High-class duels and emotional farewells created an electric atmosphere at Timmendorfer Strand. Ehlers/Wickler and Müller/Tillmann crowned themselves German champions for the third time, completing their title hat-trick.
For Nils Ehlers and Clemens Wickler, the tournament at Timmendorfer Strand was another highlight in their already successful season. For the third consecutive time, the duo secured the championship title, winning 2:1 (21:15, 21:14) against surprise finalists Philipp Huster and Lui Wüst. Following an outstanding season in which they won silver medals at both the Paris Olympics and the European Championship in The Hague, they now added a well-deserved gold medal at home. Max Just and Robin Sowa claimed third place, decisively defeating Erdmann/Zemljak with scores of 21:14 and 22:20, capping off their strong performance in the tournament.
With this victory, Clemens Wickler celebrated his seventh overall title at the German Championships, making him one of the most successful male players in the tournament’s history. For Nils Ehlers, who has steadily matured alongside Wickler in recent years, this triumph was a testament to his continuous development into one of the best blockers both nationally and internationally.
In the women’s competition, Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann also demonstrated their dominance on home soil for the third consecutive time. The reigning European champions defeated the strong duo of Laura Ludwig and Luisa Lippmann in just two sets (21:15, 21:18). Sandra Ittlinger and Kim van de Velde secured third place with a convincing two-set victory (21:19, 21:15) against Borger/Kunst, showcasing their class.
Beyond the sporting achievements, there were also three emotional farewells: Laura Ludwig, Kira Walkenhorst, and Isabel Schneider ended their illustrious careers at Timmendorfer Strand. Kira Walkenhorst and Laura Ludwig, who dominated the beach volleyball world together for years, bid farewell to the big stage. With Olympic gold in 2016, a world championship title in 2017, and two European championships (2015 and 2016), they made history and shaped an era in international beach volleyball. Their legacy will remain unforgettable in the sport, inspiring future generations. Isabel Schneider, known for her versatility and perseverance, also retired. She celebrated numerous national successes and was a key figure in the German team. Her retirement marks the end of another era, but her passion and dedication will resonate within the German beach volleyball community for years to come.
