Finland stun Italy to reach EuroVolley Final Four, Slovenia make it four in a row

Finland shocked hosts Italy to claim the final ticket to the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men semifinals. Powered by Joonas Jokela and Luka Marttila, Finland showed tremendous resilience to come from behind in the tiebreak and seal their ticket to Milano, reaching this stage of the competition for only the second time in history. They will face France in the semifinal. Earlier on Wednesday, Slovenia reached the EuroVolley Final Four for the fourth consecutive edition, booking their place in Friday’s semifinal against Poland. The bronze medallists from the previous edition defeated Belgium 3-1 through an impressive team effort at PalaVela Torino. 
With Finland, France, Slovenia and Poland in the Final Four, the semifinals feature one team from each of the four pools.

Belgium vs Slovenia 1-3 (22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 13-25)

Slovenia, regulars on the EuroVolley podium for more than a decade, were aiming for a fourth consecutive semifinal appearance, while Belgium were looking to repeat their 2017 achievement, when they last reached the Final Four. Slovenia made a perfect start, applying pressure from both the service line and at the net to race to a 4-0 lead during Alen Pajenk’s service run, which included an ace. Belgium responded through Ferre Reggers and Sam Deroo, fighting back to level the score at 6-6 and set up a thrilling point-for-point battle. Both teams then stepped up their blocking, making it impossible for either side to gain any advantage. Jan Kozamernik and Reggers led the scoring for their respective teams with five points each. Slovenia finally created some breathing room in the decisive stage, with Kozamernik, who contributed three blocks, and Rok Možič helping them move 22-19 ahead. Reggers tried to spark another Belgian comeback, but two excellent spikes from Pajenk in the closing rallies helped Slovenia seal the set 25-22.

A fierce battle for every point unfolded from the start of the second set, with both sides playing extremely focused. Ferre Reggers was on fire for Belgium, hammering eight kills at a 67% success rate, while Rok Možič took charge for Slovenia, powering six points at an impressive 83% success rate. An ace from Stijn D’Hulst gave Belgium a two-point lead, but Slovenia immediately erased the deficit and began to build momentum. A block from Jan Kozamernik and Klemen Čebulj helped the 2023 bronze medallists move 19-17 ahead. Belgium tried to stay within reach, but service errors prevented them from reducing the gap, while Slovenia continued to dominate at the net, scoring four blocks in the set. An ace from Čebulj gave Slovenia a series of set points at 24-20, before Možič delivered the decisive point to close out the set 25-22.

With no more room for mistakes, Belgium made a strong start to the third set, with Ferre Reggers and Basil Dermaux helping them race to a 4-1 lead. Slovenia responded quickly to level the score at 8-8, but Dermaux then stepped up as Belgium’s main weapon, making his presence felt both in attack and at the net to restore a three-point advantage at 11-8. Slovenia tried to fight back, and spikes from Rok Možič and Nik Mujanović briefly brought them level at 15-15. Belgium, however, responded immediately, with Reggers and Dermaux - who scored seven and eight points respectively in the set - combining to put their team back in front at 19-16. Slovenia struggled to find their rhythm in attack throughout the set (30% success rate), with Klemen Čebulj providing one of their brightest moments with four points. Belgium remained composed and continued to push towards extending the match, with a block from Stijn D’Hulst sealing the set 25-20.

After losing the third set, Slovenia responded with a powerful run from Uroš Planinšič to race to a 4-0 lead. Having regained their rhythm, the Slovenians extended their advantage to 10-4, powered by Možič, who scored seven points in the set, and Mujanović, who added five. Reggers and Dermaux tried to spark a Belgian comeback, but Slovenia were simply flawless, committing only two unforced errors in the set as they pushed towards another EuroVolley Final Four. Klemen Čebulj was perfect in attack, converting all three of his attempts to help Slovenia maintain a 16-10 lead. Belgium fought until the end, but Alen Pajenk’s service run moved Slovenia to 24-12, and the 2023 bronze medallists held their nerve to close out the set and book their place in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive EuroVolley.

Rok Možič topped Slovenia’s scoring with 18 points, including 15 kills at a 63% success rate and three blocks. He was followed by Nik Mujanović with 14 points and Čebulj with 12, while the returning outside hitter also recorded 68% positive reception. For Belgium, Ferre Reggers topped the scoring charts with 23 points.

Italy - Finland 2-3 (25-21, 26-28, 16-25, 25-19, 12-15)

Hosts Italy were aiming for their 15th EuroVolley semifinal in history and a third consecutive appearance in the last four, while Finland were looking to repeat their 2007 achievement, when they reached the semifinals for the first time. In front of more than 8,300 spectators, Italy made the stronger start. A solid service run from Yuri Romano, combined with powerful plays from Giovanni Sanguinetti and Daniele Lavia, helped the hosts move 7-4 ahead. Finland, however, refused to let Italy pull away. An ace from Luka Marttila brought them within one point at 10-9, before his brother Nooa delivered another ace to level the score at 14-14. Every attempt by Italy to build an advantage was immediately answered by Finland, who continued to erase the deficit and levelled again at 17-17, with Luka Marttila leading the charge. The Finland's outside hitter scored eight points in the set at 70% success rate in attack. Italy finally found some breathing room in the decisive stage, with two blocks from Pardo Mati helping the hosts move 22-18 ahead. Romano, who was unstoppable in attack with six points at an outstanding 86% success rate, then delivered his second ace to give Italy a series of set points at 24-20. The hosts held their nerve to close out the set 25-21.

Finland refused to back down. Led by Joonas Jokela and Luka Marttila, they raced to a 7-5 lead and held their advantage at 14-12 despite Italy’s efforts to level the score. The momentum slightly shifted when Daniele Lavia stepped onto the service line. His ace not only tied the score but also gave Italy a 15-14 lead. Finland, however, remained calm, matching the world champions point for point behind an outstanding Joonas Jokela, who hammered 10 winning spikes in the set at a remarkable 77% success rate. As the pressure mounted, Italy committed more unforced errors, while Finland stayed composed to move ahead 23-22. Ferdinando De Giorgi responded by sending Alessandro Michieletto onto the court, but the Finns continued to hold their nerve.  Giovanni Sanguinetti stepped up with crucial points in both attack and block, finishing the set with six points, yet Italy could not complete the comeback. After a tense battle in extra time, Nooa Marttila’s decisive spike sealed the set 28-26 for Finland.

Finland kept the momentum, storming to a 10-3 lead led by Joonas Jokela and Luka Marttila, (who scored seven and four points respectively in the set). Although the hosts reduced the gap with Mattia Bottolo on serve (10-6) and later after a block from Michieletto (11-8), Finland quickly restored their advantage, moving 16-11 and then 21-14 ahead with strong service pressure and solid work at the net, including five killing blocks. Petteri Tyynismaa’s spike closed the set 25-16, putting Finland unexpectedly within one set of a place in the semifinals.

Sparked by the home crowd, Italy started the set strongly, taking a 6-3 lead, but Finland quickly closed the gap with excellent defensive work. Good plays from Sanguinetti and Romano helped the hosts restore their advantage at 11-8, but Jokela (seven points in the set), and an ace from Mika Haapaniemi brought Finland level at 11-11. Both sides then exchanged powerful spikes in a thrilling volleyball show. Finland worked tirelessly in defence and found solutions even when out of system, keeping the score level at 16-16, while Italy worked hard with their block (four killing stuffs in the set). Sanguinetti and Mattia Bottolo (four points each in the set) helped Italy move 20-18 ahead. Giannelli then took charge from the service line, including an ace, as the hosts surged to 24-19 before closing out the set 25-20.

A tiebreak is always a battle of nerves, and the experienced Italians started with confidence. Spikes from Yuri Romano and a block from Giannelli helped the hosts take a 5-2 lead, but Finland refused to give up. Italy still led 11-8, yet even that proved insufficient as Finland, powered by Luka Marttila Joonas Jokela, kept believing. An ace from Luka levelled the score at 12-12. Giving their absolute best and sparing no effort in defence, Finland held their nerve to prevail 15-13, silencing the packed Palavela and reaching the EuroVolley semifinals for only the second time in history.

Joonas Jokela topped the scoring charts with 28 points, including 27 kills at a 68% success rate and one block. Luka Marttila added 22 points, with 19 kills and three aces, while Mika Haapaniemi contributed 10 points, including five blocks. For Italy, Yuri Romano finished with 20 points.