Greece make EuroVolley history, Serbia prevail over Croatia to reach quarterfinals

The knockout stage of the CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026 Women got underway in Brno on Sunday with two highly anticipated eighthfinal clashes - and the first battle for a place in the quarterfinals immediately delivered a historic moment. Greece continued their sensational run by stunning France in straight sets to reach the EuroVolley quarterfinals for the first time in the country’s history. Once again, one of the tournament’s biggest revelations proved they are not afraid of facing higher-ranked opponents. Later on Sunday, Croatia pushed Serbia all the way, but the Serbian side eventually came back from one set down to claim the second ticket to the quarterfinals in Brno.

France vs Greece 0-3 (16-25, 18-25, 20-25)

The eighthfinal clash between France and Greece kicked off the highly anticipated EuroVolley knockout stage. One of the tournament’s revelations after impressive victories over higher-ranked Ukraine and Bulgaria, Greece were aiming to write another chapter in their history by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time ever. France, meanwhile, were looking to advance to the quarterfinals for the fourth time, having previously achieved the feat in 2013, 2021 and 2023.

Greece made the brighter start, with Martha Anthouli on the service line helping her team to a 7-4 lead. France - led by Cyrielle Depie (6 points in the opener) - tried to stay within touching distance, but Greece continued to play solidly in every aspect of the game. Putting significant pressure on their opponents with their service - recording three aces in the set - and proving equally effective at the net with four block points, the Greek side extended their advantage to 15-9 during Evangelia Tani’s service run. From that point on, Greece kept the score under control and confidently closed the set 25-16 with a block from Eirini Chatziefstratiadou. Effrosyni Bakodimou, Markella Papageorgiou and Martha Anthouli contributed with five points apiece for Greece in the opener. 

The second set developed into a fierce battle for every point, with both sides producing some impressive plays as they remained level at 7-7. Greece were the first to create some breathing room, moving 12-10 ahead following an ace from Martha Anthouli. They quickly built on that momentum, racing to a 15-11 lead thanks to excellent work at the net. France, however, refused to give up. Two consecutive aces from Iman Ndiaye brought them right back into contention, reducing the gap to just one point at 15-14. Greece responded immediately with a decisive five-point streak during Markella Papageorgiou’s service run, restoring a comfortable advantage at 20-14. Once again, the Greek side spared no effort in both offence and defence, with their all-around play proving to be one of their greatest strengths.  Powerful attacks from Anthouli, who scored 9 points in the set, including 8 kills at an impressive 73% success rate, and Effrosyni Bakodimou, who added 4 points, kept Greece firmly in control at 23-16. However, the celebrations were tempered when Bakodimou was forced to leave the court due to injury. Her teammates nevertheless completed the mission, sealing the set 25-18 after a decisive spike from Elpida Tikmanidou.

Greece kept the momentum at the start of the third set, racing to an early 7-4 lead and extending it further to 10-5. France tried to find their rhythm again, but struggled to stop the Greek side, who continued to play with confidence and energy. The French team kept fighting, however, with Lilou Ratahiry leading the way with 6 points in the set as they gradually reduced the gap to 16-14. Greece briefly regained control and moved ahead 20-15, but France had one more comeback left in them. A powerful service run from Iman Ndiaye, who also contributed in attack, brought France back to within one point at 20-19. Greece were determined not to let the opportunity slip away. Led by the Tikmanidou-Anthouli duo, with both players scoring 6 points in the set, the Hellenic side held their nerve to close the set 25-20 and the match 3-0, reaching the EuroVolley quarterfinals for the first time in history.

Martha Anthouli topped the scorers’ chart with 20 points, including 17 kills at an impressive 65% success rate, 2 blocks and 1 ace. Markella Papageorgiou, Effrosyni Bakodimou and Elpida Tikmanidou each added nine points. France’s top scorer, Cyrielle Depie, tallied 12.

Serbia vs Croatia 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-12)

On their way to the EuroVolley eighthfinals, Serbia had dropped just one set. Their opponents in the battle for a place in the quarterfinals, Croatia, had progressed from Pool D with two victories - over Slovakia and Montenegro - while playing no fewer than four five-set matches during the pool stage.

Croatia came into the clash determined to keep pace with Serbia and, powered by some solid attacking from Samanta Fabris, did exactly that in the early stages. Serbia tried to build momentum, including an ace from Vanja Ivanović that gave them a 7-4 lead, but Croatia quickly erased the gap to level the score at 8-8. With Mika Grbavica on the service line, Croatia seized the initiative and raced to a 14-9 advantage. Tijana Bošković and Aleksandra Uzelac, who scored 4 points apiece in the set, tried to lead Serbia’s comeback, and although the favourites reduced the deficit to just two points at 16-14, Croatia withstood the pressure and restored their advantage. Grbavica continued to lead the Croatian charge, finishing the set with 7 points. Her ace earned Croatia a series of set points at 24-19, and the team converted the first one after a spike from Leonarda Grabić to take the opener.

Both teams were determined to make a strong start to the second set, producing another point-by-point battle that remained level at 8-8. Powered by Mika Grbavica (4 points in the set), and a spike from Božana Butigan, Croatia moved 11-8 ahead. Serbia, led by Tijana Bošković and Aleksandra Uzelac (who contributed 8 and 6 points, respectively) quickly fought back to 11-10. Croatia restored their three-point advantage, only to see it disappear once again as Serbia gradually began to find their rhythm. With Ljubica Milojević on the service line, Zoran Terzić’s squad levelled the score at 14-14 before taking their first real control of the set. Strong plays from Hena Kurtagić, who scored four points including three blocks, and Bošković helped Serbia race to an 18-15 lead. The favourites continued to dominate at the net, recording 6 block points in the set, and quickly extended their advantage to 23-16. Croatia denied several set points, but Serbia eventually closed the set 25-19 to level the match.

Croatia were not discouraged by the loss of the second set and continued to fight to maintain a high level. However, a strong service run from Hena Kurtagić helped Serbia move 8-5 ahead before extending their advantage to 10-6. From that point on, Serbia kept the score firmly under control, playing with growing confidence and racing to an 18-11 lead. The Serbian side were particularly effective in reception, recording an impressive 73% positive reception in the set. Croatia tried to find a way back, with Samantha Fabris leading the charge with eight points and an excellent 73% success rate in attack, but despite their efforts, they were unable to launch a real comeback. Serbia continued to control the decisive moments, and a spike from Kurtagić, who scored four points in the set, sealed a 25-17 victory.

Serbia carried their momentum into the fourth set, racing to a commanding 12-5 lead. Vanja Ivanović, who scored six points in the set, and Tijana Bošković, who added five, led the Serbian charge as the team played with full confidence. Serbia continued to dominate, extending the gap to 20-8 before closing the set 25-12 to seal their place in the EuroVolley quarterfinals.

Tijana Bošković and Aleksandra Uzelac shared the top-scoring honours with 18 points apiece, while Hena Kurtagić added 12, including six blocks. On Croatia’s side, Samanta Fabris and Mika Grbavica led the scoring with 15 points each.