Anders Mol and Christian Sørum got their title defence of the European Beach Volleyball Championships underway ©Getty Images

Anders Mol and Christian Sørum got their title defence underway with a victory at the European Beach Volleyball Championships underway with a victory in Latvia.

The Norwegian duo, who earned the men's European crown last year and in 2018, triumphed 21-13, 26-24 against Alexander Huber and Christoph Dressler of Poland. 

Mol and Sørum are playing in Pool A at the event in Jūrmala.

In Pool B, reigning world champions Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy also got off to a good start.

The Russians eased past home favourites Ardis Bedritis and Arnis Relins 21-15, 21-15. 

Germany's Clemens Wickler and Julius Thole, world silver medallists, won 21-11, 21-13 against Mihails Samoilovs and Aleksandrs Solovejs of Latvia. 

Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Margareta Kozuch won at the European Beach Volleyball Championships for a second time ©Getty Images
Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Margareta Kozuch won at the European Beach Volleyball Championships for a second time ©Getty Images

The women's competition also continued today, with German Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Margareta Kozuch achieving their second successive win of the tournament. 

They comfortably beat Michaela Kubickova and Michaela Kubíčková of the Czech Republic 21-12, 21-12.

A series of measures designed to protect players and other participants from COVID-19 are in operation at the competition, which concludes on Sunday (September 20).

Latvia's defending champions Tina Graudina and Anastasija Kravčenoka won again to make it two wins from two, although were taken to three sets.