With both having pairs in all four finals, the battle was on to see who could come up with the goods when the pressure was really on.
As it happened, both did, with each country taking two gold medals and having to settle for two silvers too in what were terrific games to end a great three days where 115 matches were contested – all streamed live on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel.
England drew first blood in the finals fight as London-based Alice Jagielska and Molly Quinn, from Devon, overcame Tiri Skojld and Maren Våge in straight sets.
The home pair had lost to the Norwegians in the pool stages in three sets but, this time, played the windy conditions superbly to run out convincing straight sets winners, 21-14, 21-12.
“We came across Norway earlier in the tournament and lost 2-1, so to come back and win this time was great,” said Jagielska.
Quinn added: “I think the key for us today with the wind picking up was to keep the ball low and have a bit more control.”
England tasted another victory in the Men’s U18 category, where the little and large combination of Bailey Harsum and Lewis Bunton won out against Norwegians Mathias Smørholm and David Stenberg.
With Harsum blocking with authority and Bunton buzzing around the backcourt, they were able to maintain their unbeaten record throughout the three days – dropping just one set in the process – to run out 21-19, 21-17 victors.
“We were out of our comfort zone (with the tricky conditions), so it was very pleasing to come through in the end,” said Harsum.
Bunton added: “We’re very proud to stay unbeaten, especially as this is our first tournament together and we’re looking forward to playing in the CEV (in July).
However, it was one back for Norway in the Women’s U20 final as Tale Fosseli and Solveig Sunde turned the tables on their previously beaten English opponents, who had defeated them in the pool stages.
Back in Tuesday’s first game for both pairs Maia Darling and Anja Erminio had won in straight sets, but this time it was the Scandinavians who prevailed in two, winning 21-13, 21-12.
“We hadn’t played together before we knew about this Championships, and we had only played together for about four weeks in total, but it looks like it paid off!” said Sunde.
Fosseli added: “We knew more about the game our opponents would be playing this time and also we played better.”
And the talented duo of Jonah Kjemperud and Eskil Engås followed suit to make it another win for the Norwegians as they powered to a 21-17, 21-16 triumph.
The visiting team had to call a medical timeout at 5-5 in the second set, but did not let that affect them as their all-round excellence still saw them finish the week unbeaten.
“It was hard in the wind, but we managed to play smart and we’re happy with the win in the end,” said Engås. “We’ve really enjoyed the week.
Kjemperud added: “They were a hard team to play against, so we were delighted to get the win.”
Earlier, the bronze medal matches had seen some terrific volleyball played and Iceland were rewarded for their excellent efforts over the three days of competition with a bronze medal for Heba Stefánsdóttir and Helena Einarsdóttir.
They claimed a place on the third step of the podium with a 21-14, 21-10 success in the Women’s U20 category after seeing off the challenge of England’s Heidi Bright and Katie Touhey.
The Women’s U18 bronze was secured by Swedish pairing, Ebba Welander and Ellen Källströmer, who picked themselves up from semi-final defeat to Quinn and Jagielska to see off England’s Anna Szentessy and Tilly Hutton 21-15, 21-19.
It was an all-England affair in the race for the Men’s U20 bronze and it produced a highly entertaining tussle between Ollie Tuck and George Ruddick and Harry Brett and Thomas Lycett.
The former were, crucially, able to edge to the first set 23-21 and that gave them the momentum to take the second more comfortably by a 21-13 margin.
In the Men’s U18 bronze medal match, again contested by two England pairings, it was Josh Sturland and Stuart Perry who came through a three-setter 21-16, 20-22, 15-10 against Maks Makowski and Josh Cosgrove.
Event Director, Rob Payne, was delighted with the way the competition ran overall and said: “I would like to than East Riding of Yorkshire Council for their superb support of the event, both financial and in terms of infrastructure, as well as providing a fantastic beach for us.
“I would like to say a big thank you to Skyball Volleyball Club who have done a great job of maintaining this facility and have provided a great team of volunteers who have made a brilliant contribution.
“I’d also like to thank all the players, coaches, officials, volunteers and Volleyball England staff for their efforts. It’s great to see players here from seven different federations and we’d like to thank them all for sending teams to play.”
Images by Jon Cornish
Click here to view the final standings.
Watch all the matches back on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel by clicking here.
