David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig have become world champions in beach volleyball after victory in the all-Swedish WM final in Adelaide. They defeated Jacob Hölting and Elmer Andersson 2–0 in a thrilling match. It is the first WM gold for the Olympic champions.
In the beach volleyball World Championship in Australia's Adelaide, two Swedish pairs faced off in the final: the reigning Olympic champions David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig against the WM debutants Jacob Hölting and Elmer Andersson. The match was a showcase of perfect beach volleyball, according to SVT expert Mattias Magnusson.
The first set was a long battle requiring 48 rallies, ending 25–23 for Åhman/Hellvig. In the second set, they gained a lead and won 21–19, securing their first WM gold. 'We have always dreamed of this, winning a WM gold. We didn't think it would come this time, after all the injuries,' David Åhman said after the victory.
Despite the loss, Hölting/Andersson were praised by Magnusson: 'That this 19- and 20-year-old team manages to perform at this level, in their most important match ever... Despite leaving with a silver medal... I am very impressed.' Jonatan Hellvig expressed pride in the Swedish team: 'This was so cool... I am just so proud of our team, our coaches, and of course Jacob and Elmer too.'
Jacob Hölting reflected: 'You have to zoom out a bit, and if someone said a year ago that we would be in the WM final, I think no one would believe it, not even us.' The expert believes in more medals ahead, perhaps two Swedish hopes in Los Angeles in three years. Swedish beach volleyball shows strength with two pairs in the final.
