Orsi Toth and Gottardi dropped only two sets over the week in Hamburg en route to their historic gold.
The sands of Hamburg, typically accustomed to crowning established titans, witnessed a fresh narrative unfold at the 2025 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event. Against all odds and perhaps even their own recent form, Italian duo Valentina Gottardi and Reka Orsi Toth clinched their inaugural gold medal as partners. This wasn`t merely a win; it was a defiant declaration, especially after overcoming the formidable FIVB World Ranking leaders, Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes of Brazil, in a pulsating final.
From Underdogs to Champions: A Tie-Breaker Triumph
The final match at the Am Rothenbaum Stadium was a masterclass in resilience. After dropping the first set 17-21 against the top-ranked Brazilians, many might have expected a conventional outcome. Yet, Gottardi and Orsi Toth, a team formed only in April, demonstrated a composure that belied their rookie status on the top step of the podium. They clawed back, taking the second set 21-18, forcing a decisive tie-breaker. The final set, a commanding 15-6 victory, painted a clear picture of their escalating dominance, proving that even the `World Ranking Leaders` occasionally need a reminder that the sand doesn`t always favor the familiar.
For Reka Orsi Toth, the victory resonated on a deeply personal level.
“It’s such an honor to play here,” Orsi Toth reflected. “When I was growing up, I used to watch my older sister (Tokyo Olympian Viktoria Orsi Toth) competing around the world and hope that one day I could play in a tournament like this. Winning gold here today is like a dream coming true.”
A dream realized, indeed. The symmetry of achieving such a milestone in the footsteps of a sibling Olympian adds a layer of emotional triumph to their technical prowess.
The Road Less Traveled: From Setbacks to Stardom
Their path to gold was far from linear. This partnership`s journey through the 2025 season has been a testament to perseverance. After six previous Beach Pro Tour appearances, their first taste of gold arrived, rather ironically, after what could be considered their most frustrating outing. At the Montréal Elite, the pair failed to win a single set in pool play, finishing a distant 13th – a number that, for this pair, clearly served as less of a setback and more of a launchpad.
Valentina Gottardi shed light on the challenges faced:
“The last tournament was very difficult for us because Reka was coming back from an injury,” Gottardi revealed. “But this week she showed the great player she is. I’m very proud of her for how she played here in Hamburg.”
This insight underscores the formidable nature of their achievement in Hamburg. To rebound from injury and a dismal performance to conquer an Elite event within weeks speaks volumes about their mental fortitude and mutual trust. Moreover, this victory marks a significant moment for Italian beach volleyball, as it is the first gold medal for an Italian female team in an Elite Beach Pro Tour event. Prior to this, their best result was a silver at the Alanya Challenge in June.
Brazilian Dominance and German Hopes
While the top spot belonged to Italy, the podium was heavily colored by Brazil. Reigning Olympic champions Duda Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos secured the bronze medal, demonstrating their consistent high-level performance. They dispatched home favorites Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann of Germany in straight sets (21-16, 21-18), denying the enthusiastic German crowd a local medal celebration.
This marked Duda and Ana Patrícia`s third consecutive bronze medal on the 2025 Beach Pro Tour, echoing their results in Brasília and Montréal. Their consistency, despite admitting to “many, many problems” throughout the season, is a hallmark of true champions. Ana Patrícia articulated this sentiment:
“I’m very happy,” Ana Patrícia highlighted. “I think these medals show that we’re having a good journey this season despite many, many problems. We’ve been trying to do our best every day, and today we could play at our best. It’s always very special to play here in Hamburg.”
Having triumphed in Hamburg in 2023, the city clearly holds a special place for the Olympic duo, even if this year it was for bronze.
Looking Ahead: The Tour Continues
The Hamburg Elite16 event concluded with memorable performances and a historic win, setting the stage for the next chapter of the Beach Pro Tour. The circuit now shifts its focus to Brazil, where the city of João Pessoa will host another Elite event from September 17-21. As teams regroup and strategies are refined, the competitive spirit of beach volleyball promises more thrilling contests on the global stage.
