Hölting Nilsson_Andersson, E vs. Rotar_Gauthier-Rat - Beach World Championships 2025 _ Highlights

In these World Championship semifinals, three at 21 years old and younger. Here, they were battling in qualifiers of challenge events, and that has completely shifted as they have finished this year with three medals coming up. That's quarterfinal. First point, Sweden. Starting up here, I mean, France in white, Sweden in blue. Good timing there on the touch from Holtik Nielsen. Elmer, a little over the shoulder dig. A little chip to the line. That one's going to drop. It's been the defense of Elmer Anderson that has improved so very much from when they made that final. Speaking of defense, how about a little backhand flipper from Elmer by that one into the block. No coverage for Sweden. Teo Rotar's clutch blocking is the reason that France is here. It was. Speaking of going for it, how about a little corner pocket ace for Holtik Nielsen? Wow. Corner pocket. As this match progresses, they'll keep it on. Gautier Rock. Oh, and into the hands, and it's a perfect clamp there for Holtik Nielsen. Yep, you know what you're doing. Serve Gautier. You got your game plan, coach. You might have questioned on. See if France adjust their defensive schemes here to handle some of the shots from Elmer. First things first, got to side out. And it's not going to come. The spread block for Holtik Nielsen is nasty. Wow. And I love how Holtik Nielsen, he starts narrow. That's being a problem. First option there for France, and it's Rotar going to smack it down. Very in control of that first contact throughout this tournament. That's why they're here. It's going to be an ace for France as now they're down just three. Good patience, Rotar. But it's not enough as Elmer Anderson, excellent response, and he pounds one. The adaption of blockers with this lateral movement, hands high. Chip line, that's a good touch. Gautier Rock, Holtik Nielsen playing a little bit of defense. Chance here, that one's going to score. Gautier Rock is going to have a look at Huber. He doesn't like the set, but they're going to be no call. They're letting the boys play, which I prefer on this stage. Arnaud going to power one through, and a little bit of a split block leaves them earning a point on France since. Elmer cross court, and I don't know how that gets around Rotar there, but somehow it finds the sand. That's the second swing. 19-15. Sweden inching closer to this first set victory. Lefty paddle dig from Elmer. Chance to transition up the middle. Nice touch from Rotar. Oh, Rotar just hanging, hanging, hanging. Sees the movement, and it's the calmest over angle. The technical soundness of that play from Teo hits it whether or not. Trouble here for Sweden. Oh, and Gautier Rock trying to keep that one in play. Huge side out for Sweden. And now it's Sweden that's been a little bit out of control, as France has taken control of this set. Now, they're down four set points. Might be a bit of a, they've flipped the trajectory of this match. Gautier Rock, he's going to chip line. Elmer is there. It's a little bit tight, and it's a easy dunk down for Rotar. Set point for Sweden. It's an overpass for Gautier Rock. He made the right read. It's just too much to handle, and Sweden hold on. Takes set number one, 21-18 over France. Chip to the line. It's going to be long. That one has to go high over Holtz and Gnielsen already three blocks from France and quite a bit. And they started out that first set with a couple errors. Again, start the second with one. Jump set. Open net. Oh, what a touch from Elmer to slide in there. But there's a look at the jump setting capabilities of France. The only team left that really doesn't use the jump set. And we also have the options. And Holtz and Gnielsen, he's one of the most efficient option players. Expect more of that. He's hit a couple of corners already. That one has got a bit more spice to it. All right. Good lift. Gautier Rock covers himself. And unfortunately, Rotar mishandles that one. And might as well count it as a block for Holtz and Gnielsen. Holtz and Gnielsen's ability to have independent hands at the net is astonishing. Watch, he reaches in the angle and then that big reach. Right back to Gautier Rock. Oh, Gautier Rock. Little slimy line swing there under the block. Run through here for Rotar. Play at the net. Good recover. From Gautier Rock. And then there is the wizardry of Elmer Gautier Rock. Running out of shots, running out of room. No problem. He'll find the corner. Nice set there. Holtz and Gnielsen trying to go back to the line. And Teo Rotar gets his miss on that block. That's the first block for Teo in this one. Oh, and make it two in a row for Rotar. He's going to put him up 6'5". Oh, and that one will sneak underneath. Rotar thought he had the trifecta. Sweet and tie things back up. That option is going to be covered. Oh, and Gautier Rock bringing a little sizzle on that swing. Gautier Rock to his sideline. And another soft shot from Gautier Rock. He's looking for a little love from this French crowd. And there's been a solid French contingent of fans here. Really fun. Teo is going to fake ahead in front and go behind. And just enough movement for fading away. Rotar playing that tight ball. Elmer, look at that touch with the left. Elmer in transition. A little defense pick up. Rotar, another touch here. Elmer, best rally of this match. Trying to go back to the line. Rotar shutting it down. In transition, just get a block. Oh, casual one-handed dig there from Arnaud Gautier Rock. Elmer, just going high hands through the wickets. Nicely. Oh, good, sneaky option. He holds the hands up there looking like he's going to set and then just taps it over with the right. That's it. Elmer right in the lap. But it's a tight ball, and Rotar hanging and banging cross-court. Now Gautier Rock getting his hands on everything right now. So is Rotar. Quick play for France that gives Elmer time. Into the lap. Gautier Rock. Oh, look at that. Just sliming it down the line is Gautier Rock. Good vision. Gautier Rock, as calm as can be, goes up, just taking in all that information, picking his spots perfect. Ice, you could say, in the veins for the Iceman. Chip Engel, finally. France find the sand. Smart shot from Gautier Rock. Do they have it again? Big swing here for Elmer out of the middle. And Elmer goes straight ahead for the kill. It's a tough serve again from Sweden. Oh, and it's trouble for France. It's going to be an ace, this time from Elmer. In World Champs history. Jump set. Patience from Elmer. Elmer in transition. What a pickup. Gautier Rock from the left. Oh, and Gautier Rock says, we're not done just yet. Gautier saving their championships hopes. Second match point for Sweden. Chance for the gold medal match. They, Sweden, make history here in Adelaide. The youngest squad ever moving on are unbelievable.