What Happened: Samoilova/Graudiņa’s Three-Set Futures Final Victory

Anastasija Samoilova and Tīna Graudiņa, Latvia’s most experienced beach volleyball pair, secured their first FIVB Futures title in Jūrmala with a hard-fought three-set victory over a strong international field. The final, played on June 15 at the Jūrmala Beach Arena, saw the Latvian duo overcome a 21-19 first-set loss to win the next two sets 21-16 and 21-14, according to FIVB tournament records. The match lasted 92 minutes, with Samoilova/Graudiņa’s defensive play and precise setting proving decisive in the final sets.

This was Samoilova’s 12th career Futures title and Graudiņa’s seventh, cementing their status as Latvia’s most consistent beach volleyball duo. The victory also earned them a top-16 ranking protection for the upcoming FIVB World Tour, a critical step for teams aiming to qualify for the 2025 World Championships.

“We knew this tournament was going to be tough, but we prepared for every scenario. Today, we just had to execute under pressure, and the team delivered.” — Anastasija Samoilova, post-match (as reported by Jauns.lv)

Točs/Auziņš Dominate Latvian Beach Pro Championship

On the same day, Edgars Točs and Gustavs Auziņš claimed the Latvian Beach Pro national championship, defeating fellow Latvian pair Artūrs Rinkevičs and Kristaps Bedrīti in a two-set sweep (21-16, 21-18). The victory was Točs/Auziņš’s third title of the season, including two Futures wins earlier this year, and solidified their position as Latvia’s top men’s beach volleyball team.

Unlike the Futures tournament, which follows FIVB rules, the Latvian Beach Pro championship is a domestic competition with its own format. Matches are best-of-three sets, but the winning team must also secure a minimum of 25 points in each set—a rule that adds strategic depth. Točs/Auziņš’s ability to adapt to these local conditions was a key factor in their success, according to Sportacentrs.com.

The win also sets up Točs/Auziņš for a direct qualification spot in the upcoming FIVB Beach Volleyball Continental Cup, where they will face teams from across Europe in July.

Why It Matters: A Turning Point for Latvian Beach Volleyball

These victories come at a pivotal moment for Latvian beach volleyball, which has historically struggled to compete at the highest levels of the FIVB World Tour. While Latvia has produced strong indoor volleyball teams—most notably the women’s national team, which won bronze at the 2022 World Championship—the country’s beach program has lagged behind its Nordic neighbors (Estonia, Lithuania) and powerhouses like Germany and Brazil.

The back-to-back wins by Samoilova/Graudiņa and Točs/Auziņš signal a potential shift. Both pairs have been training under the guidance of Latvian Beach Volleyball Federation head coach Māris Šmits, who has emphasized a more defensive and tactical approach—a strategy that paid off in Jūrmala. “We’re finally seeing the fruits of our long-term development plan,” Šmits told LSM.lv. “These athletes have the skill, but now they’re learning how to use it under pressure.”

Context: Latvia’s beach volleyball program has faced funding challenges in recent years, with many athletes balancing training alongside other sports or professional commitments. Samoilova, a former indoor volleyball player, and Točs, who also competes in indoor volleyball, are exceptions—both have transitioned full-time to beach volleyball in the past two years.

Key Performances and Turning Points

Samoilova/Graudiņa’s victory hinged on three critical moments:

• First-set recovery (19-21):** After losing the opening set, the duo adjusted their serve strategy, forcing three consecutive errors from their opponents.
• Second-set block (21-16):** Graudiņa’s overhead block at 18-17 sealed the set, a play that Jauns.lv described as “the moment the crowd shifted.”
• Final-set serve dominance:** Samoilova’s powerful serves accounted for 60% of her team’s aces in the match.