Paris 2024 beach volleyball: All results, as Sweden’s David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig make history with gold under the Eiffel Tower

David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden claimed victory in the men’s beach volleyball gold-medal match on Saturday, 10 August, defeating Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler of Germany to claim the gold medal under the Eiffel Tower at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Ahman/Hellvig won the gold-medal match in emphatic fashion, sweeping Ehlers/Wickler 2-0 (21-10, 21-13) in straight sets. It was the first gold medal ever for Sweden in beach volleyball at the Olympic Games.

"It's just unbelievable,” said Ahman. “We played our hearts out, and it worked so well. We were so focused.

“We didn't even really look at the score, it was just next point, we've got to score. When we got the last point in, I couldn't believe it."

It was a sensational show under the most iconic landmark in Paris. With the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower outshined only by the play of Ahman/Hellvig on the court.

The pair got off to an ideal start during the gold-medal match, winning the first three points over Ehlers/Wickler. The German pair quickly rebounded from their early mistakes, but were no match for the leaping and diving Swedes.

Ahman/Hellvig controlled play at the net, soaring over Ehlers/Wickler to block shots and deliver breathtaking spikes.

It was a show of force from the Swedes, who dared Ehlers/Wickler to challenge their supremacy at the net. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Ahman/Hellvig could dig nearly every attack, or save almost every scoring opportunity, forcing the Germans to fight for every point in the match.

The crowd certainly appreciated the acrobatic and physical nature of the match, cheering, gasping and applauding during every point to create an unforgettable atmosphere at the Eiffel Tower Stadium.

"We were really focused before this game,” said Hellvig. “We got a really good start, and everything just worked. I don't believe how we played so well.”

Ehlers/Wickler never found their groove, and left the court disappointed with their performance in the gold-medal match.

“Right now it is hard to be proud. I’m very frustrated that we can’t show our level,” said Ehlers. “Maybe in a few minutes I can be happy with the silver medal.”

Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Soerum were more pleased with their bronze medals, especially after a tough loss in the semi-finals kept them from defending the title they had won at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

“It’s huge — this was the goal, to be able to come back here and compete for the medals,” said Mol. “We knew it was going to be tough, but I think we managed it really well.

“We tried not to put too much pressure on ourselves, but we knew we had the level to perform amongst the best in the world. I'm really proud. It keeps us motivated for LA 28.”

They overcame a spirited challenge from Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in the bronze-medal match, winning the duel 2-0 (21-13, 21-16) in straight sets.

“The dream was for sure to play this next match, play for gold but, yeah, now we had to reset and refocus,” said Mol. “Standing here with the bronze medal is something I’m really, really proud of and very, very happy.”

He and Soerum joined Ehlers/Wickler and Ahman/Hellvig on the podium after 15 days of intense matches and thrilling points. Norway’s Soerum summed up the magic of Eiffel Tower Stadium, sayng, “I’ve never played in a better stadium ever and it’s going to be in our memories forever.”

High praise from a now two-time Olympic medallist.

Beach volleyball: Men’s podium

Gold: David Ahman/Jonatan Hellvig, Sweden

Silver: Nils Ehlers/Clemens Wickler, Germany

Bronze: Anders Mol/Christian Soerum, Norway

See all the results on Olympics.com.