Pools drawn for #EuroVolleyU16W and #EuroVolleyU16M Finals

The stars in the making of European Volleyball will be taking centre stage later this summer when 16 teams contest the Final Round of #EuroVolleyU16M in Yerevan, Armenia, and just as many play for continental glory in Tirana, Albania, and Pristina, Kosovo, where this year’s #EuroVolleyU16W is due to take place. They all know what their journey will be looking like following the Drawing of Lots held at the home of European Volleyball after completion of last week’s qualifiers. 

The DOL did take into account each team’s position in the European ranking for these age groups, thereby dividing the 16 teams into two pools of eight each – where they will play all against each other following the single round-robin format. The top two teams in each pool will progress to the semis and subsequent medal matches. 

The #EuroVolleyU16W Final Round will take place in Albania and Kosovo – the first time an event of this magnitude will be hosted by the Balkan country, the youngest member of the European Volleyball family since they joined it officially and with full rights in 2016. Albania will be playing some of Europe’s leading Volleyball nations, including Italy, Bulgaria, and Poland. On the other hand, Kosovo will host other powerhouses such as Türkiye and Croatia, as well as emerging countries like Montenegro – the first time a women’s team from the Balkan country has qualified for the final stage of an age-group continental championship. Italy are the defending champions following their success at the 2023 event co-hosted by Serbia and Hungary. 

The pool composition reads as follows:

The U16 men’s event in Yerevan will break new ground as well – never before has a European Championship in any team sport taken place in the Caucasus country. Armenia will test themselves against powerhouses such as Poland and Slovenia – whereas Italy lead a Pool II filled with prominent nations such as Bulgaria, Türkiye, Serbia, Czechia, and France. Italy are the defending champions in this event as well, as they triumphed two years ago in Montenegro. 

The full pool composition reads as follows: