Germany survive another test as Romania seal knockout-stage place

Germany remained unbeaten but were made to work once again in Pool D, overcoming Switzerland 3-1 less than 24 hours after their five-set battle with Romania. The hosts, meanwhile, continued their impressive rise in Cluj-Napoca, defeating Türkiye 3-1 to secure their place in the knockout stage in front of another passionate home crowd.

Germany vs Switzerland 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21)

Germany extended their unbeaten run at CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men to four matches on Monday, but Switzerland made them work hard for it before Massimo Botti’s side secured a 3-1  victory in Cluj-Napoca.

Less than 24 hours after being pushed to five sets by hosts Romania, Germany returned to the court and initially looked firmly in control. They took the opening two sets 25-19 and 25-17, using their greater efficiency in attack and pressure at the net to establish a two-set advantage.

Tobias Brand was at the centre of Germany’s performance, finishing with a match-high 25 points. Germany also produced 11 blocks, with Tobias Krick contributing three as Botti’s team continued to find different ways to score.

But Switzerland were not ready to let the match slip away.

Juan Manuel Serramalera’s side improved as the contest progressed and began to put Germany under increasing pressure. Switzerland stayed aggressive in the third set and, when Germany’s level dipped, took their opportunity. A 25-22 set win kept them alive and gave the Swiss their first set of the afternoon.

For Switzerland’s Alexander Lengweiler, it was about much more than simply taking a set from one of the strongest teams in the pool.

“We saw Romania take Germany to 3-2, and our expectations were higher against Romania and Türkiye, and we didn’t perform,” Lengweiler said. “So it was like, if we want to have a chance, we’ve got to win this.”

Switzerland carried that belief into the fourth. Germany established an early advantage, but their opponents refused to disappear, gradually working their way back into the set and keeping alive the possibility of another five-set contest.

“We were able to be on their heels, and then in the third set they relaxed a little bit, and we took the advantage and didn’t lose it,” Lengweiler explained. “In the fourth, they started well, but we came back, so I really felt, ‘Man, we’re going to get this.’ But it didn’t happen. It was a good fight.”

Germany eventually steadied themselves and closed the fourth set 25-21 to complete the victory after 107 minutes.

The numbers underline how Switzerland managed to make the second half of the match far more competitive. Germany finished with a 50% attacking efficiency and 11 blocks, compared with Switzerland’s 45% and seven. Switzerland’s Etienne Schalch led his team with 22 points, while Lars Migge added 11.

For Germany, it was another victory but a very different test from the comfortable matches with which they began their campaign. After surviving Romania’s comeback in a five-set battle on Saturday, Botti’s players were asked to respond again when Switzerland threatened to extend Monday’s contest.

Germany found that response and remain unbeaten in Pool D.

Switzerland leave without the victory they were searching for, but after difficult outings earlier in the tournament, this was a performance with considerably more fight and, for a period, genuine belief that they could take one of the pool’s unbeaten teams all the way.

Romania vs Türkiye 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 25-18)

Romania gave their home supporters another night to celebrate in Cluj-Napoca, defeating Türkiye 3-1 to secure their place in the knockout stage of CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men.

After pushing unbeaten Germany all the way to a fifth set a day earlier, Sergiu Stancu’s team carried that momentum into Monday’s encounter. Romania controlled the opening two sets before Türkiye responded in the third, but the hosts regained their composure to close the match in four in front of 3,875 spectators at BTarena.

Romania’s serving played an important role in disrupting Türkiye’s rhythm, while their attack operated at 58% across the match. Alexandru Rață led the hosts with 22 points, while Cristian-Daniel Chițigoi added 16.

For Rață, Romania’s improvement has been building since their first victory of the tournament against Switzerland.

“Everything began after the win against Switzerland. We started to play better against Germany and played stronger Volleyball, and that gave us the confidence and the form we needed to play so well against Türkiye,” he said.

Serving, he added, was one of the keys.

“We always try to serve as well as possible, but today all my teammates served really well, and that made the difference.”

Türkiye refused to go quietly. After dropping the opening two sets, Slobodan Kovač’s side raised their level in the third and took it 25-20. But Romania responded immediately, rebuilding their advantage in the fourth and finishing the job 25-18.

For Stancu, the result confirmed Romania’s qualification but also continued the progression he has seen from his players during the tournament.

“Yes, we are qualified,” the Romanian head coach said. “Speaking about the game, the result didn’t matter for us. We focused only on the game. I want to thank my players because they played so well against a great team.”

“After two great sets, we had a third set that was not so good, but we came back in the fourth, and we won. All the applause is for them.”

The Romanian coach also acknowledged the significance of overcoming a team led by Kovač.

“The coach of Türkiye is a big European coach, so it is an even bigger satisfaction that we managed to win against them,” Stancu added.

The evening also came with praise for Cluj-Napoca and the Romanian hosts from the CEV President Roko Sikirić, who highlighted the return of EuroVolley to the city after it previously staged the women’s competition in 2021.

“We are very glad, happy and thankful to be here, and to the national federation, the city and the government for welcoming us,” he said. “The organisation is at a very high standard. Most importantly, the teams are giving compliments, and I can witness myself that it is really perfect.”

For Romania, the night offered the strongest confirmation yet of their upward trajectory in Pool D: a first win over Switzerland, a five-set battle with Germany and now a victory over Türkiye that sends the hosts into the knockout stage.