The penultimate day of the EuroVolley 2026 women's group stage brought several important outcomes. Serbia finished their participation in Group B with five wins from five matches, Belgium also remained undefeated and won Group C, and Portugal achieved a historic success, qualifying for the first time among the top 16 teams on the continent. France won the direct contest against Sweden for second place in Group D, Croatia secured fourth position, and Latvia emotionally concluded their participation with a dramatic victory over Hungary.
Poland – Germany 3:0(25:19,25:23,26:24)
Poland continued without error and reached a fourth victory in Istanbul, with Magdalena Stysiak once again being the main figure. Germany started excellently and led 16:11 in the first set, but the Poles won 14 of the next 17 rallies and turned it around to 25:19. The second set went point for point before Poland closed it at 25:23, and in the third, the Germans saved three consecutive match points, but Stysiak ended the match at 26:24. The opposite hitter finished with 25 points, Martyna Czyrniańska added 10, while for Germany, Lina Alsmeier scored 13, and Leana Grozer – 12 points. This was Poland's 11th consecutive official victory over Germany. The success left the Poles with four wins from four matches before the direct clash with Turkey for first place in Group A.
Latvia – Hungary 3:2(25:22,18:25,21:25,33:31,15:13)
One of the most dramatic matches of the day brought Latvia's first victory since its return to European finals for the first time since 1997. The Latvians took the first set, but Hungary turned the tide and led 2:1. The culmination came in the fourth set. Latvia squandered a 13:6 lead, and Hungary had opportunities to close the match but failed to convert six match points. The Latvians survived and snatched the set 33:31, and in the decisive set, they reached 15:13. Anett Németh scored an impressive 34 points for Hungary, but Marta Kamelija Levinska responded with 33 for the winners. Paula Nikola Nečiporuka added 20 points for Latvia.
Ukraine – Serbia 0:3(21:25,22:25,21:25)
Serbia finished Group B just as they went through it – without losing a match. Ukraine still had a chance to advance and put up serious resistance, but the Serbians were more stable in crucial moments. In the first set, the Ukrainians equalized at 19:19, before Aleksandra Uzelac and Branka Tica restored Serbia's control. A similar scenario was repeated in the other two sets. Uzelac finished as the top scorer with 22 points – 17 from attack, 3 blocks, and 2 aces. Tica added 12, and Oleksandra Milenko was the top scorer for Ukraine with 18 points. Serbia's fifth consecutive victory definitively deprived Ukraine of a chance for fourth place, and even before their last match, Bulgaria was already assured of the round of 16.
Czech Republic – Bulgaria 3:0(28:26,25:19,25:19)
Bulgaria was just one point away from taking the lead in the match but missed an excellent opportunity in the first set. Our national team led 16:8 and subsequently had four set points, but the Czech Republic stayed in the game and made a comeback to 28:26. This changed the direction of the match. In the second set, the hosts pulled ahead to 17:8 and won it 25:19, and in the third, they gradually pulled away and closed the match with the same score. Monika Brancuska was the top scorer for the Czech Republic with 12 points, and Magdalena Jehlářová added 10, including 4 blocks. For Bulgaria, Aleksandra Milanova finished with 15, and Iva Dudova with 12 points. The Czech Republic finished the group with four wins, while Bulgaria continues to the round of 16 from fourth position.
Netherlands – Belgium 2:3(25:27,22:25,25:22,25:18,13:15)
Belgium won the direct clash between the two undefeated teams in Group C and secured first place with five wins from five matches. The Netherlands had two set points at 24:22 in the first set, but the Belgians went on a run and subsequently closed the set 27:25. Belgium also led 2:0 before the Dutch reacted. Jolien Knollema provided a strong impetus from the bench, the Netherlands won the third and fourth sets and sent the match to a tie-break. There, at 13:13, Britt Herbots scored a crucial point, Britt Fransen made a block for match point, and an error by the Netherlands ended the match. Herbots was the big figure with 30 points, Pauline Martin added 19, and Fransen – 13, including 4 blocks. For the Netherlands, Knollema finished with 23, and Elles Dambrink – with 22 points.
Portugal – Romania 3:2(15:25,26:24,20:25,27:25,15:13)
Portugal achieved the greatest success in its history at European championships and qualified for the round of 16 for the first time. The beginning in no way hinted at such an end – Romania won the first set with a decisive 25:15. In the second, the Romanians led 17:13 and reached two set points at 24:22, but Portugal responded with four consecutive points and equalized. Romania again took the lead after 25:20 in the third set and in the fourth reached match point. The Portuguese saved it, and an ace by Joana Garcez brought 27:25 and a tie-break. In the decisive set, the lead changed several times before Portugal closed it at 15:13 and began the historic celebration. Ana Monteiro and Joana Maria Baciu were the top scorers in the match with 20 points each. Amanda Cavalcanti and Margarida Maia recorded 4 blocks each for the winners, and Romania's captain Rodica Buterez finished with 18 points.
Croatia – Montenegro 3:2(21:25,25:20,22:25,25:14,15:8)
Croatia had to come back twice from a set deficit, but ultimately won the match and secured fourth place in Group D. Debutant Montenegro started better and took the first set 25:21. The Croatians responded and equalized, but Montenegro again took the lead after 25:22 in the third set. From then on, the picture changed completely. Croatia dominated the fourth set 25:14, and in the tie-break, they took the lead from the start and left no chance for another comeback – 15:8. The superiority in blocking was particularly indicative – 17:11 in favor of Croatia. The victory secured the Croatians fourth position and a round of 16 match against Serbia.
Sweden – France 1:3(26:28,25:13,20:25,26:28)
France won the direct clash for second place in Group D, despite another exceptional match by Isabelle Haak. The first set was even until the very end, and the Frenchwomen snatched it 28:26. Sweden's response was decisive – 25:13 in the second set, in which the hosts recorded four aces, three of them by Haak. France regained control in the third set, with Cyrielle Depi scoring eight points in that set alone and helping to a 25:20. The fourth again turned into a point-for-point battle, but Depi scored the last attack for 28:26 and 3:1. Haak finished with an impressive 39 points, but even that was not enough for Sweden. France remained second in the group and will face Greece in the round of 16, while third-placed Sweden will play against the Czech Republic.
After the matches on August 27, several of the round of 16 pairings are already known. Bulgaria will face world champion Italy, Serbia will play against Croatia, France will play Greece, and the Czech Republic – Sweden. The remaining positions in the bracket will be finalized after the last group stage matches.

photo: cev.eu