The second day of EuroVolley 2026 for women offered several dramatic matches and the first big surprise of the championship – Slovenia's emphatic victory over Germany. For Bulgaria, however, the most important thing happened in Brno, where Greece snatched a dramatic victory against Ukraine just a day before their match with our national team.
Group B
Greece – Ukraine 3:2(25:23,23:25,12:25,25:22,15:10)
Greece achieved its first victory in the championship after overcoming Ukraine in five sets. The match lasted 130 minutes and went through several complete turnarounds. The Greeks took the first set, and in the second, they led 16:12 and later 23:21. However, Ukraine made a series of five consecutive points and equalized after 25:23. This gave momentum to the Ukrainians, who literally swept their opponent in the third set – 25:12 with 65% attack efficiency.
At 1:2, Greece found the strength to return to the match. The main reason was Marta Antouli. The opposite hitter scored 7 points in the fourth set, won 25:22, and in the tie-break practically decided the match herself – 9 points, of which 7 successful attacks with 70% efficiency. Greece pulled ahead after 8:6 and closed the decisive set with 15:10.
Antouli finished with an impressive 28 points – 24 from attack, 2 aces, and 2 blocks. For Ukraine, Viktoriia Danchak, who came in as a substitute in the second set, scored 18 points.
Thus, Greece comes to today's match with Bulgaria after a tough five-set game. The victory, however, has certainly given the team confidence, and the performance of the 20-year-old and 202-centimeter tall Antouli clearly shows where the main danger for the Bulgarian block comes from.
Czech Republic – Austria 3:0(25:16,25:17,25:17)
In the other match of the group, host Czech Republic gave no chances to Austria. The Austrians started with 6:2, but the Czech Republic responded with five consecutive points and then controlled the match. Michaela Mlejnková finished with 13 points for the winners, and Magdalena Jehlářová added 9, including 4 blocks.
After yesterday's results, the Czech Republic is at the top of Group B with 2 wins and 6 points, followed by Serbia and Bulgaria with one win and 3 points each. Greece has one win and one loss and 2 points, Ukraine has 1 point after two defeats, and Austria has not yet won a set.

Group A
Germany – Slovenia 0:3(22:25,21:25,20:25)
Slovenia delivered the biggest surprise on the second day, after decisively defeating Germany. The Slovenians started strong and took a 7:1 lead in the first set. Germany gradually narrowed the gap, but their opponent remained calm at the end and closed the set 25:22. Slovenia continued their strong play in the second set, with stable blocking and defense, good organization, and Fatoumatta Sillah's powerful attack proving decisive for a 25:21 win.
Germany led for most of the third set, but Slovenia equalized at 16:16, and at 18:17, they took the lead for the first time. The Germans failed to stop the comeback, and the Slovenians finished the match 25:20. The big star was Sillah, who finished with 24 points.
Hungary – Poland 0:3(12:25,24:26,20:25)
Poland started their participation with a clean victory, but after a crushing first set, they met serious resistance. The Poles took a 13:5 lead in the second set, but allowed Hungary to come back and even take the lead at 23:22. In the decisive moments, the favorite's experience spoke volumes, and Poland snatched the set 26:24.
The Hungarians continued to fight in the third set, reaching 20:20. Then Poland made a run of five consecutive points and finished the match. Magdalena Stysiak finished with 15 points, Monika Lampkowska added 13, and Maja Koput – 12. The top scorer in the match was Hungarian Anett Nemeth with 22 points.
Group C
Belgium – Spain 3:2(25:15,18:25,23:25,25:17,15:8)
Belgium and Spain played the first five-set match of EuroVolley 2026. The Belgians dominated early and took the first set 25:15, but Spain changed their performance and after 25:18 and 25:23, achieved a full comeback for a 2:1 lead.
However, Belgium did not let the match slip away. Britt Herbots led her team to a 25:17 win in the fourth set, and in the tie-break, the Belgians started with a 3:0 lead and never relinquished the initiative – 15:8. Herbots and Spaniard Julia de Paula Viana both finished with 25 points, while Pauline Martin added 23 for Belgium. Lucia Varela Gomez scored 19 points for Spain, including 3 aces and 3 blocks.
Romania – Netherlands 2:3(21:25,28:26,15:25,25:22,9:15)
The second match in Baku also offered five sets. Romania led for most of the first set and had a 21:20 advantage, but the Netherlands won the next five rallies for 25:21. The Romanians responded with a dramatic 28:26 in the second set, after saving two set points from their opponent.
The Netherlands dominated the third set for 25:15, but Romania came back again and with 25:22 sent the match to a tie-break. There, the Dutch made no unforced errors and won 15:9. Elles Dambrink was the top scorer with 24 points, and Indy Baijens added 20 – 15 from attack with 63% success rate, 4 blocks, and 1 ace. For Romania, Ioana Baciu and Rodica Buterez finished with 19 and 18 points respectively.
Group D
Italy – Montenegro 3:0(25:13,25:20,25:19)
Italy continued without losing a set at EuroVolley, leaving no chances for Montenegro. The Italians asserted their superiority in the first set, won 25:13, and then controlled the match, closing the next two sets at 20 and 19 points respectively. Thus, Italy recorded their second consecutive 3:0 victory in the championship.
Slovakia - Sweden 2:3(22:25,16:25,25:14,25:22,6:15)
Sweden achieved a dramatic victory after five sets. The hosts seemed to have taken full control after 25:22 and 25:16 in the first two sets, but Slovakia responded decisively. The Slovaks won the third set with 25:14, and after 25:22 in the fourth, they equalized the score.
In the tie-break, Sweden once again imposed their will and left no chances for their opponent - 15:6. Isabelle Haak had an exceptional match and finished with 38 points, while her sister Anna Haak added 17.