Star duo David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig have won Olympic and World Championship gold medals, as well as several World Tour titles. Together with Jacob Hölting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson, they have put Sweden on the map in beach volleyball.
Now the Åhman/Hellvig team is preparing for a new season, which will be especially important because it will also serve as an Olympic qualifier for Los Angeles in the summer of 2028.
But planning has stalled. The International Volleyball Federation has not yet finalized the competition schedule for 2027. This is causing problems not only for Åhman and Hellvig, but for all teams.
"It’s been like this for a while, and that makes it difficult to plan. At least we know that the next competition, in Brazil in December, will be important, and now we’re focusing on doing everything we can to be ready," says David Åhman with a sigh.
"After that competition, we may get a little more information about the upcoming season so we can look ahead and decide how we want to structure our plan," says Jonatan Hellvig.
“Nothing we can influence”
The duo says the FIVB’s handling of the situation has been substandard.
"We simply don’t get enough information. It’s just too bad. It becomes a difficult situation when you find out that you’re going to compete in December just a month beforehand," says Åhman.
But it’s nothing we can influence. What we can do is adapt and make the best of the situation.
The World Tour competition schedule is now set through May. What happens after that is unclear. The World Championships are also expected to be held in the Netherlands in August next year.
"Of course, it would have been good if everything were set and we could plan properly for each competition," says Jonatan Hellvig.
Complains about the situation
Is that usually the case?
No, things have been really bad for the last six months, says Åhman.
Have you voiced any criticism?
"Yes, it’s not just us who are upset about this. It’s the entire World Tour. But unfortunately, we haven’t received an answer," says Åhman.
The situation is particularly regrettable because the sport is growing in popularity, especially in Sweden.
It’s really noticeable. We’ve heard about the great interest here and that several clubs around the country are struggling to accommodate everyone who wants to start playing. It’s really fun to see," says Hellvig.
TT has contacted the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) for comment.
Thanks to Jacob Hölting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson’s European Championship gold this summer, Sweden has been guaranteed a quota place at the Olympics.
There is a good chance that Sweden will get two teams to Los Angeles. The best chance is through the ranking qualifiers, which begin in December 2026 and continue for 16 months. The 12 best results count, and there are 14 places available.
A World Championship gold medal also earns a place at the Olympics. The championship will be held in the Netherlands next August.
There is also a final qualifying opportunity. These competitions will be held in the spring of 2028, and teams will have to perform well to reach the Olympics.
