WORLD’S BEST FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE BEACH VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The world’s best beach volleyball players have officially had their first look of the arena in Adelaide, with excitement building ahead of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships beginning tomorrow November 14. 

Australia’s top-ranked duos Taliqua Clancy and Jana Milutinovic, and Mark Nicolaidis and Izac Carracher were among the first to take in centre court at The Drive, joined by Paris Olympic champions Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos (Brazil) and Swedish stars David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig for an early taste of the action ahead of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships.

Set against a stunning Adelaide backdrop, the world-class venue has been transformed with over 4,000 tonnes of sand, creating a spectacular stage for 96 teams from 40 nations to battle for world championship glory.

Athletes praised the venue setup and the atmosphere as they settled into competition mode ahead of ten days of elite beach volleyball action.

Paris Olympians Mark Nicolaidis and Izac Carracher said he’s embracing the chance to showcase Australia’s culture on home sand alongside some of the world’s best.

“I’m looking forward to bringing all the internationals to the culture of Australia,” Nicolaidis said.

“I couldn’t have imagined it. It’s been three years since I made the decision to put everything on hold and purse beach volleyball, and Izac and I have taken every opportunity as it came and we never really looked too far forward, and now to have one of the biggest events on the calendar at home is a pinch yourself moment.”

“It’s been a long time coming in one sense, but it’s also rapidly coming in another,” Carracher said.

“We’ve been looking forward to this event since we knew it was on the radar in Mexico World Championships two years ago. Obviously a lot has happened between then and now with Paris (Olympics).

“It’s been a quick one that we’ve had to qualify for and back up, but it’s exciting that we have the opportunity to play and we’re absolutely ready to get started.

“Our very first World Championships was about three or four months into our partnership in Rome, and our second World Champs was in the bullring in Mexico. So to think that we had any idea that we’d be coming to Adelaide next, some would be saying is nonsense.

“But it’s really exciting to be here now and to bring an event of this scale to our friends and our family, and what’s now our home town – we just can’t wait to get started and make something really exciting for the fans.”

Fellow Olympian Taliqua Clancy reflected on the significance of competing on home sand, sharing her excitement and connection to Adelaide ahead of the tournament’s opening matches.

“I’m feeling excited, and the nerves slowly creep up here and there, but that’s really good because if I’m feeling nervous I know that I’m in a great place, so I’m just excited to get started tomorrow,” Clancy said.

“This is my seventh World Championships, and it’s definitely going to be one that is really special and one that I’ll forever remember. You don’t often get this opportunity to play at home, especially in one of your sports biggest events on the calendar. So it’s incredible, and really nice that my family only have to go a couple of hours on a plane.

“I get a bit nostalgic coming back to Adelaide, I lived 10 years here and it was really my formative years and when I first really started my career. And I went to my first Olympics when I lived here too. So it’s really nice to come back and it does feel like a piece of home.”

South Australian local Jana Milutinovic said competing in her first World Championships on home soil is a dream come true, with the chance to play in front of her community making the experience even more meaningful.

“This is my first world champs, so it’s all very new to me but so excited to see family and friends in the stands and get the Aussies behind us,” Milutinovic said.

“It’s very surreal to be back here for an event of this size, and people who have never had the opportunity to watch me play get to be here and watch me play at the highest level, which is really exciting and special.”

Swedish star David Åhman said he’s thrilled to be back on court after injury and adjusting well to Australian conditions.

“It feels really good to be here and I think the jet-lag is gone now too which is good, so we feel good,” Swedish stars David Åhman said. 

“This will be our first tournament back from injury so super excited to be back and hopefully we can play well.”

The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships begin Friday 14 November, with finals to be played on Sunday 23 November.

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