Netherlands beat Azerbaijan to make Pool C runners-up, Romania finish off with first win
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In the last game of Pool C in Baku on Friday, the Netherlands defeated hosts Azerbaijan in four sets to finish on a 4-1 win-loss record in second place, leaving the home team in third on 3-2. Earlier in the day, in their last match of CEV Trendyol EuroVolley 2026, Romania defeated Spain in straight sets to celebrate their first victory and finish on a 1-4 win-loss record in fifth place in the final Pool C standings. Spain leave Baku winless as the sixth-placed team in the pool.
The first set was quite interesting. After several changes in the lead, the gap was only a point at 20-19 Romania’s way. At this moment, the Balkan team sprinted home with five points in a row on opposite Ioana Maria Baciu’s turn to serve. She delivered set point with an ace for 24-19 and outside hitter Sorina Miclaus converted it with a monster block for 25-19.
Spain started stronger in the second set, with improved spiking effort, and opened a gap as wide as five points. However, Romania continued to show some great blocking and after 14-9, the gap started melting away. At 16-16 it was all level and at 21-20 Romania stepped in front. Their outside hitter and captain Rodica Buterez was on fire and took charge in the closing moments of the set to nail the last two points for 25-22.
With Baciu spearheading the offense, Romania maintained control of the scoreboard throughout the third set. In the end, it was Baciu who delivered the 25-20 match winner to bring Romania the first win of EuroVolley 2026 in their last match.
Rodica Buterez (five kill blocks, one ace) and Ioana Maria Baciu (two aces, one block) shared the top scorer honors with 15 points each. Middle blocker Lucia Varela Gomez (two aces, two blocks) and opposite Julia De Paula Viana led Spain with 11 points apiece.
Zoi Mavrommatis Lopez“I think we did not play as we wanted to in any of the sets. We didn’t serve well and they were passing really well. So, it was difficult for block-defense.”
Outside hitter of Spain
Diana Andreea Ariton“It feels good to finally have the victory. We worked really hard for it. Unfortunately, we don’t go further, but we are happy for the win.”
Middle blocker of Romania
Inspired by the fantastic fans in the stands, Azerbaijan stormed the first set on a 7-2 run and never looked back. They dominated on the court throughout the set and finished off the same way they started it, with a 7-2 run. Six points in a row with outside hitter Yelizaveta Ruban behind the serving line brought in set point at 24-13. The Netherlands denied it twice, but then Ruban herself closed the set with a pipe shot for 25-15.
The Netherlands took control of the scoreboard in the second set. With improved performance in blocking and spearheaded by opposite Elles Dambrink in attack, they prevailed to level the match. Middle blocker Britte Stuut monster-blocked for 24-16 before Dambrik’s successful swing ended the set at 25-16.
After 11-10 Azerbaijan’s way in the third set, the Netherlands scored six points in a row on Stuut’s serving turn to open up a wide lead. Azerbaijan’s star opposite Polina Rahimova was on fire on all scoring counts during the set as the home team managed to get back to within one at 23-22. However, a monster block by Stuut for 24-22 was followed by another one by outside hitter Marrit Jasper for 25-22 to put the Netherlands in the lead.
The Dutch further stepped up their spiking effort in the fourth set, with Dambrink leading the way, and stayed in control through most of the set. Azerbaijan fought back and even caught up in the score a few times, but in the money time of the set, the Netherlands stayed more focused. Stuut secured a spectacular finish to Pool C actions with two aces in a row for 25-19.
Elles Dambrink was the best scorer of the match with 22 points for the winners. Middle blocker Indy Baijens and outside hitter Laura Jansen added 17 and 15, respectively, while Britte Stuut impressed with four aces and three kill blocks towards a 10-point tally. In her very last match with the national team on home soil, Polina Rahimova led Azerbaijan with 20 points, including three aces and three kill blocks. Yelizaveta Ruban signed off with 18.
Faig Garayev“We could have won this game. We have prepared well, but there were some mistakes, so we lost. Our goal was to go up to the next level, so I am happy that we did it. But our team is maximalist, so we want to have more victories.”
Head coach of Azerbaijan
Indy Baijens“I think we started a little bit passive and then we got to turn the match. I think we stayed well together, we fought well together. I am happy!”
Middle blocker of the Netherlands