Curtain comes down on FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships

Doha: The curtain came down on the FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships for men and women, which were hosted by Qatar for the first time in the history of the Middle East, at the Al Gharrafa Beach Courts.In the men’s competition, Norway’s duo Ludvig Sødal Ringøen & Sebastian Lyngaas Kjemperud claimed the championship title and the gold medals after defeating Germany’s pair Jonathan Bungert & Filo Wüst in straight sets (2–0) in the final.The Italian duo  Riccardo Santomassimo & Marco Di Felice  took bronze following a 2–0 victory over Turkey’s BBarış Güldali & Polat Kemal Eser  in the third-place match.In the women’s competition, USA Team 1 — represented by Jordyn Scribner & Ella Grimes — captured the gold medals with a 2–0 victory over USA Team 2, featuring twins Avery and Addison Janke, who earned silver. The Belgian pair Lente Thant & Simone Vervloet clinched bronze after a hard-fought 2–1 win against Netherlands’ Esmee Radstake & Jara Both in the bronze medal match.The tournament featured 64 teams in total — 32 men’s and 32 women’s — representing 55 countries from across the globe.The event was hailed as a great success on both the organizational and technical fronts, earning widespread praise from all participating delegations for its high standards and meticulous planning. Participants unanimously commended the outstanding quality of the tournament, describing the Doha edition as exceptional in every respect.The championship once again demonstrated Qatar’s remarkable capabilities in hosting major international sporting events, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organizing committee, which ensured optimal conditions for all teams and athletes — delivering a world-class tournament in every detail.

Doha Falcons claim GCL podium in Rome

Rome: Doha Falcons claimed the runners-up place in the Global Champions League (GCL) of Rome as the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames delivered the only four flawless rounds to claim victory and draw level on points with championship leaders Valkenswaard United.With just two stages left in the 2025 season, both Cannes Stars and Valkenswaard on 277 points, but the latter retain lead given their more number of wins this year.At the Circus Maximus arena, it was the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames duo of Sophie Hinners with Iron Dames Combella and Katrin Eckermann aboard Chao Lee & Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS who were simply untouchable across both rounds. The pair produced immaculate clear rounds, combining precision and power to secure a commanding win on 0 faults and an overall time of 151.17 seconds.Eckermann praised the team’s cohesion: “It’s always special to win with this team - we trust each other completely, and the horses were in fantastic form today. Rome is one of the most beautiful shows on the circuit, and this win means everything for our championship fight.”It was a high-intensity showdown from start to finish. Doha Falcons played a great strategy not making a horse or rider change between rounds and impressed with consistency from Sheikh Ali Al Khalid al-Thani and Com’on Stanley alongside Bassem Mohammed with Rocket Man, securing second place on a total of 4 faults after two gritty rounds.Sheikh Ali said, “I am really happy with my team and my horse who jumped amazing today. This results is really amazing and to help the team rise a bit in the rankings so we are so happy.”Teammate Bassem explained: “We always try to stick to our plan and jump clear rounds in these team competitions. I am really happy to have my old team member back in the game and I couldn’t be more happy to have this result today standing beside him.”The Paris Panthers completed the podium with a combined total of 6 faults, led by Guido Grimaldi aboard Gentleman and Clara Pezzoli with Fantasia de Beaufour & Hadewyn van't Ravennest to secure their first-ever podium of the season. 

Germany Becomes First Team to Reach Semifinals of FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships

Doha: Germany became the first team to secure a place in the semifinals of the FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships, currently taking place at the Al Gharrafa Beach Courts in Doha and concluding today (Saturday).Germany’s Team A booked their semifinal berth with a dominant straight-sets victory over Ukraine (21–13, 21–11) in Friday’s quarterfinal match.Other teams advancing in the men’s competition included Netherlands A, who edged Brazil (2–1), Colombia A, who defeated Egypt (2–0), and Italy A, who swept Venezuela (2–0). In additional results, Italy B overcame Australia (2–0), Turkey beat Gambia (2–0), and Norway prevailed over Brazil (2–1) to continue their campaign.In the women’s category, Belgium, Germany, and Canada advanced to the quarterfinals after recording straight-set wins over Mexico, Brazil, and Italy, respectively. Netherlands also reached the next round with a 2–0 win over Australia, alongside Italy, who defeated Venezuela (2–0), and Brazil B, who outlasted Switzerland (2–1).The championship concludes today with the semifinals and medal matches, bringing an exciting finish to this historic first edition of the FIVB U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships hosted in Qatar.

UAE fight back to beat Oman, set up crucial decider against Qatar

Doha: United Arab Emirates produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat Oman 2-1 in Group A of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers play offs at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha Saturday.Goals in the closing minutes of the match completed a comeback with the victory meaning UAE only have to avoid defeat against hosts Qatar on Tuesday to book their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 while Oman’s dreams were dashed as they ended their campaign with a single point.For Qatar, a win against UAE would guarantee a spot at the World Cup. While a draw would keep their chances alive as they would finish second in the group ahead of Oman, but face a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18 against a side which finishes runner-up in Group B. This knockout stage will determine the AFC’s representative at the FIFA Playoff Tournament, where they will have to fend off opponents from other confederations to claim one of two berths.On Saturday, UAE started with Fabio Lima and Caio Lucas leading the line, while Oman made two changes from Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Qatar with Nasser al-Rawahi and Harib al-Saadi startling. Oman’s early pressure almost produced the opener in the sixth minute after Abdulrahman al-Mushaifri's challenge on UAE’s Abdalla Ramadan set Issam al-Sabhi through on goal but the Air Force Club forward’s attempt was denied by a timely intervention.UAE, however, were left stunned in the 12th minute when Oman broke the deadlock after Amjad al-Harthi drilled home Majed Hassan’s cross, which took a wicked deflection off Kouame Kouadio before settling in the back of the net.Cosmin Olaroiu’s UAE almost unlocked the Omani defence in the 21st minute when Lima’s lofted pass found Caio, who nodded the ball on for Nicolas Gimenez but the midfielder’s effort was parried by Oman keeper Ibrahim al-Mukhaini. A poor pass from Khalid Eisa almostgifted Oman their second eight minutes later when the keeper’s attempted chip was intercepted by al-Sabhi, only for Eisa to recover quickly and reclaim the ball.The Emiratis wasted their best chance just after the hour mark when Yahya al-Ghassani started a move on the left before ending his surging run down the centre by laying the ball for Gimenez, who dragged his effort wide. Olaroiu had sent on Caio Canedo, Yahia Nader and Harib Abdalla at different stages in the second half and a long ball from Gimenez found Canedo, whose volley was saved by al-Mukhaini.UAE thought they had a lifeline in the 70th minute when Thani al-Rushaidi looked to have brought down Ali Saleh inside the box with referee Alireza Faghani pointing to the spot but the decision was overturned following a VAR decision.The Emiratis, however, found the equaliser six minutes later when Saleh whipped in a pin-point cross for Marcus Meloni to finish with a thumping header past al-Mukhaini.Oman pushed forward but Eisa made a brilliant save to deny al-Mushaifri from close range in the 79th minute before UAE turned up the tempo to turn the match around four minutes later. Caio struck a curling effort from distance which dipped at the right time and bounced past a sprawling al-Mukhaini into the bottom right corner.Eisa then made a brilliant save when he got his fingertips to Zahir al-Aghbari’s shot from inside the box in the 89th minute as the UAE edged closer to a return to the FIFA World Cup, with their sole appearance coming in 1990. 

Team Qatar drawn in group 10 for 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships

Canberra: Team Qatar has been drawn at the top of Group 10 for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, set to take place in Adelaide, Australia, from November 14 to 23, 2025. The group also features Austria, Switzerland, and Cuba.Represented by the world-renowned duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, Qatar will compete among 48 men’s teams participating in the prestigious global event. In total, 96 teams—split equally between men and women—will contest the tournament, divided into 12 groups of four.In Group 10, Qatar will face Austria’s Hammerberg and Berger, Switzerland’s Hausener and Friedli, and Cuba’s Gomez and Ferranes. The FIVB confirmed that the full match schedule and ticket details will be released on October 14.Speaking on the occasion, Mohammed Salem Al-Kuwari, Chairman of the Beach Volleyball Committee at the Qatar Volleyball Association, affirmed that Team Qatar is fully prepared for the challenge ahead. He emphasized the team’s determination to deliver a performance worthy of Qatar’s global sporting reputation and to progress deep into the competition.Team Qatar enters the championship with high expectations, aiming to build on its remarkable track record, highlighted by the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a series of podium finishes in major international tournaments.The Adelaide 2025 World Championships promise world-class competition, featuring a blend of Olympic champions, world titleholders, and emerging teams, all vying for glory on the sands of Australia’s premier beach volleyball stage.

73 Qatari athletes set for 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has confirmed that Team Qatar will participate in the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games, set to take place in the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 22 to 31, with a delegation of 73 athletes competing among 5,000 participants from 45 Asian National Olympic Committees.During a press conference, Mohammed Abdul Salam, Director of Qatar’s Administrative Delegation, announced that Qatar will take part in 16 sports: athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, equestrian (show jumping), golf, judo, jiu-jitsu, cycling, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, wrestling, volleyball, beach volleyball, and boxing.He added that female athletes will represent Qatar in four sports — athletics, badminton, volleyball, and beach volleyball — reflecting the QOC’s commitment to expanding women’s participation across all disciplines.Abdul Salam emphasized that Qatar’s participation aligns with the QOC’s strategic objective to develop young athletes and prepare a new generation capable of representing the nation in future international competitions, particularly the Doha 2030 Asian Games.He expressed confidence in Qatar’s prospects, especially in athletics, equestrian, and golf, describing them as key disciplines where strong performances are expected. Despite the presence of powerhouse nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, Abdul Salam voiced optimism about the potential of Qatar’s emerging athletes to secure podium finishes.According to Abdul Salam, athlete selection followed a long-term development strategy, categorizing participants into three groups: athletes targeted for Doha 2030, elite medal contenders, and newcomers participating to gain valuable experience.He noted that Team Qatar’s preparations have been extensive, with several squads — particularly in athletics and swimming — completing intensive international training camps to enhance their physical and technical readiness ahead of the Games.Abdul Salam concluded by reaffirming the QOC’s full support for national sports federations, ensuring that all resources and logistical needs are met to enable athletes to perform at their highest level and uphold Qatar’s growing reputation in Asian sport.The 3rd Asian Youth Games will feature 24 sports and 253 events, and will also serve as a qualifier for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.Qatar previously won two silver medals in athletics at the Singapore 2009 edition, followed by three medals (one gold, two silver) at the Nanjing 2013 edition — including gold in handball and two silvers in shooting.