Although they did not do well in the Apizaco group and had to worry about promotion after just one win in three matches, in the playoffs at nearby Tlaxcal they dominated all five matches, including duels with the two best teams in the world rankings.

On Sunday, after the final victory against the Swedish duo David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, they wrote golden letters in the history of Czech sport.

“At first the Swedes chose a weaker moment, then on the contrary they tightened up again. It was mentally the most difficult to keep the nerves under control, to push the idea of ​​​​being so close to the title of champion to the end. behind my head and to put an end to it,” Perušič said after the final, in which he avenged his defeat last year in the duel for European gold after winning 21:15 , 17:21, 15:13 against the young Swedes and top seeds in the doubles.

“I didn't come far from sending the well-played tiebreaker to the ground. Luckily we got them 15:13 with the loosening and tightening system. I'm looking forward to a well-deserved vacation,” said declared Schweiner, who ultimately resisted Swedish pressure.

After finishing third in the group, the Czech Republic kicked off the playoff battles with a victory over experienced Spanish duo Pablo Herrera and Adrián Gavira. After a clear victory over the Italians Daniel Lupo and Enrico Rossi, the men of Italian coach Andrea Tomatis unexpectedly beat the reigning champion and world number one Anders Molo and the Norwegian Christian Sörum, with whom they have a strong record negative.

In the semi-final against Americans Trevor Crabb and Theodore Brunner, the Czech No. 1s played the role of favorites.

“The tournament had three main moments. The first was already the first round of the playoffs against the Spaniards, when we turned on at the right time and played well. Then the quarter-final with Norway, which is objectively the best team in the country. the world, and beating them in such a tournament is something incredible. And finally the final against the Swedes, in which we endured a very difficult ending,” Perušič estimated.

“When you beat two of the best teams in the world at the World Cup, it’s an unforgettable experience,” added the 29-year-old fleece wearer.

Thanks to their triumph, the Prague beach volleyball players were the only ones in the tournament to win a participation in the Paris Olympic Games. After them, they plan to end the great career they started together seven years ago.

“Considering this is our last World Cup which we won 99.9 percent, I think it’s a great ending,” Schweiner said.

Plans for the rest of the season, in which despite the long break caused by Perušič's abdominal muscle injury they also dominated the elite tournaments in Uberlandia and Paris, remain to be decided. At stake is in particular the start of the last Pro Tour Elite in Brazil at the end of November.

“It makes sense to go there and not go there. We probably have to have some fun with the coaches now, I think they probably expected this kind of success as little as we did, so it's new for them too. We will probably celebrate now, and then we will plan the rest of the season,” said Perušič.

“We all know it doesn't take long to party after a demanding schedule and poor sleep. But either way, we'll treat ourselves to some Mexican food here and party on the plane on the way of returning to Prague,” Schweiner said.