Latvia Makes History in Adelaide
Adelaide, Australia – Latvia has etched its name into the annals of beach volleyball history, as the formidable duo of Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova clinched the country's first-ever FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship title. The pair triumphed over the United States' Kristen Nuss and Taryn Brasher in a hard-fought three-set final (21-15, 15-21, 15-11) on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 'The Drive' in Adelaide.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Latvia, representing their inaugural World Championship podium finish in either men's or women's beach volleyball.
A Decisive Three-Set Battle
The gold medal showdown was a captivating display of skill and resilience. Fifth-seeded Graudina and Samoilova, both two-time Latvian Olympians, faced a challenging opponent in the third-seeded American pair.
The Latvians secured the first set with a score of 21-15. However, Nuss and Brasher rallied in the second set, capitalizing on unforced errors to win 21-15 and force a decider. In the crucial third set, Graudina and Samoilova regained their composure, ultimately closing out the match 15-11.
Anastasija Samoilova, a 28-year-old defender, was the top scorer in the final with a total of 26 points, including three aces. Her partner, Tina Graudina, a 27-year-old blocker, contributed another 21 points, featuring two aces and a kill block. For the American side, Taryn Brasher also scored 21 points, with three blocks and an ace, while Kristen Nuss added 13 points.
Reflecting on the win, an emotional Tina Graudina told VBTV, 'I can't believe it! The game was so close. We constantly lost to them all the times that we had played. But today everything happened as we wanted. It's amazing!'
Dominant Tournament Run and Opponent's Pedigree
Throughout the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship 2025, Graudina and Samoilova showcased remarkable consistency, dropping only a single set across their eight matches played in Australia. Their path to the final included a decisive 2-0 (21-10, 21-16) victory over top-seeded Brazilians Thamela Coradello and Victoria Lopes in the semifinals.
The American duo of Kristen Nuss and Taryn Brasher earned their second consecutive World Championship medal, having previously secured a bronze in 2023. They had a strong season leading up to the World Championships, winning three of 11 top-level tournaments on the Pro Beach Tour.
Investment in Success
Latvia's ascent in beach volleyball has been significantly bolstered by strategic support from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme. The Volleyball Federation of Latvia (LVF) received USD 168,000 in Coach Support, aimed at enhancing the technical and tactical development of their national teams. The women's team is guided by Spanish coach Daniel Luis Wood Rodriguez, a testament to the structured investment in the sport's growth within the country.
5 Comments
Noir Black
Another sport where US dominance is fading. We need to step up our game.
Eugene Alta
Latvia's consistency throughout the tournament was remarkable, dropping only one set before the final. Yet, the final match itself was a nail-biter, proving that any team can be pushed to their limits on the big stage.
KittyKat
A three-set match means it wasn't exactly a dominant performance. Too close for comfort.
Leonardo
Beach volleyball still struggles for mainstream appeal. This won't change much.
Raphael
So deserved! Graudina and Samoilova are true champions.