Israeli Beach Volleyball Duo Advances to European Championship Round of 16
Israeli beach volleyball players Ailon Eleazar from Emek Yizrael Volleyball Club and Kevin Koznmicov from Maccabi Tel Aviv achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the round of 16 at the European Beach Volleyball Championship held in Poland. On August 14, 2026, the pair secured their spot by first defeating the Portuguese team of Pedrosa and Campos in straight sets, 21-19 and 21-18, in a crucial group stage match.
Later that day, Eleazar and Koznmicov faced the strong German duo Alers and Wost in a decisive match for the round of 16 qualification. After winning the first set 21-19, they triumphed in a tense and lengthy second set with an impressive 35-33 score, clinching the match 2-0. Eleazar described the match as "crazy and full of emotions," praising the crowd's support and their own performance.
Looking ahead, the Israeli pair is set to face a tough challenge in the round of 16 against the highly ranked Norwegian team of Mo and Sørum, currently third in the world rankings. This marks a proud moment for Israeli beach volleyball as the team continues to compete at a high level in European tournaments.
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