Lippmann and Bock continue to rise with Baden Challenge gold
The Germans defeated Dutch Konink and Schoon in the final in Austria to secure their first title as partners.
Bock and Lippmann won their first title in just their sixth event as partners (Photo: Florian Schroetter/Beach Volleyball Baden)
A new team on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour in 2025, Germans Louisa Lippmann and Linda Bock continued to climb the international beach volleyball ladder this weekend, earning their first title as partners at the Baden Challenge on Saturday.
The former volleyball players topped the podium at the conclusion of the women’s tournament at the Thermalstrandbad Baden, joined by second-placed Dutch Mila Konink and Raisa Schoon and third-placed Ukrainians Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil.
Watch Beach Pro Tour Baden Challenge replays on VBTV
Playing their second final in six Beach Pro Tour events as partners, the Germans produced a massive comeback to win set one, triumphing after being down 20-18, and were always in control after that to take the gold medal match against Konink and Schoon in straight sets, 2-0 (22-20, 21-9).
“The first set was really tough,” Bock said. “We were always behind, but then at one point we got them with good serves. The sun was making it very difficult to pass in certain positions, and I thought we used it well. In the second set, we just went all in, and we did it.”
The team was formed at the start of the 2025 season, after the legendary Laura Ludwig, with whom Lippmann competed at last year’s Paris Olympics, retired. Lippmann and Bock made it to the final for the first time at the State Jablonki Challenge, in June, but had to settle for silver on the occasion.
“Linda did an amazing job of putting the Dutch under pressure,” Lippmann added. “The Dutch served really well, and I am very proud of Linda because she handled it perfectly. It is our first gold medal together, and I am very proud of our team.”
Ukrainians take bronze
A few hours before the gold medal match, Davidova and Khmil won their first medal on a Beach Pro Tour Challenge event by taking down Finnish Niina Ahtiainen and Taru Lahti in straight sets, 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) in the bronze medal match to finish third.
Photo credit: volleyballworld.com
