High-stakes European League to gain momentum this weekend

After the women’s preliminary round contested last weekend in Odense where Lithuania and Albania secured their progression to the League Round, the revamped CEV Volleyball European League gets truly underway later this week with as many as nine and eight men’s and women’s tournaments, respectively. The competition has enormously increased its appeal and relevance since it counts as a direct qualification pathway for the CEV EuroVolley 2028. 

The men’s competition will see matches contested in Austria, Hungary, North Macedonia, Latvia, Sweden, Denmark, Croatia, Spain, and Slovakia – with teams testing their likes in a competition that for many represent an ideal preparation for the CEV EuroVolley scheduled for this coming September. As per the competition format, the home teams will be taking to the court on Friday and Sunday and fans can look forward to a series of exciting fixtures. 

Czechia, who sensationally finished fourth at last year’s World Championship, will compete in Kecskemét playing hosts Hungary as well as Norway in Tournament 2. Finland, the top-ranked team among those competing in the European League and last year’s gold medal winners in the ‘former’ Golden League, will travel to Schwechat to test the likes of hosts Austria and Montenegro. The Netherlands, another hot contender for the top honours, will take on North Macedonia and outsiders Luxembourg in Strumica. 

Romania, Sweden, and Slovenia are the highest-ranked teams featuring in the women’s competition. Romania will travel to Latvia to play the home side and Israel whereas Sweden, former winners of the European Golden and Silver Leagues, are poised to play Azerbaijan and Estonia in Baku. Slovenia, who historically made it among the top 16 at last year’s World Championship, will begin their quest for glory by playing Montenegro and Georgia in Bar. Other tournaments will be contested in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Austria, Croatia, and Finland. 

At the end of three action-packed weekends of play, the top four teams in each gender will progress to the semis to be played in home and away matches, followed by the subsequent title-deciding matches. These four teams will also secure their participation in the CEV EuroVolley 2028 – so the stakes have never been as high in the revamped CEV European League! Make sure you follow all the matches via EuroVolleyTV with regular updates provided also through the CEV official social media channels!