ADELAIDE CROWDS TURNING UP ON DAY 2 OF THE FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ADELAIDE 2025

On day two of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships Adelaide 2025, the Aussie spirit remained unmistakable, with 8 of Australia’s 9 teams returning to the sand as pool play continued.

Paris Olympian Thomas Hodges and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Paul Burnett secured an impressive win over Brazilian duo George/Saymon in an electric 3-set match in front of a vocal home crowd.  

It was a huge upset in front of a passionate Aussie crowd, the Brazilians seeded 22nd, and the Aussies 46th.

After a tough loss to Olympic gold medalists Sweden last night, Hodges said the pair were pleased with how they reset between matches and backed themselves when it mattered.

“We had to really just close out last night and reset the mind and come out here today and play the volleyball that we know how to play,” Hodges said. 

“To get to do that in front of an awesome home crowd, they had so much energy out there, really carried us over the line, it was a lot of fun.”

Burnett said the Australian crowd played a huge role in lifting them through the tight moments.

“It just adds a whole other dimension, especially in a tight one, any little thing can be the difference and I think the crowd was the difference today.”

Earlier in the day, Australia’s men’s and women’s wildcard entries took to Centre Court, embracing the big stage atmosphere in front of a growing Adelaide crowd, with World Championships debutant Ben Hood saying the support helped them settle quickly into their rhythm.

“It was unreal, we found a bit of our groove and we started playing our best level as a team together, so that was really exciting,” Hood said.

“I think it’s getting better everyday with more people, more crowd and the feeling is getting better too.”

Teammate Oliver Merritt said having familiar faces in the stands made a real difference under pressure.

“It’s pretty cool when I am under the pump and I’m feeling a little bit of pressure, I know I can just look up into the crowd and see mum and dad and it settles me a little bit,” Merritt said.

Adelaide local Tara Phillips said the home-city atmosphere gave the pair a lift throughout their opening match.

“We really felt the support of the crowd, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to today but it was nice to be able to feel the crowds support with us,” Phillips said.

“It’s just incredible, getting that kill block definitely pumped us up a little bit and my whole family and Kayla’s family are here, and we knew they were right behind us.”

Queenslander Kayla Mears said it meant a lot to have loved ones in the stands during their World Championships campaign.

“It’s really special [to have my family here], they haven’t seen me play live in two years, so I am very happy that they are here.”

Every Australian match will be broadcast live and free on SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand, with tickets and hospitality available via Ticketek.