Belgium, Netherlands shut out Romania, Spain to advance to EuroVolley eighthfinals

Belgium emerged as the second Pool C team to reserve a spot in the CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 eighthfinals after sweeping their game against Romania in straight sets on Tuesday in Baku to improve to a 3-0 win-loss ratio. This result also propelled the Netherlands forward to the knockout stage of the tournament, but the Dutch remained unimpressed and hammered out shutout of their own against Spain and also rose to 3-0. Meanwhile, Romania and Spain remained winless after three matches played, but still in contention for the fourth available ticket to Istanbul.

Pool C: Romania v Belgium 0-3 (21-25, 20-25, 17-25)

After an even fight on the court, the score in the first set was 16-16, when Belgium took the lead for good. With opposite Pauline Martin leading the offense, the western Europeans won the first set by 25-21 with an unforced error by Romania for the last point.

At 1-1 was the last time the score was even during the second set. Although the southern Europeans showed improved performance in both offense and defense, Belgium’s star outside hitter Britt Herbots was on fire and her team kept control of the scoreboard through the end. A perfectly placed ball by her cross-court teammate Tea Radovic put Belgium at a 24-19 set point. Two rallies later the set finished at 25-20 with sub-in Liese Verhelst delivering the set winner.

Romania took the first lead in set three, but after 5-3, Belgium scored five in a row to step in front and never looked back. Middle blocker Nathalie Lemmens was particularly valuable in offense in the money time spiking her team’s last three points towards a 25-17 close.

Pauline Martin with 18 points, including three kill blocks, and Britt Herbots with 17, all in swings, were the leading scorers of the match. Tea Radovic also reached the double digits with 11 points, while outside hitters Rodica Buterez and Sorina Miclaus were Romania’s most prolific scorers with nine points apiece.

Pool C: Netherlands v Spain 3-0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-16)

The Netherlands capitalized on the abundant unforced errors of Spain to keep the first set entirely under control. In addition, the Dutch made their own lives easier with a great serving effort that produced as many as four aces. At the end of the set, the Netherlands sprinted home with six points in a row on middle blocker Britte Stuut’s turn to serve, closing the set at a merciless 25-13.

The second set was not much different. The Dutch raised the level of their blocking performance, especially with outside hitter Marrit Jasper raising three kill blocks, and completely dominated on the court. A successful swing by sub-in opposite Nicole van de Vosse delivered set point at 24-11, immediately converted by Stuut to a 25-11 close with her fourth ace of the match.

Spain tried to be a little more competitive in the third set, but to no avail. Cruising towards the victory, the Netherlands continued to dominate. To crown their great serving effort in the match (a total of 13 aces), outside Laura Jansen put in the final touch to this victory with a direct point from the end line for 25-16.

Marrit Jasper contributed a match-high 12 points, including five kill blocks and two aces. Britte Stuut impressed with a total of five aces, while Spanish opposite Julia De Paula Viana led her team’s scorers with 10 points.

Wednesday’s sixth competition day in Pool C will feature Spain against Portugal at 15:30 local time, and Belgium against Azerbaijan at 18:30.