Romania finish off with a win
News
In their last match of CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026, Romania defeated Spain in straight sets to celebrate their first victory and finish on a 1-4 win-loss record in fifth place in the final Pool C standings. Spain leave Baku winless as the sixth-placed team in the pool.
The first set was quite interesting. After several changes in the lead, the gap was only a point at 20-19 Romania’s way. At this moment, the Balkan team sprinted home with five points in a row on opposite Ioana Maria Baciu’s turn to serve. She delivered set point with an ace for 24-19 and outside hitter Sorina Miclaus converted it with a monster block for 25-19.
Spain started stronger in the second set, with improved spiking effort, and opened a gap as wide as five points. However, Romania continued to show some great blocking and after 14-9, the gap started melting away. At 16-16 it was all level and at 21-20 Romania stepped in front. Their outside hitter and captain Rodica Buterez was on fire and took charge in the closing moments of the set to nail the last two points for 25-22.
With Baciu spearheading the offense, Romania maintained control of the scoreboard throughout the third set. In the end, it was Baciu who delivered the 25-20 match winner to bring Romania the first win of EuroVolley 2026 in their last match.
Rodica Buterez (five kill blocks, one ace) and Ioana Maria Baciu (two aces, one block) shared the top scorer honors with 15 points each. Middle blocker Lucia Varela Gomez (two aces, two blocks) and opposite Julia De Paula Viana led Spain with 11 points apiece.
Zoi Mavrommatis Lopez“I think we did not play as we wanted to in any of the sets. We didn’t serve well and they were passing really well. So, it was difficult for block-defense.”
Outside hitter of Spain
Diana Andreea Ariton“It feels good to finally have the victory. We worked really hard for it. Unfortunately, we don’t go further, but we are happy for the win.”
Middle blocker of Romania
More information coming up here after the match…