Baden, Vilnius to host beach volleyball this summer

GENEVA - World volleyball governing body the FIVB and the European Volleyball Confederation confirmed on Tuesday that the Austrian city of Baden and Lithuania's capital Vilnius will host one-star beach volleyball events in late summer.

According to the FIVB, the Strandbad venue in Baden is one of Austria's most popular destinations for beach volleyball teams and has been home to several prestigious international competitions over the past decade.

The Baden one-star event will take place almost two and a half weeks after the completion of the one-star World Tour stop in Ljubljana, Slovenia, as the FIVB aims to ensure a safe return of beach volleyball events.

"In Austria, beach volleyball has led the way for the return of competitive sport following a period of quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said the FIVB.

"The organizers in Baden will take the necessary precautions and adhere to relevant hygiene protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of every single player, official and fan," it added.

Meanwhile, the Lithuanian Volleyball Federation (LTF) has confirmed the cancelation of a two-star women's event scheduled for late August in Klaipeda.

However, in an effort to provide opportunities for players to compete, the LTF has confirmed plans to organise a one-star men's and women's event from September 10 to 13 in Vilnius. This will mark the return of international competitions to the Lithuanian capital after the reopening of a fully refurbished Beach Volleyball Center in late June.