The sun, the sand, and the spirit of competition came together in Alanya as the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge drew to an exciting close. From June 11 to 15, the newly completed Alanya International Beach Sports Centre played host to some of the best beach volleyball teams from around the world—and what a showdown it was.
Final Day Thrills
The final day of the tournament kicked off with the men's semifinals, where teams from the Czech Republic and France fought their way into the finals. Perusic and Schweiner from the Czech team, along with the French duo Rotar and Gauthier-Rat, secured their spots in the gold medal match.
On the women’s side, the bronze medal match took an unexpected turn when Italian player Bianchi had to withdraw due to injury. That handed the bronze to the French team, Vieira and Chamereau. In the men’s bracket, the Brazilian team of George and Saymon walked away with the bronze.
As for silver, Italy’s Gottardi and Orsi Toth took second place in the women’s competition, while France’s Rotar and Gauthier-Rat secured silver for the men.
The Champions Are Crowned
The tournament ended on a high note with Switzerland’s Anouk and Zoe winning the women’s final, while the Czech team of Perusic and Schweiner triumphed in the men’s final—cementing their place at the top of the sand.
Alanya’s New Star: The Beach Sports Centre
Described as the "Champions League of beach volleyball," this tournament marked a major milestone for the newly built Alanya International Beach Sports Centre. The venue has already been praised as one of a kind, with eco-friendly features including a zero carbon footprint and seating colours inspired by Alanya’s local character—avocados, oranges, and sunshine.
Beyond the Beach
Long known for its sea, sand, and sun, Alanya is now expanding its tourism profile to include international sports. This tournament is expected to bring lasting benefits to both the city and Turkey as a whole, adding a new layer to the region’s reputation on the global stage.
With this successful event, Alanya proves it's not just a beach town—it's becoming a serious player in global sports tourism.
