TUI Magic Life Candia Maris hosted the Nations Cup

With the backdrop of Heraklion and bringing with it the air of international events, the Nations Cup Beach Volley 2025 was completed with absolute success from 16 to 18 May, hosted by TUI Magic Life Candia Maris, a member of the Metaxa Hospitality Group. The top beach volleyball event was an impressive display of high-level sportsmanship, spectacle, and team spirit, winning the hearts of the audience, athletes, and organizations.

The elite of beach volleyball in Amoudara

For three days, Heraklion was transformed into a point of reference for beach volleyball fans. National teams from six countries participated in the event, highlighting the Nations Cup as a special and different event that stands out from the classic tournaments. Men's teams from the Netherlands, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Greece, as well as women's teams from Poland, Estonia and Greece, put together the puzzle of the games, offering spectators from all over Europe a spectacle of high standards.

The public had free access to the tournament, with the stands filled with fans of the sport, while the event was broadcast live on the Action24 channel on YouTube, expanding its international appeal.

Strong Greek presence, European protagonists

The Greek Men's National Team impressed with its performance, reaching second place thanks to the performances of Kola, Sideri, Dalla, and Hatzinikolaou. The qualification for the grand final in July in Espinho, Portugal, was secured by the mighty Netherlands, which recorded only victories.

In the women's category, Estonia dominated with the teams of Kuivonen, Jurgensson, Holas, and Remelg, leaving Poland in second and Greece in third, confirming the rise of the Baltic country on the European beach volleyball map.

The Nations Cup system strengthened the spirit of teamwork, with each country represented by two pairs competing as a single unit. Strategy and cohesion between the athletes were decisive factors for the final distinction.

Crete as a model of sports tourism

The successful hosting of the Nations Cup confirms the potential of Crete as an emerging sports tourism hub. TUI Magic Life Candia Maris did not function simply as a venue, but as an active factor in upgrading the experience for athletes and spectators. As stated by the hotel’s General Manager, Serafim Karouzakis, “the event is fully aligned with the hotel’s philosophy, which consistently invests in the well-being and activity of its guests.”

The success of the event is part of a broader strategic development framework. Crete will host two more international beach volleyball tournaments in November 2025, including the long-awaited Marathon tournament, establishing Ammoudara as a leading sports destination in Northern Crete.

Statements with substance

The President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation (E.O.P.E.), Mr. Giorgos Karambetsos, described the event as “the ideal start for the rich competition calendar of 2025,” noting the importance of the project for the promotion of the sport in Greece and Europe. “Crete has proven that it has the infrastructure, hospitality, and organizational capacity to host high-level international events,” he emphasized.

Collaborations that made a difference

The Nations Cup Beach Volley 2025 was organized under the auspices of the European Volleyball Confederation (C.E.V.) and the Ministry of Tourism, with the co-organization of the Region of Crete, the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, the Municipality of Malevizio, and the Metaxa Hospitality Group. TUI Magic Life Candia Maris assumed the role of Official Hospitality Sponsor, offering top-level hospitality to athletes and missions.

At the same time, supporting roles were played by important organizations and businesses, such as SIXT (Premium Mobility Partner), Kosmos Travel (Official Travel Agent Sponsor), Dandalis, KORRES, Kritikos Komvos, Siganos Wine & Spirits, Chalkiadakis, Selinari, and others, while the television and technical production was undertaken by ActiveMedia Group.

A model for hosting the future

The success of the Nations Cup in Heraklion points the way for Greece to establish its place on the global map of sporting events. With local stakeholders, private initiative, and international sports organizations working together harmoniously, the result can be groundbreaking and promising — not only for the sport but also for the economy and tourism.

Crete, once again, has not only proven that it can. It has proven that it is already there.

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