Czechia, Hungary stun Türkiye and Montenegro in five-set classics to remain unbeaten at #EuroVolleyU16W

Czechia and Hungary remain unbeaten in Pool II of this year’s #EuroVolleyU16W following hard-fought tiebreak wins over Türkiye and Montenegro, respectively. Croatia and Greece, on the other hand, rebounded from their losses the previous day in Prishtina to cruise to comprehensive victories over Slovenia and hosts Kosovo. Over in Pool I in Tirana, top Volleyball nations Italy and Poland boast a perfect record of two wins in as many matches they have contested this far. 

In what has been the most exciting and high-level match of Pool II so far, Czechia staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Turkey 3-2 (16-25, 28-30, 25-19, 26-24, 15-11) on the second day of the CEV U16 Volleyball European Championship 2025 in Prishtina.
Türkiye started the match in dominant fashion, taking the first set 25-16 with confident attacking and sharp defensive organisation. The second set was a nail-biting contest that stretched beyond regular points, with Türkiye edging it 30-28 to build a two-set lead and appear firmly in control.
But Czechia showed remarkable resilience and skill. Refusing to back down, the Czech girls turned the tide with a 25-19 win in the third set, sparked by aggressive serving and a surge in offensive tempo. They followed it up with a nerve-wracking fourth set victory, 26-24, forcing a decider.
With momentum on their side, Czechia completed their comeback in the fifth set, staying composed and focused to win 15-11 – handing Türkiye their first defeat of the tournament and maintaining their own unbeaten record.
The match was a showcase of elite youth Volleyball, marked by long rallies, emotional swings, and standout performances from both sides. Czechia’s display of mental toughness and technical variety solidified their status as serious contenders in Pool II, while Türkiye proved their competitiveness with a powerful and disciplined game.
This five-set showdown – the longest and most gripping match in Pool II so far – lit up the second day of competition in Prishtina and raised the bar for more such battles to come.

Hungary continued their winning streak in Pool II with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Montenegro (25-17, 20-25, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9) in another intense five-set match played at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina.
Hungary made a strong start, taking the first set 25-17 through organised defence and sharp attacking combinations. However, Montenegro responded impressively, adjusting their tempo and capitalising on Hungary’s errors to claim the second set 25-20. The Montenegrin momentum carried into the third set, where they dominated with powerful serves and fast transitions, racing ahead to a convincing 25-15 win and a 2-1 lead in the match. But Hungary, showing grit and tactical maturity, regrouped in the fourth set. With improved blocking and renewed energy, they levelled the match by winning 25-18 and forcing a decider. In the fifth and final set, Hungary controlled the crucial moments with calm execution and strong serving pressure, closing out the set 15-9 to secure their second win in Pool II and remain unbeaten.

Both teams displayed high levels of intensity and determination, but it was Hungary’s consistency and experience in key moments that made the difference. Montenegro, despite the loss, showed significant quality and will be a serious contender moving forward in the group.
With this result, Hungary strengthens their position near the top of the table, as Pool II continues to deliver thrilling Volleyball in Prishtina.

Later in the afternoon, Croatia secured their first victory in Pool II with a commanding 3-0 win over Slovenia (25-18, 25-14, 25-15). After a tough opening day, the Croatian team came out with renewed energy and purpose, taking control of the match from the first serve. With efficient serving and solid net play, they built an early lead in the first set and maintained composure to close it 25-18.

Croatia elevated their play further in the second set, dominating the court with aggressive attacks and well-structured defence. Slovenia struggled to respond, as the Croatian side cruised to a 25-14 set win.
In the third set, Croatia continued their momentum, showing better rhythm and team coordination. Their consistency and pressure forced Slovenia into mistakes, and Croatia sealed the match with a convincing 25-15 finish.
This straight-sets victory marks an important turnaround for Croatia, who now gain momentum heading into the next phase of group play. For Slovenia, it was a difficult outing, and they will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming matches.

In the evening, Greece earned their first win with a dominant 3-0 performance against host nation Kosovo (25-9, 25-4, 25-11) in the final match of Day 2 at the Palace of Youth and Sports in Prishtina. From the very beginning, Greece established full control of the match with powerful serving and a disciplined all-around game. Their aggressive approach disrupted Kosovo’s rhythm early on, resulting in a lopsided 25-9 first set. Greece intensified their pressure in the second set, capitalising on unforced errors from the home team and maintaining flawless execution to secure a remarkable 25-4 set win. Kosovo showed signs of improvement in the third set, backed by the home crowd, but Greece’s superior organisation and consistent play prevailed once again, as they closed out the match 25-11.
This victory marks an important rebound for Greece after their opening loss, while Kosovo continues to gain valuable experience in their debut appearance at the European Championship. The host nation will look to build on these lessons in their upcoming matches.

As Day 2 concludes in Prishtina, the group standings begin to tighten, with every match proving crucial on the road to the knockout stage.