After Bulgaria, another of the four best teams from the last World Championship in Manila ended its participation in EuroVolley 2026 already in the 1/8 finals. Fourth in the world, Czechia was outplayed by Belgium with 3:1 (20:25, 26:24, 25:14, 25:15), and the "Red Dragons" advance to the quarterfinals.
The Czechs started better and took the first set with 25:20, but the second proved crucial for the development of the match. Belgium snatched it with 26:24, equalized the score, and then completely took control. In the next two sets, the Czechs only managed to score 14 and 15 points respectively.
Thus, just two days after Bulgaria's elimination, another participant in the Final Four of the 2025 World Championship left the European Championship already at the first stage of the eliminations. Bulgaria, which became world vice-champion in Manila, was the first of the Top 4 to be eliminated – after a dramatic 2:3 against Germany in Sofia. Now the same fate befell the fourth in the world, Czechia.
The big figure for Belgium was Ferre Reggers. The opposite hitter finished with 24 points, 10 of which were break points, and was the most effective volleyball player in the match. Sam Deroo added 17 points for the winners, while for Czechia, Indra and Vasina scored 14 each, and Roty remained with 10.
With his performance, Reggers accumulated 120 points at EuroVolley 2026 and is now only 20 points behind the leader in scoring, Alex Nikolov (140), and will have the opportunity to attack the Bulgarian's achievement already in the quarterfinal.
Belgium is now among the eight best teams in Europe and awaits the winner of the match between Serbia and Slovenia in the quarterfinal.

photo: cev.eu