals versus Italy), in Valencia and many more, all showcasing his drive, skills and sportsmanship.

As an event organizer and talented marketeer, Mark was instrumental in opening up countless opportunities within the footvolley community. Among his notable accomplishments were organizing the Dutch Championship in the indoor Beach in Aalsmeer and in the city of Amsterdam. Also well known was the international King of the Beach tournament in the beach stadium in Scheveningen/The Hagues. For several years, he also successfully managed the City Beach tour, bringing high level footvolley to various Dutch cities.

Last but not least, his unwavering commitment to the sport led him to become one of the founding fathers of the European Footvolley League (EFVL), paving the way for countless opportunities for players across Europe.

1st EFVL meeting in Rome, May 2015: Nick Dugdale-Moore, Erik Drenth, Carlos Coimbra, Nayden Stoyanov, Frederic Salamone, Mark van Londen, Ulli Hulsmans, Sascha Kühne and Dennis Bessel.

The EFVL tournament officials at the European Championship in Albufeira, Portugal 2017. Behind the logo: Mark van Londen and Kristoffer Aarskog.

If you do it, you will do it well

Mark was a lot more than just a sports enthusiast; he was a mentor, an inspiration to so many. His wisdom and positive spirit motivated those around him to strive for excellence. His guiding principle, "If you do it, you will do it well" resonated with all who met him. That’s why Mark is part of so many stories. It would be great if we as his footvolley family would leave a message for his family. You can leave a comment below this article, on our social media or you can use the link to the official online condolence register. The family would love to make a movie of Mark’s life so they very much welcome video messages and photos.

So what to do now, dear friends? Live our life to the fullest is what Mark would say: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” That is how I will remember him: After the tournament in Albufeira at the official boat party dancing into the setting sun.

You can see Mark at 0:33, 1:15, 1:27 and 1:49.

Follow the sun.

So long dear friend, you made an indelible impression on thousands of people. You are part of so many stories. We all rush through life as if there will always be more new experiences than memories. And suddenly we reach that turning point... always too soon and without mercy. So all we can do is to tell the good stories repeatedly and create some new ones until our time has come. Let’s follow the sun and leave a mark. Rest in peace.

Footvolley Dominance: Israel and Austria Reign Supreme in Bastia

Israeli and Austria win third European title in Bastia 2024

The 2024 European Footvolley Championship concluded with a resounding victory for the defending champions, Israel (Men) and Austria (Women). Held in the picturesque French city of Bastia, the tournament showcased the sport's growing popularity and intense competition.

The Israeli men Ron Ben Ishai & Maor Haas and Austrian women Julia Rauch & Antonia Missethan once again proved their mastery on the sand, retaining their titles from the previous year's EFVL Finals in Albufeira 2023. While there was no change in the overall power dynamic, the tournament highlighted a noticeable improvement in the general level of play, with several emerging talents making their mark. Despite being highly anticipated, several of the pre-tournament favorites failed to reach the final stages. Almost always after really close and intense battles.

The European Footvolley Federation, in collaboration with FV France and the local organizer Corsica FTV, successfully elevated the visibility of footvolley in this 8th edition of the championship. With the partnership of the city of Bastia the legendary Place de Saint-Nicolas was transformed into a stunning beach stadium, providing a captivating backdrop for the intense matches. The crowd in the stands was electric with excitement.

The tournament served as a platform for athletes from across Europe to showcase their skills and compete for glory. As footvolley continues to gain momentum, the European Championship remains a cornerstone event for the sport, attracting both established players and rising stars.

This is the podium and below you can find match videos. The full report with photos is coming soon.

Podium Men:

1. Israel 2 🇮🇱 Ron Ben Ishay & Maor Haas

2. Germany 🇩🇪 Joel Nisslein & Lukas Kicherer

3. Israel 1 🇮🇱 Li Liberman & Roei Braverman

4. France 2 🇫🇷 Anghjulu'Maria Plasenzotti & Lucien Alessandri

Podium Women:

1. Austria 🇦🇹 Julia Rauch & Antonia Missethan

2. Portugal 🇵🇹 Beatriz Sousa & Amanda Leal

3. Spain 🇪🇸 Yosy Silva & Keyla Faria

4. Germany 🇩🇪 Nicole Weber & Stella Glöckner

Israeli men European Champions 2023

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.

From left to right: Maor Haas, Ron Ben Ishai, Alain Faccini and Federico Iacopucci.

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.

Austrian women European Champions 2023

Women's Category shines at the European Footvolley Championship 2023

The Women's category of the European Footvolley Championship 2023 in Albufeira, Portugal, delivered an exhilarating showcase of elite-level game play and unexpected twists. Three countries had been dominating the EFVL Tour season 2023: Austria with Antonia Missethan & Julia Rauch, Spain with Yosy Silva Vera & Itziar Cid Echevarría and the Netherlands with Evelyn Dobbinga & Emmelie van der Velde. Little did they know a fourth country was going to meddle in their ambitions in these EFVL Finals 2023.

Group A: Austrian dominance

In group A Austria faced Germany, Switzerland and Portugal 2. The German players Nicole Kraus and Lea Storzum, always elegantly fighting each point, only lost their opening game to Austria. The Swiss women Sara Garcia & Lena Stucki, who have been this season’s revelation and whose results propelled them to the 4th place in the EFVL ranking fought hard and made it to the elimination game. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Amanda Hollerbach and Rafaela Veiga of Portugal 2. After a 18:14 loss to Switzerland they became last in the group. But they made a great impression and showed the technical skills and passion that is needed to make it onto the elite level.

Group B: Fierce competition, Netherlands victorious

In group B a very focused team Netherlands won all group games. Evelyn and Emmelie won 18:13 to the Spanish powerhouse Yosy and Itzi, a final avant la lettre. The Dutch girls also beat Portugal 1 with Beatriz Sousa and Amanda Leal with 18:13. In the next group game Spain had to stand on its toes to beat these Portuguese newcomers 18:16. In all these battles the young Italian team Nicole Tonetto and Arianna Sanchi was no match to any of the above. Nicole did play at the elite level in Austria before but for Arianna it was a first appearance outside of Italy. Of course it was a great learning experience and an excellent way to join our family. The future looks bright.

Eliminations: Early exits Germany and Switzerland, teams of group B prevail

In the elimination round a slowly warming up Portugal 1 managed to beat an experienced Germany with 18:10 and 18:16. This was a small surprise because the Portuguese ladies appeared out of the blue on the international stage. Anyhow, Amanda and Bea showed a lot of technical skill, speed and power. In the second elimination game Spain beat Switzerland but did not receive any presents or time to relax: 18:10 21:19.

Semi-Final Spectacle

The semi-finals of the Women's category were nothing short of spectacular, featuring intense three-set battles that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Austria vs Spain

• Scores: 18:11, 19:21, 23:21

• The showdown between Austria and Spain was a roller-coaster ride of skill and strategy. After an initial lead by Austria, Spain rallied back with exceptional defense and precise attacks. The final set was a nail-biting affair, with Austria securing a hard-fought victory in a thrilling tiebreaker 23-21!

Netherlands vs Portugal 1

• Scores: 13:18, 18:9, 13:15

• The clash between the Netherlands and Portugal was a true battle of wills. With each team showcasing their strengths, the match was marked by incredible rallies and strategic plays. Not many opponents chose to serve on 2 times European champion Evelyn. Both teams had a lot of support on the stands. But in the end, Portugal's resilience proved to be the deciding factor, securing them a spot in the finals.

Podium Battles

In the battle for third place, the Netherlands faced off against Spain in a hard-fought match. The Netherlands demonstrated their prowess, securing a decisive victory with a score of 18:9, claiming the third spot on the podium.

Austria's Second Title

In the highly anticipated final match, Austria faced a new but formidable opponent in Portugal. The Austrian leading ladies Julia and Antonia, displaying once more exceptional teamwork and relentless determination, managed to secure their second European title with impressive scores of 18:13 and 18:10, showcasing their dominance in the Women's category. Portugal receives its first ever silver medal in the Women’s category.

Unique: EFVL’s women only final

Another premiere in the world of footvolley: Both referees of the final were also women. Referee Emeli Zeiser from Germany and Cátia Alves from Portugal whistled an amazing EFVL Finals. Afterwards all fans agreed the women’s category was nothing short of breathtaking to watch. Congratulations to all women for their hard work to promote footvolley. Keep it up!

References & links:

Tournament page: Participants and groups

Schedule, matches & scores

Portugal Saves the European Championship 2023

Albufeira city hall Rises to the Occasion Amidst Security Concerns

In a remarkable turn of events, the much-anticipated European Footvolley Championship found a new home in the picturesque coastal town of Albufeira, Portugal. The EFVL Finals of the the Tour 2023 were originally taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel. However the Israeli federation (IFA) foresaw serious security issues prompting a last-minute relocation, leaving the EFVL scrambling for an alternative venue. In a display of unity and sporting camaraderie, the Portuguese National Federation of Footvolley (FNFV) swiftly stepped in to ensure that the championship would go on at the same dates of 28 and 29 October.

Albufeira: A Familiar Setting:

For Albufeira, this championship is a homecoming of sorts. This charming town in the Algarve on Portugal's southern coast has a storied history with the sport, having played host to numerous national and international footvolley events, including the European tour in 2017 and 2019.. The town's stunning beaches and vibrant atmosphere have made it a absolute favorite among footvolley enthusiasts.

A Testament to Resilience:

The decision to relocate the championship was not taken lightly, reflecting the gravity of the situation in Israel. Amidst these challenging circumstances, the EFVL turned to its Portuguese counterparts, who, without hesitation, answered the call. The FNFV's decisive action not only salvaged the event but also demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the footvolley community to adapt and overcome in the face of adversity. And also our member nations answered the call. Virtually all the national champions who participated in the EFVL Tour have registered to compete for the title in Albufeira. Have a look at our tournament page to find out who is playing who and how you can watch the live stream.

United we play, our super power

Footvolley in Europe, represented by all members nations in the EFVL, has always stood as a testament to the power of unity in the world of sports. This last-minute relocation highlights the solidarity and cooperation that underpin the sport. Players, referees, organizers, and fans alike rally together to ensure that the championship will proceed. With the backdrop of Albufeira's sun-drenched shores and azure waters, the tournament is set to be a memorable event for all involved.

EFVL Competition expert panel

Competition working group Tour 2024

We are looking for experts to review and manage the EFVL Competition system for the upcoming EFVL Tour 2024 and beyond Together this group will form the EFVL Competition department and make proposals and decisions on:

• The different tour formats (Open, Major, Finals etc)

• The tournament structure (seeding, draws, groups, match schedule) and competition system used in each of these events

• The Ranking point system: Country points and player points. European, National and Regional points. 

This group is open to everybody who's a footvolley insider and has some Competition expertise. Everybody can join: You can be a player, a referee, an organiser, a national federation member or an ambassador. Take your chance to help out with the development of our sport. You can share this link to anyone that you think is up for the challenge.

The meetings of this working group will take place via Microsoft Teams and this with a minimum of once a month. Join us and be a part of the future of footvolley! Sign up to the form until the 1st of September.

The EFVL Executive Committee will choose a balanced group of maximum 10 people. The first introduction meeting will be announced for September.

Brazil conquers World League in Rome 2023

Brazil Victorious in first Footvolley World League cup

Rome, Italy - The first-ever edition of the Footvolley World League concluded in breathtaking fashion The favorites from Brazil won both the men’s and the women’s final and crowned themselves the undisputed World League champions. But also the fans in the stadium, the viewers at home and the sport in general were winners last weekend. An excellent start of the first competition-based world league tournament and a great leap forward for the foundation of the world federation and the recognition of the sport.

Men

From June 9th to 11th, Rome played host to 16 top-tier Men's teams and 8 Women's teams from four continents. In the Men's category, Brazil emerged as the champions, but not without facing an unexpected challenge from Israel. The Brazilian squad Fabricio ‘Brisa’ Santos & Sandrey de Oliveira have been dominating the Brazilian tournaments for a while now. But in the final in Rome they unexpectedly were pushed to a third set by a resilient Israeli team (Ron Ben Ishay & Maor Haas). Despite the stiff competition and a lot of shark blocks, Brazil showcased their expertise and claimed the 2-1 victory. The scores were 18:10 16:18 15:12. To our knowledge is the first time any European team came that close.

The semi-finals saw another jaw-dropping upset as Israel triumphed over the home team, Italy. Federico Iacopucci & Alain Faccini fought Israel in a fiercely contested match that extended to three closely fought sets: 6:18 18:7 15:13 Italy, currently number 1 in the EFVL ranking and vice-European Champions 2022, had their title aspirations shattered, leaving their passionate fans stunned. Israel's remarkable performance against two formidable opponents showcased their dedication and skills and the growing global competitiveness of footvolley.

Men’s podium.

Women

Meanwhile, in the Women's category, Brazil's dominance extended to the female teams as well. The magic duo Natalia Guitler & Vanessa Tabarez clinched the championship with an impressive display of skill, power and teamwork, defeating Yosy Silva Vera & Keyla Faria of Spain in a match that showcased their superiority. Brazil's victory in the Women's finals solidified their status as a powerhouse in footvolley.

The Women's semi-finals were not without their own share of surprises. Former European champions Austria (Julia Rauch & Antonia Missethan) and the Netherlands (Evelyn Dobbinga & Emmelie van der Velde) faced elimination, leaving the path clear for unexpected young contenders Spain. Italy, the current European champions, suffered a severe blow just before the start of the tournament when Sara Cupellini became ill, Elisa Mainardi stepped in last minute to play with Elisabetta Fiorella but they stranded in the quarter finals.

Women’s podium

United we play

The inaugural Footvolley World League delivered on its promise of showcasing the world's best footvolley talents. Congratulations are in order to all involved. To the athletes for their hard work ever improving their skills. Some of them travelling halfway around the world from Singapore, the US or Uruguay. To the international federations and ambassadors for their support and confidence in the project of FWL. To our elite referee team and tournament direction. To the local organisation of FV Italy, the partners and sponsors, and to the staff of Pinetina Beach in Ostia for making us feel right at home. The stadium set-up, the TV production and all surrounding conditions were amazing. To Max Tonetto, Frederic Salamone, Miriam Pragliola and team who are the perfect hosts and managed to bring a true World Champion Aldair in as the godfather of the sport. As footvolley continues to gain popularity worldwide, the future of the sport looks bright. The success of the Footvolley World League's inaugural edition has set the stage for even greater excitement and competition in the years to come. Stay tuned #unitedweplay

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EFVL Congress meeting Albufeira 2023

We are thrilled to report the successful outcome of the EFVL Congress 2023 meeting held in Albufeira, Portugal from 5-7 May. Thank you to all the participants who joined us in this important event. Special thanks go out to our amazing host Carlos Coimbra, FNFV and the city of Albufeira for the support and the amazing meeting Room Sala Azul on the beach.

During the congress, decisions were made to further develop the sport of footvolley and establish a more structured organisation. We are certain that these measures will help promote footvolley across Europe and beyond, and ensure its continued growth and success

At first we reported on the current situation of the EFVL and its member nations. Did you know that in 2022 more than 7500 people played footvolley in all of its modalities and on some occasions and that 1776 players participated in a national competition event? We also made an evaluation of our 4 European Tour events of last year in which 103 different players participated. We used these insights to make improvements to the current Tour 2023 which starts on 13-14 May.

To be of service to the member nations and their needs we will soon launch an EFVL Academy. It will have online seminars on topics like how to organise an event. In this academy we will also provide how to play tutorials for starters. We will move forward on licensing for referees, coaches and tournament delegates too. We’re actively looking for candidates and we will ask all ambassadors for support. This means you should start to look for talents in your country now.

A big leap forward is that we agreed for the season 2024 to start using an online EFVL software platform and app. This tool will be the answer to many of our challenges. It has professional management features for federations, tournaments, competition rankings, clubs and players.

For our own internal functioning in the Ambassadors and ExCo group we will move to a more userfriendly platform. Herewe will work on future projects and gather all information in 1 place.

To support these efforts, we discussed at length about budgets and ways of financing. And we voted to employ a Head of Administration halftime. In the short term we are also looking for a person helping out in the EFVL Office work.  The elections for both for President and Executive Committee members have been postponed to the next Congress.

TThis means that yours truly will remain as acting President until the next Congress at the end of this year. Vice-Presidents Carlos Coimbra and Erik Drenth (Head of FInance) also remain in the ExCo, together with Gal Hofu Levi, Sascha Kühne and Igor Oliveira. The current ExCo has also decided to add Cédric Schmutz to the Committee. So we currently have 7 members that manage our federation. But all will form separate working groups with experts and volunteers from all countries.

In conclusion, EFVL will focus its efforts on working together as a team to achieve our shared goals and objectives Once again, thank you to all who participated in this year's EFVL Congress, and we look forward to continuing our work together to promote the growth and development of footvolley.

Best regards,

Ulli Hulsmans

Footvolley World League Rome 2023

From June 8-11, 2023, Rome will host one of the most exciting and entertaining sports events of the year - the Footvolley World League. The event is set to attract footvolley enthusiasts from around the world, as sixteen male teams and eight female teams compete in this high-energy, sand-based sport.

The Footvolley World League is the ultimate showcase of the sport, bringing together some of the world's top footvolley players to compete in a series of matches over four days. The event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the best teams from from Brazil, Singapore, Uruguay, Morocco and other countries.

For sports fans in Rome, this is an unmissable event. The matches will be held on the picturesque sand courts of the Pinetina Beach Village in Ostia, providing a beautiful beach backdrop.

Whether you are a die-hard footvolley fan or simply looking for a fun and exciting sports event to attend, the Footvolley World League in Rome is sure to deliver. So mark your calendars for June 8-11, 2023, and get ready to witness some of the world's best footvolley players in action!