In an unforgettable night under the Eiffel Tower, Sweden’s David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig made history by winning gold in men’s beach volleyball at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The young Swedish duo, both just 22 years old, dominated the final match, defeating Germany’s Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler in straight sets, 21-10, 21-13.
A Night to Remember
The final match occurred in one of the most iconic locations imaginable: under the shimmering Eiffel Tower. The atmosphere was electric as fans packed the stands, many dressed in Sweden’s bright yellow colours, cheering on Ahman and Hellvig. As the sun set over Paris, the Swedish pair took to the sand, enjoying every moment of this incredible opportunity.
The match itself was over almost as quickly as it began. Ahman and Hellvig came out strong, winning the first set 21-10. The German pair, unbeaten in the tournament until the final, struggled to find their rhythm. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t keep up with the Swedes, who were playing at the top of their game.
The second set saw the Germans putting up a bit more of a fight, but it wasn’t enough. Ahman and Hellvig were too good, closing the match with a 21-13 win. As the final point was scored, the Swedish fans celebrated, and Ahman and Hellvig bowed to the crowd with the Eiffel Tower twinkling behind them.1
- The Swedish Jump-Set
Ahman and Hellvig have become known for their unique style of play, particularly their “Swedish jump set.” This attacking strategy adds an element of unpredictability to their game, making it difficult for opponents to anticipate their moves. It’s a style that has set them apart on the world stage and was on full display in Paris.
The Swedes used their jump set significantly throughout the match, keeping the German pair on the back foot. Hellvig, in particular, was a force at the net, raising four kill blocks and firing one ace to score a match-high 14 points. Ahman was right there with him, adding 11 points, including two aces and the swing that sealed the victory.
A Dream Come True
After the match, Ahman and Hellvig were almost in disbelief at what they had just achieved. “It’s just unbelievable! We don’t know what we did out there,” Ahman said, still trying to process the moment. “We played our hearts out, and it worked so well. And now we’re standing here with a gold medal, and it’s just unbelievable.”
Hellvig echoed his teammate’s sentiments, adding, “We were focused on every point and didn’t look too much at the score. It was always about the next point, and I couldn’t believe it when we couldn’t reach the last point. I was looking over at the scoreboard and wondered what had happened. IIt’scrazy!”
Making History for Sweden
This victory is more than just an Olympic gold medal; it’s a historic moment for Swedish beach volleyball. Ahman and HHellvig’swin marks SSweden’s first-ever Olympic medal in the sport, a massive achievement for the country. The pair had already made a name in volleyball, winning the Youth Olympic title in Buenos Aires in 2018, the FIVB U21 World Championship in 2021, and multiple European Championship crowns. But this gold medal in Paris is undoubtedly the pinnacle of their careers so far.
A Tough Night for Germany
The night was a mix of emotions for the German pair, Ehlers and Wickler. They came into the final unbeaten, full of confidence, but things didn’t go as planned. “Hey, are the best team in the world,” Wickler said after the match, acknowledging the strength of the Swedish duo. “If you look at the last two years, how many times have they won gold medals on the highest stage and were top-seeded in this Olympic Games? I think any gold medal other than gold would have disappointed them.” Despite the disappointment of losing in the final, Wickler and Ehlers can still be proud of their achievement. Their silver medal is GGermany’sthird third Olympic medal in beach volleyball, following a bronze in Sydney 2000 and a gold in London 2012. But for now, the pain of losing in the final is still fresh. “It’s like ups and downs in our heads at the moment,” Ehlers said. “when we got the medals around our necks, it felt amazing, but the next moment, I remembered whatever was done in the final, and I’m sad again. So, I think I will need more time to realize and appreciate what we’ve done in the last two weeks.”
Norway Takes Bronze
Earlier in the day, the defending Olympic champions Anders Berntsen Mol and Christian Sandlie Soerum of Norway captured the bronze medal, defeatQatar’sar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in straight sets, 21-13, 21-16. The Norwegian pair, who had won gold in Tokyo 2020, were disappointed not to make it to the final, but they were determined to leave Paris with a med. “It’s huge; this was the goal, to be able to come back here and compete for the medals. We knew it would be tough, but I think we managed it well,” Mol said after the mat “I’m “I’m proud. It keeps us motivated for Los Angeles 2 “28.” ↩︎
Looking Ahead
As Ahman and Hellvig celebrate their victory, these young stars’ future looks incredibly bright. At just 22 years old, they’ve already achieved so much, and it’s clear that they have even bigger goals in mind. With their unique style of play and ability to perform under pressure, there’s no telling how far they can go in beach volleyball.
For now, though, they can bask in the glory of their Olympic triumph. Winning gold in Paris, under the Eiffel Tower, in front of a passionate crowd is the moment every athlete dreams of. And for David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, that dream has just become a reality.
