Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

So Sweden became the world's best in beach volleyball

It started with an unconventional idea. It continued with two young men who were willing to test it. Six years later, Jonatan Hellvig and David Åhman are Olympic champions in beach volleyball.

» Updated: 03 October 2024, 17:55

» Published: 10 August 2024

So Sweden became the world's best in beach volleyball
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

It is hardly the Swedish beach volleyball traditions that lie behind the Olympic gold in Paris. But while the countries where the sport was invented and developed – such as the USA and Brazil – continued in old tracks, Sweden saw potential for improvement.

If by Sweden one means Anders Kristiansson and Rasmus Jonsson, the coaches behind the "Swedish jump set", the playing style that has made 22-year-olds David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig the world's best beach volleyball team.

I and Anders sat and brainstormed on how beach volleyball can be played in the future and how we could add an attacker against the opponent's only blocker, says Rasmus Jonsson.

Incredibly difficult to read

They came up with the idea that with a perfect serve reception, you can decide directly on the second ball instead of, as usual, passing once more.

Åhman was 14 years old when Jonsson discovered him. Two years later, in 2018, he found the perfect partner in Hellvig.

Since then, the duo has refined the "Swedish jump set" to near perfection.

When we push the ball further and can attack already on the second ball, we get two attackers against one blocker. That makes him have to choose whether he should block the second ball or go out and take the jump-pass in the air, says Jonsson.

Is the technique so good that you could have taught any players? No, answers Anders Kristiansson. Well, it could have worked with someone else, but Åhman and Hellvig are also unique.

Unusually short

Actually, they are too short for the world top – Hellvig is 194 cm tall, Åhman is 190 – but by submitting to the playing idea, they have been rewarded with double European Championship gold and World Championship silver. And now an Olympic gold medal.

We think that David is a bit special in his coordination and body awareness. If you have that, you can make many shots in many directions, says Kristiansson.

And Jonatan is very intelligent. He is KTH's best student, even though he puts 100 percent into beach volleyball. I have had thousands of players who do not understand, who need something very simple: Do this! But Jonatan understands physics and math, that's what sports are about.

How proud are you of having come up with this?

Rasmus Jonsson laughs briefly before answering:

Of course, you are super proud. At the same time, you wonder all the time how you can make this better.

Places
People
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Match Guide: Estonia-Sweden
2 MIN READ

Match Guide: Estonia-Sweden

Rasmus Andersson's solo raid led to victory
1 MIN READ

Rasmus Andersson's solo raid led to victory

Eriksson Ek out when Minnesota lost
1 MIN READ

Eriksson Ek out when Minnesota lost

Crushed Norway – after dream start and penalty
2 MIN READ

Crushed Norway – after dream start and penalty

England bounced back – won against Finland
1 MIN READ

England bounced back – won against Finland

Tomasson on Hien: "Devours attackers for breakfast"
3 MIN READ

Tomasson on Hien: "Devours attackers for breakfast"

The winning streak lives on – decided with seconds to spare
1 MIN READ

The winning streak lives on – decided with seconds to spare

Svensson's collapse – missed second win
1 MIN READ

Svensson's collapse – missed second win

New World Record in the Marathon: "It's My Dream"
1 MIN READ

New World Record in the Marathon: "It's My Dream"

The Talent Misses European Championship Meeting
1 MIN READ

The Talent Misses European Championship Meeting

Von Eckermann on the podium with new star horse
1 MIN READ

Von Eckermann on the podium with new star horse

The National Team Captain: "Sweden's Offense Impresses"
2 MIN READ

The National Team Captain: "Sweden's Offense Impresses"

Djokovic Missed Out on His 100th Title
1 MIN READ

Djokovic Missed Out on His 100th Title

Fined for filming: "A despicable behavior"
1 MIN READ

Fined for filming: "A despicable behavior"

Task: Apelgren confirmed as Solberg's replacement
1 MIN READ

Task: Apelgren confirmed as Solberg's replacement

Pochettino wins in USA debut
1 MIN READ

Pochettino wins in USA debut

After the Fatal Crash – Gaudreau Honored in Calgary
1 MIN READ

After the Fatal Crash – Gaudreau Honored in Calgary

Nylander scores two goals against Pittsburgh
1 MIN READ

Nylander scores two goals against Pittsburgh

After Two Wins – Denmark Lost to Spain
1 MIN READ

After Two Wins – Denmark Lost to Spain

The Nightmare – Defeat and the Captain Injured
2 MIN READ

The Nightmare – Defeat and the Captain Injured