European League resumes with seven teams looking to keep perfect record

The revamped CEV Volleyball European League resumes this coming weekend with the second round of action – and another nine men’s and eight women’s tournaments, respectively. There is much at stake since a top four finish at the end of the League Round does not only secure progression to the semis, but direct qualification for the CEV EuroVolley 2028 as well. 

Latvia, the Netherlands, and Estonia lead the way in the men’s competition as they did not concede a single set in their two matches played last week. Latvia will travel to Portugal to play the home side there as well as Montenegro – fresh winners of a highly entertaining matchup with Austria. The Oranjes will enjoy the home-court advantage in Doetinchem where they are due to play a rather young Slovak team as well as outsiders Georgia – so the hosts will hope to add another two wins to their tally. Estonia will play at home as well where they face Austria and Kosovo in an effort to keep their immaculate record in the competition. 

Four teams – Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, and Sweden – also have a perfect record in the League Round this far. Sweden will be hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lithuania – winners of the Preliminary Round contested in late May – in Ängelholm, as they continue to work towards a highly anticipated EuroVolley on home soil coming up later this summer. Slovenia are heavy favourites at home where they play Latvia and Iceland – even though Latvia pushed top-ranked Romania to a tiebreaker last week in Riga. Slovakia will be playing Israel and Finland at home as well, with Hungary enjoying home-soil advantage in Kecskemét where they take on Croatia and Estonia. 

As per the competition format in place, the home sides play their respective matches on Friday and Sunday – with the visiting teams locking horns on Saturday. For the first time in history, the CEV Volleyball European League provides teams with an opportunity to qualify for the next EuroVolley – thereby increasing the appeal of the competition and streamlining the international calendar as well, with the provision of additional certainty around the planning of national team programmes.