Fethiye, Turkey, September 21, 2014.  Norwegians Runar Torsvik Sannarnes / Christian Sandlie Sorum defeated Nico Beeler / Marco Krattiger from Switzerland by 3:0 (15-11, 15-12, 15-10) in the final of the men’s 2014 CEV U22 Beach Volleyball European Championship in Fethiye, Turkey to triumph as the new champions of Europe.

The last day of the tournament started with the semifinals.  Sannarnes / Sorum played against Christoph Dressler / Benedikt Kattner from Austria and Beeler / Krattiger faced off with Max Betzien / Mirko Schneider from Germany, and they both won after the fourth set.

The Norwegian duo started the final game very well and continued like this through the end.  It was the better team both in defense and offense and 1,000 spectators witnessed a great finale.  Sannarnes / Sorum achieved a straight-set victory by 3:0 (15-11, 15-12, 15-10).

The most important games require the best performances and Runar Torsvik Sannarnes stated that their best performance was in the final:  “I am extremely happy.  It is a great honor to be the best team in Europe.  It motivates me to work harder in the future.  We played some good matches and some bad matches during the championship, but we played our best in the final.  We had the best game against the best opponent.  It is amazing to play in front of these people.”

Christian Sandlie Sorum said that their preparation before the tournament was the key to their success:  “There are really good teams in this tournament, but we prepared well for all of them.  And now we are the best.  It is really amazing.  The spectators were great and cheering for us.  We want to thank all of them.  We will be even better in the future.”

Christoph Dressler / Benedikt Kattner and Max Betzien / Mirko Schneider played for the third place before the final.  Despite falling behind twice, the Austrians eventually won by 3:2 (15-17, 15-12, 15-17, 15-9, 7-5) and claimed the bronze medal.

Semifinals and finals for the distribution of the places from fifth through eighth were also played on Sunday in Fethiye and they determined these positions for Maciej Kosiak / Maciej Rudol from Poland, Kristoffer Abell / Martin Trans Hansen from Denmark, Enrico Rossi / Giacomo De Fabritiis from Italy and Lorenz Petutschnig / Tobias Winter from Austria, respectively.