Austrian Teens Secure Gold at Leuven Futures Beach Volleyball

Austrian teenagers Lia Berger and Lilli Hohenauer emerged victorious in the women’s category at the Leuven Futures, part of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, held from July 22 to 22, 2025. Their triumph marks a significant achievement for both athletes, as they clinched their first Beach Pro Tour gold medal in a competitive field that featured 27 women’s teams and 28 men’s teams from 24 different countries.

The event took place in Leuven, Belgium, where Berger, aged 17, and Hohenauer, aged 18, demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. They suffered only one loss, which occurred in the pool finals against the top-seeded Peruvian team of Lisbeth Allcca and Claudia Gaona. Following that setback, the Austrians secured a four-match winning streak, culminating in a decisive 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) victory against Belgium’s Youna Coens and Sarah Cools in the gold medal match.

In the semifinal round, the eighth-seeded duo showcased their prowess by defeating another Belgian team, Britt Ruysschaert and Isabel Van den Broeck, with a solid score of 2-0 (21-15, 21-15). The Belgian team, Coens and Cools, also made headlines by achieving a podium finish in their first Beach Pro Tour appearance together, having earned the silver medal after beating third-seeded Lisa Luini and Desy Poiesz of the Netherlands in another semifinal match.

In the men’s final, an all-Belgian showdown saw Louis Vandecaveye and Gilles Vandecaveye claim the gold medal, further solidifying their status as top competitors in the sport. The duo edged past Kyan Vercauteren and Joppe Van Langendonck in a tightly contested match, finishing with a score of 2-1 (19-21, 21-16, 15-12). This victory marks their second consecutive gold medal on the Beach Pro Tour, having previously triumphed at the Ios Futures.

The Leuven Futures not only highlighted emerging talent in beach volleyball but also emphasized the growing popularity of the sport in Belgium and across Europe. The event attracted significant attention from local fans, showcasing the potential of young athletes on the international stage.

Dr. Thomas Müller, a sports analyst at the University of Leuven, commented on the event's impact: "The success of young athletes like Berger and Hohenauer is critical for the future of beach volleyball in Austria. It encourages more youth participation in sports and can help foster a new generation of champions."

Looking ahead, the next events in the Beach Pro Tour are set to take place in Tallinn, Estonia, from August 13 to 16, and Busan Gwangalli, Korea, from August 14 to 17. The continued success and visibility of young athletes in these competitions could significantly influence the development of beach volleyball globally, as more nations invest in training and support for their athletes.

This year’s competition underlines the importance of youth involvement in sports and how international platforms can motivate young talents to pursue excellence and achieve remarkable feats in their athletic careers.