50 Years in the making: Israel ready to "Leave a Mark" at EuroVolley 2026
Feature
Half a century is a long time to wait, but for the Israeli men’s national Volleyball team, five decades of ambition and heartbreak dissolved into pure, unbridled jubilation the moment the final ball hit the floor against Estonia, and they secured their ticket to CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men.
For the first time in 50 years, the blue-and-whites have earned their place on Europe’s grandest stage (after hosting in 2023) strictly through sweat, grit, and court results - stepping into #EuroVolleyM not as automatic hosts, but as proven contenders who fought their way through the continental gauntlet.
Drawn into a highly competitive Pool B in Sofia alongside Volleyball powerhouses Poland and host nation Bulgaria - as well as dangerous, disciplined sides in Ukraine, Portugal, and North Macedonia - head coach Itamar Stein and his squad are not treating their ticket to the tournament as a final destination. They have arrived in the Bulgarian capital with a razor-sharp focus and an unmistakable objective: finish in the top four of the group and punch their ticket to the Round of 16.
Itamar Stein"Qualifying in itself is already a great achievement, especially considering the dramatic way we made it after that narrow victory over Estonia. But there is no loss of hunger on this team - only a drive to succeed and achieve more. Our goal in this upcoming Championship is to advance."
Israel Head Coach
Equal footing on the Grand Stage
Israel’s tactical roadmap in Sofia hinges heavily on targeted battles against Portugal and North Macedonia, alongside an intense clash with Ukraine. Yet, the prospect of lining up against Volleyball giants like top world-ranked Poland and vice world champions home-crowd favorites Bulgaria brings a distinct kind of motivation - one completely free of intimidation.
"Preparing for a game against Poland or Bulgaria is actually the 'easiest' preparation," Stein explains with a smile. "You don't need to generate extra motivation when you're playing against the biggest stars in the world. We will focus on our own game as usual, try to find opportunities to gain advantages, and play the best Volleyball we can. These are the kinds of matches you can only grow from."
That fearless mindset isn't late-stage bravado; it is the natural evolution of a team that has steadily elevated its standing in European Volleyball over the past three years.
"We don't feel inferior to anyone, but of course we have tremendous respect for every opponent at this level," Stein emphasises. "We know we are well known in Europe now and no longer underestimated. That gives us confidence and pride, but at the same time, we know every opponent will come at us with everything they’ve got. Ultimately, that only sharpens our focus."
To endure the physical toll of a dense tournament schedule where every point can tilt the standings, the coaching staff left nothing to chance. Guided by high-performance physical conditioning led by Sean Feiga and hands-on medical support from physiotherapist Tomer Tirosh, the squad arrives in Sofia physically primed to sustain maximum intensity from the first serve to the final whistle.
A brotherhood forged under pressure
Beyond tactical preparation and physical endurance, the core engine driving Israel’s momentum sits inside the locker room. It is an intangible bond built on years of shared struggle - a connection player Shay Liberman describes as rare in professional sport.
"Beyond trusting one another on the court, we genuinely love each other," says Liberman.
Shay Liberman"People say it often, but the guys here are more than teammates - they are a second family. The final qualifying match against Estonia was the hardest game, but at the final whistle, realising we had done it after such a long, emotional summer... it was an unbelievable feeling."
Player of Israel
For Liberman and his teammates, carrying the hopes of home while stepping onto the Taraflex court in Sofia brings a profound sense of purpose that transcends standard competition.
"There's always excitement before games, but given the scale of this tournament, the feelings are even more intense," Liberman admits. "I have many dreams, but the biggest is definitely reaching the Olympics with this team. Every competition you enter, you should aim to win. The competition is tough and we're up against the world's best, but reaching the Round of 16 would be a monumental achievement for us, and we'll take it from there."
Ready to Leave a Mark
As opening day approaches and the atmosphere inside Arena 8888 Sofia builds toward a crescendo, the weight of history is not lost on Stein. When the national anthems echo through the venue, it will mark both the reward for years of dedicated work and the start of a chapter they intend to write in bold letters.
Itamar Stein"The historic moment was really securing our qualification - it was one of the happiest moments in our sporting lives because we realised we had accomplished something we dreamed of for years."
Israel Head Coach
"Just being part of a tournament of this magnitude brings incredible excitement. You're competing against the biggest stars in the world on a continent-wide stage. We want to leave our mark on this Championship," head coach Stein concludes.