The sixth competitive day of EuroVolley 2026 for women offered two full comebacks, important results in the battle for the eliminations, and a final decision for first place in one of the groups. Bulgaria escaped from 0:2 against Austria and kept their chances for the round of 16, while Slovenia did the same against Latvia. Turkey, Serbia, and Belgium continued without a loss, Italy secured first place in Group D, and Portugal achieved its first victory in the championship.
Austria – Bulgaria 2:3 (26:24, 25:15, 15:25, 16:25, 4:15)
Bulgaria made an impressive comeback in Brno and remained in the battle for a place among the top 16. Austria, which returned to a European Championship after a 55-year absence, played strong first two sets and took a 2:0 lead. In the first set, our national team had a 22:20 lead, but the opponent turned it around to 26:24, and in the second, the Austrians dominated and won 25:15.
Bulgaria's reaction was decisive. With Alexandra Milanova serving, our team took a 9:1 lead in the third set, the run also included two aces, and Maria Krivoshiyska scored seven points in that part. Bulgaria took the set 25:15, and then equalized after 25:16. In the tie-break, our team gave Austria no chances and won it 15:4.
Iva Dudova was the top scorer for Bulgaria with 23 points – 19 from attack, 3 blocks, and 1 ace. Alexandra Milanova and Maria Krivoshiyska added 17 each. The most points in the entire match were scored by Austrian Kora Schaberl – 26. The official CEV protocol also confirms Krivoshiyska's strong performance – 11 successful attacks from 15 attempts, 3 aces, and 3 blocks.
Serbia – Greece 3:0 (25:22, 25:13, 25:18)
Serbia maintained its perfect balance in Group B and reached its fourth victory in four matches. Greece offered the most serious resistance in the first set. Serbia took a 5:0 lead and subsequently 22:15, but the Greeks reduced their deficit before Tijana Bošković ended the set at 25:22.
In the second set, the score remained tied until 6:6, after which the Serbians gradually asserted their superiority and won 25:13. Greece took a 9:8 lead in the third, but Serbia again took the initiative and closed the match with 25:18.
Bošković finished with 20 points – 17 from attack, 1 block, and 2 aces. Aleksandra Uzelac and Hena Kurtagić added 12 each, with Kurtagić recording an impressive 7 blocks. Marta Anthouli was the top scorer for Greece with 12 points.
Slovenia – Latvia 3:2 (23:25, 19:25, 25:15, 25:13, 15:12)
The second full comeback of the day came in Istanbul. Latvia took a 2:0 lead after 25:23 and 25:19 and seemed close to their first victory in the group. However, Slovenia completely changed the course of the match after the initial two sets.
The Slovenians won the third set 25:15 and equalized after an even more convincing 25:13 in the fourth. The drama continued in the tie-break, but Slovenia managed to complete the comeback with 15:12.
Maša Pucelj finished with 20 points for the winners, Saša Planinšec added 16, Lorena Lorber Fijok – 14, and Fatoumatta Sillah – 13. Paula Nikola Neciporuka was the top scorer for Latvia with 20 points.
Germany – Turkey 1:3 (21:25, 27:25, 20:25, 19:25)
In front of 15,713 spectators in Istanbul, European champion Turkey achieved its fourth victory in Group A. Germany, however, offered serious resistance and managed to take one set from the hosts.
The second set was particularly dramatic. Turkey led 23:18, but Germany made an impressive comeback and won 27:25. The Turks reacted immediately and took the next two sets 25:20 and 25:19 to close the match in four sets.
Melissa Vargas was the top scorer for the winners with 23 points, and Hande Baladın added 17. Lina Alsmeier finished with 18 for Germany, and Leana Grozer – with 15. Turkey continues undefeated after four matches played.
Spain – Portugal 1:3 (26:24, 23:25, 19:25, 20:25)
Portugal achieved its first victory at EuroVolley 2026 and kept its chances for fourth place in Group C. Spain started better and took a 17:11 lead in the first set. The Portuguese reached 23:23, but the Spanish still snatched the set 26:24.
In the second set, the roles were reversed and Portugal equalized after 25:23. With Spain leading 13:11 in the third, the Portuguese made an 8:1 run and took control of the match. The fourth set was tied until 16:16, after which Portugal again pulled away and closed the match at 25:20.
Ana Monteiro and Julia Kavalenka scored 19 points each for the winners, while Alice Clemente added 13. The top scorer in the match was the Spanish player Ana Escamilla with 22 points.
Belgium – Azerbaijan 3:0(25:19,25:22,25:23)
Belgium remained undefeated in Baku and inflicted the first defeat on the host Azerbaijan. The Belgians took an 8:3 lead in the first set and maintained control until 25:19. In the second, Azerbaijan managed to equalize at 22:22, but Belgium won the next three rallies for 25:22.
The third set was the most interesting. The hosts had an 18:10 lead and seemed close to extending the match, but Belgium made an impressive comeback and reached 25:23.
Britt Herbots was the top scorer in the match with 22 points. Belgium now has four wins from four matches and continues undefeated in Group C.
France – Italy 1:3(19:25,25:19,23:25,19:25)
Italy won the direct clash for first place in Group D and secured their top position. The Italians took the first set with 25:19, and France responded with the same result in the second.
The third set proved crucial. Italy snatched it with 25:23, then closed the match with 25:19 in the fourth and finished the group stage undefeated.
Paola Egonu finished with 20 points for Italy. With the victory, the world champions concluded the group stage with five wins from five matches and 15 points and will await the fourth-placed team from Group B in the round of 16.
Slovakia – Montenegro 3:0(25:21,25:19,25:11)
Slovakia finished its participation in Group D with its first victory at the European Championship. Montenegro stayed close to their opponent in the first two sets, but the Slovakians did not allow the match to become dramatic.
Montenegro got close to 19:18 in the first set, but Slovakia closed it at 25:21. In the second, the Slovakians again gradually built a lead and won 25:19, and the third was entirely under their control – 25:11.
Karin Šunderlíková and Zuzana Šepeľová were the top scorers in the match with 18 points each. Slovakia finished the group stage with 1 win, 4 losses, and 5 points.
The victory over Austria kept Bulgaria in the fight for the round of 16 before the last day in Group B. Today, the last two matches are scheduled – Ukraine – Serbia at 16:00 and Czech Republic – Bulgaria at 19:00 in Brno.

photo:cev.eu