PARIS — Sweden’s David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig beat Germany’s Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler in straight sets to win the Olympic gold medal in men’s beach volleyball in a quick final at the impromptu arena at the base of the Eiffel Tower on Saturday.
At the floodlit stadium under the shimmering lights of the city’s most iconic monument, a pumped-up crowd wearing bracelets that lit up in a synchronized fashion celebrated each point, dancing to the tunes of the DJ in between.
Sweden had never won a medal in the sport and the two 22-year-olds, who have evolved the game with their trademark jump-set second-contact offense that has caught so many opponents off guard, were deserved winners after a stellar knockout phase.
On the white sand in perfect conditions, it was the Swedish pair who sparkled as they wrapped up the contest in 36 minutes, winning 21-10 21-13 — a far cry from the women’s final on Friday which went the distance.
Sweden stormed into the lead in the opening set with clever decision-making on attack points while the Germans made several errors, especially on serve.
Ahman and Hellvig communicated well to cover the court while they also managed to defend well against the 6-foot 11-inch German Ehlers.
Ultimately, the errors cost the Germans but it was Hellvig’s four block points that gave the Swedes the upper hand psychologically as their opponents struggled to score.
“They’re the best team in the world. It was a horrible match for us. … Before the match I felt amazing, I really can’t say what happened right now,” a shell-shocked Wickler said.
“We feel so bad playing at such a level in the biggest game of our career. We’re very sorry to the German fans, our friends and family who came here to watch.”
In the bronze medal match, Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, gold medalists in Tokyo three years ago, beat Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in straight sets.
The Qatar pair won bronze in Tokyo but the Norwegians sealed a convincing 21-13 21-16 victory and then urged the crowd to celebrate with a “Viking clap” that echoed around the arena.
–Reuters, Special to Field Level Media
