Hungary optimistic about continued success with Volleyball Empowerment support

For Hungarian beach volleyball enthusiasts, 2023 will be a year to remember following a number of groundbreaking achievements with the support of FIVB Volleyball Empowerment.

The senior men’s beach volleyball team of Artur Hajos and Bence Attila Streli had a spectacular year, with several gold medals and podium places secured. Hajos and Streli won the first-ever Hungarian gold medal at a senior Middle European Volleyball Zonal Association (MEVZA) tournament in Kranj, Slovenia, after sweeping through the tournament undefeated. The duo also picked up Hungary’s first silver medal at a Beach Pro Tour Futures (Cervia) event.

Meanwhile, juniors Akos Veress and Bence Tari won the country’s first men's CEV U18 European Championship medal, when they claimed bronze in Madrid.

Hungary’s remarkable volleyball success of 2023 was realised with the help of Volleyball Empowerment support from the FIVB to the Hungarian Volleyball Federation (HVF). The Federation has received CHF 36,000 in coach support that has seen Brazilian coach Leonardo Lourenco Da Silva take charge of the senior men’s team.

According to the Head of Beach Volleyball at HVF, Robert Soltesz, Lourenco’s arrival has allowed for remarkable progress in Hungarian beach volleyball.

Robert said: “Lourenco’s expertise is something new and positive for Hungary. He immediately embarked on a training camp in Brazil and Tenerife which yielded a new perspective. We have seen huge improvements in tactics, movement, game approach, scouting and the mentality of the players, which has helped to bring out their full potential.”

Hungary coach Leonardo Lourenco Da Silva (left) attends a press conference with his players Artur Hajos and Bence Attila Streli (Photo credits: HVF)

Robert also spoke of his excitement for youth players, referencing this year’s FIVB U19 Beach Volleyball World Championships in China where the Hungarian U19 men’s team gained a Main Draw quota place thanks to Veress and Tari.

He stated: “We wanted to have a senior team that could set an example for the younger ones. What Hajos and Streli have achieved has set the bar high for Veress and Tari who are showing great potential.

Hungary’s junior team players Akos Veress and Bence Tari and their coach Izsak Soos pose with their bronze medals at the CEV Boys U18 European Championship (Photo credits: HVF)

With both the senior and junior teams determined to continue their success for many years, Robert declared his confidence in Hungarian volleyball continuing to claim podium places and solidifying itself as a key contender in Europe.

“Streli is only 23 while Veress and Tari will be turning 18 this year so age is still on their side. In four to five years, we hope to be regular participants in Euro BeachVolley, and from there we can start thinking of challenging for medals at that level” Robert claimed.