Serbia's thrilling win over Estonia and Red Dragons' show over Lange Mannen in Tampere
Recap
In the second day of Pool C in Tampere for CEV Enel EuroVolley Men 2026 Belgium won 3-1 (25-14, 18-25, 25-17, 25-14) against the Netherlands in the first match and then Serbia overcame Estonia 3-1 (25-23, 26-24, 26-28, 25-22) in the second. A great day for volleyball fans to be in Tampere, with two thrilling matches as the icing on the cake.
Serbia vs Estonia 3-1 (25-23, 26-24, 26-28, 25-22)
The first set was a one-man show of Serbia’s Drazen Luburic, who recorded nine points (seven spikes and two blocks) to lead his team from the beginning to the end of the set. In front of a black and blue Nokia Arena, packed with a big group of Estonian fans who clapped and waved their flags for their national team, the Serbians went ahead 6-3 and 10-7. However, Estonia fought back until tie at 13 after a wonderful and neverending rally full of digs and spikes. Despite the roar of the crowd, Estonia failed to sustain the momentum and the Serbian team took back control of the set with a 4-point advantage at 17-13. From that point on, it was Timo Ander Lohmus who fought on every single point to let his team get closer to the opponents, but Serbia were already gone to win the set 25-23.
The second set turned into an emotional rollercoaster: Estonia edged ahead 7-4 and 11-7, followed by Serbia’s comeback until 12-11. The duel was again between Luburic and Lohmus, the two main characters of the first half. Serbia gained point on point to take the set to 24-24 thanks to two unbelievable aces from Lazar Marinovic. And the last gem: a touch of Estonia’s block on Luburic closed the set in favour of the men in red and blue jerseys.
Although in the third Serbia were ahead by one point at 21-20, it did not mean the game was in control of Estonia. The head coach of Serbia changed Luburic and setter Aleksa Batak for Nemanja Masulovic and captain Nikola Jovovic, but the Estonians were really focused with Lohmus and Märt Tammearu to gain a point. When the set went to deuce 24-24 the black and blue side refused to back down and thanks to Renee Teppan they had the chance to keep the match alive. The fourth set saw the two teams locked at 10-10, before Serbia with Marinovic and Peric took the lead of the set with a commanding seven-point cushion. It wasn’t enough for their opponents, who eventually got back until -2 at 23-21. However, Serbia closed the door of the set again with Marinovic to claim the final points and wrap up the match victory.
Lazar Marinovic"We didn't expect such a tough match, but the first match of a big tournament is always tricky. "Bravo" to the Estonians, but we were strong enough to take our first win."
Opposite spiker of Serbia
Renee Teppan"There's no reason to cry after this match: Serbia did some things better and this is the result. We put up a good fight and this we can take on to the next game."
Opposite spiker of Estonia
The Netherlands vs Belgium 1-3 (14-25, 25-18, 17-25, 14-25)
The two teams are not just neighbouring nations, but fierce rivals who know each other very well because they played two friendly matches just before the beginning of CEV Enel EuroVolley Men 2026 (Belgium won both 3-1). And you could easily understand it from the very first point. The Belgian Red Dragons put pressure with serves and spikes through captain Sam Deroo and Samuel Fafchamps, and as a result the Netherlands struggled to find their pace. Belgium was always in the lead (6-2, 10-4) even though the Lange Mannen tried their best with Silvester Meijs (best scorer of the set with five points) and a few aces. Emanuele Zanini’s squad comfortably captured the set with as many as six blocks.
The second one started with the first lead of the match for the Netherlands (7-5) that made Zanini call a first time out. Sam Deroo found it harder to edge the Dutch block and Tom Koops serve let his team reach 12-6 easily. The set was the mirror image of the first, with the Lange Mannen cruising to 18-11 thanks to Silvester Meijs’s nine points. On the other side of the net, captain Deroo and teammates found everything hard when just a set before everything was easy (just 1 block point compared to 6 in the first) and they let the second set go 25-18 for the Netherlands.
Belgium rediscovered their spark in the third, leading the scoring with captain Deroo and Reggers on the spotlight with 6 and 5 points at the end. The Lange Mannen remained anyway close to their opponents but not that much to worry them: spikes and blocks from Belgium got back good and the set closed at 25-17. The fourth set was just the cherry on top for the Red Dragons: they found the way to score point after point without thinking too much at the scoreboard, Reggers stepped up once again as his team's best scorer (8 points, 18 at the end of the match) and eventually sealing a well-deserved match victory for Belgium.
Joel Banks“I’m disappointed that we didn’t start the match well. We only played at our true level in the second set. If we approach the match against Denmark tomorrow with a different mindset we'll see a different match."
Head coach of the Netherlands
Ferre Reggers"After the second set we were more consistent, we kept on playing as we knew we can, so point after point we gained confidence and so the other two were easier. But for a first match, it was a tough one."
Belgium opposite spiker