Norwegian beach volleyball duo Anders Mol and Christian S酶rum took Gold in the Tokyo Olympics.
Anders Mol and Christian S酶rum took beach volleyball Gold for Norway, beating the Russian representatives (ROC) by 21-17, 21-18 in the early hours of Saturday morning.
It鈥檚 a fantastic achievement for the duo from a country not exactly known for its beach volleyball performances, despite Norway鈥檚 excellent beaches!
It鈥檚 Norway鈥檚 third Gold of Tokyo 2020 so far, following Kristian Blummenfelt鈥檚 triathlon win and the record-breaking run in the 400 metre hurdles from Karsten Warholm.
A dream final
Media had billed this final as featuring the world鈥檚 four best beach volleyball players, and it did not disappoint.
The ROC players took an early four-point lead, but the Norwegians soon found their form. Mol and S酶rum eventually won out 21-17, 21-18, after the Russians served into the net.
An injury to Vyacheslav Krasilnikov no doubt played a part as the game progressed. Yet after the injury, the Norwegians to serve against the other player, showing what the Olympic spirit is all about.
Assistant coach Jetmund Berntsen told that the boys had played their best match of the tournament, adding that 鈥渢he boys are just so calm.聽I do not understand what they are made of.鈥�
Norway鈥檚 prime minister was quick to congratulate the duo : 鈥淐ongratulations to Anders Mol and Christian S酶rum on Norway's first Olympic gold in beach volleyball! A fantastic achievement.鈥�
The best in the world
Of all the countries you might expect to lead the world in beach volleyball, Norway is unlikely to be the one!
Yet Mol and S酶rum have turned heads in the last few years, gradually rising through the ranks to become the number one ranked duo in the men鈥檚 game.
鈥淭he young Norwegians鈥� run these past three years has been one without precedent in beach volleyball,鈥� explained .
Norway: not just winter sports!
Norway鈥檚 dominance at recent Winter Olympic Games is well known. But the country wins far fewer medals at the Summer Games.
So, despite Mol and S酶rum鈥檚 reputation, casual observers of the Olympics would still be surprised to see Norway claiming Gold in a sport involving a beach. The Norwegians take it all in good spirits though.
Andres Mol totally understands why some people may be surprised to see Norwegians doing so well in such a sport. 鈥淲e have a medal in the Olympics and we鈥檙e frickin鈥� Norwegians,鈥� laughed Mol after the duo clinched their spot in the final by beating Latvia.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not supposed to take gold in beach volleyball. We鈥檙e supposed to ski, you know? But now we鈥檙e so proud. … And this is really a victory for the whole Norwegian volleyball community,鈥� he added.
Family support in Tokyo
Many athletes at the Olympics have missed having their family on hand to support them through the games. But Anders Mol had both his father and uncle in Tokyo. Mol鈥檚 father K氓re is his coach, while his uncle is also in the training team.
Mol's parents are former volleyball champions and S酶rum's parents met on a volleyball court when playing for fun.
