Four teams seal European League semi-final spot and EuroVolley 2028 tickets
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On Saturday, Denmark secured their progression to the semis of the men’s CEV Volleyball European League 2026 with a sixth straight win in as many matches – and with this result they have also become the first team – apart from co-hosts Montenegro – to seal their participation in the CEV EuroVolley 2028 Men. Slovenia, Sweden, and Hungary have advanced to the women’s semis with one match to spare – and with this they have all booked their journey to EuroVolley 2028 two years in advance as well.
The Danes were the only team with a perfect record from Round 1 and 2 to complete their duties on Saturday. They did so in emphatic style as they beat Romania 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-15) in another dominant show of strength powered by their top-scoring duo Mads Kyed Jensen and Oskar Kjerstein Madsen, who registered 14 points apiece. Denmark did not drop a single set in their two matches contested in Tirana – as on Friday they had routed hosts Albania in three sets as well. With this, they finish the League Round on maximum six wins and 17 points – with 18 sets won and only three lost.
The Netherlands could still overtake the Danes at the top of the charts – for now they celebrated a fifth straight 3-0 win as they powered past Croatia in the tournament being held in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last year’s Golden League winners Finland may do the same on Sunday as they have amassed five wins in a row as well following their victory over Slovakia on Saturday. The race for a top-four finish remains open though – Israel sit in third place with five wins in as many matches, Sweden have completed their task with five wins and one loss, but Greece, Estonia and Czechia could still edge past the Swedes if they are to win their last matches on Sunday or to take at least one point from their respective fixtures. Estonia came back twice from one set down against the Swedes on Saturday but they eventually lost at the tiebreak their matchup in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro.
After Slovakia’s convincing victory over Iceland on Friday, the visitors entered the match looking to build momentum, but Finland responded with an impressive display to claim an important win. Finland controlled much of the opening set, using effective serving and balanced attacking to gradually create separation before securing a 25-18 victory. The second set proved to be the closest of the match. The teams traded points throughout a tightly contested battle, with Slovakia showing resilience in the closing stages to edge the set 25-23 and level the match at one set apiece. Finland regained control in the third set. Strong reception and efficient attacking allowed their side to dictate play, opening a comfortable lead before taking the set 25-17. The fourth set followed a similar pattern, with Finland maintaining the initiative and limiting Slovakia’s opportunities to mount a comeback. The Finns stayed in front throughout the decisive stages and closed out the match 25-20 to secure the four-set victory. Veikka Lindqvist led Finland’s scoring with 20 points, while Luka Marttila added 19. Finland finished the match with a 54% attack success rate and collected nine aces. For Slovakia, Martin Rendla and Patrik Matejcik each scored 10 points, while Michal Scerba contributed 11.
Over in the women’s competition, four teams – Slovenia, Sweden, Hungary and Slovakia – have five wins from as many matches, with Slovenia standing out as the sole team not to lose a single set this far. Sweden dropped their first set on Saturday as they beat Austria 3-1 in Tirana. Slovenia, on the other hand, survived three close sets in their ‘derby’ with Croatia (25-22, 25-21, 26-24). Croatia offered strong resistance, played aggressively, but Slovenia responded smartly and used the opponent’s mistakes in key moments to gain a small advantage that they then knew how to turn into three points. Croatia had a chance to win the third set, which would have made this duel even more interesting, but Slovenia did not allow it and used the second set and match point to seal a maximum victory. The Slovenians dedicated the victory to their teammate Nika Milošić, who was celebrating her 21st birthday. Slovenia hopes to complete their impeccable performance in the European League in tomorrow’s duel with the host North Macedonia, which will close the tournament in Skopje.
Finland have completed their duties with five wins and one loss but they can no longer overtake any of the top four teams. As things currently stand, Slovenia, Sweden, and Hungary are sure of a top-four spot – even if they were to lose their last match 0-3, they would not drop further down. Slovakia, on the other hand, at least theoretically, may be overtaken by Switzerland if they were to lose 0-3 to Georgia and the Swiss were to beat Israel in straight sets. Spain have a slim chance as well – they would have to beat Iceland 3-0 and hope for Slovakia to lose 0-3 (and Switzerland to lose at least a set to Israel to be removed from the equation) to equal their set ratio and it would then come down to the set points ratio to define the fourth side qualified for the semis and for EuroVolley 2028 as well.
As previously mentioned, Finland continued their strong form with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-15) victory over Spain on Saturday afternoon in Iceland, thereby completing their campaign on a record of five wins and one loss only. Spain matched Finland for much of the opening set and remained within striking distance until the closing stages. Finland, however, found another gear when it mattered most, pulling away late to claim the set 25-21. The Finnish side took control early in the second set, racing to a significant advantage through strong serving and consistent side-out play. Spain fought hard to reduce the deficit, but Finland maintained their composure and extended their lead in the match with a 25-19 set victory. The third set was dominated by Finland from the outset. Building an early lead, the Nordic team continued to pressure Spain from the service line while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Spain struggled to close the gap as Finland comfortably sealed the set 25-15 and completed the straight-set win.
Ada Aronen led all scorers with 16 points for Finland, while Suvi Kokkonen added 15 and Ella Peltomaa contributed 13 points, including six blocks. Finland recorded 27 break points and finished with a 45% attack success rate. For Spain, Lucia Varela Gómez scored 12 points, while Jimena Fernández added 10.