Serbia clinch five-set thriller over the Netherlands, Belgium found a crucial win against Estonia

In the first match of day 5 in Tampere, Pool C of CEV Enel EuroVolley Men 2026, Serbia won against the Netherlands 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 30-28, 25-12, 17-15) in a five-set battle on the court. In the second Belgium overcame Estonia 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-21, 25-14) to stay closer to the first positions of the Pool.

Estonia vs Belgium 1-3 (17-25, 25-18, 21-25, 14-25)

Deroo, Reggers, Colson. These were the three most shouted surnames during the first set between Estonia and Belgium, since they were the most requested hitters of Belgium. The Red Dragons, who desperately needed a win to remain in the “winning group” of four teams that at the moment will qualify for Turin, started strong with the right mindset to get a 6/7 points cushion to let Estonia just follow the actions from the distance.

The wind changed in the second set, when Estonia found the energy to keep the set going where they wanted, thanks to Andres Jefanov and Markx Aru who led the group to 14-11 and 21-17. Belgium tried to come back at the end but it was too late and the Balts were already gone 24-18. 

In the third “balance” was the key word: the two teams, in front of the about a thousand fans who clapped and shouted for both the teams as they were in a full Arena, couldn’t take the lead of the set (13-13, 18-18) and in a sparkling final it was the Red Dragons, again with Deroo and Reggers, who took the crucial gap of 3 points at 21-21 to win another point. In the last fourth set Sam Deroo of the Red Dragons decided to kill any possibile chances of the Estonians with a stunning performance consisting of 6 points, with 2 aces and 1 block that at the end of the match stated 22 as the best scorer of the match. After the final whistle, Pool C produced its finest image so far, with both sets of fans cheering each other on, simply to celebrate their love for the game and the match they saw.

Serbia vs The Netherlands 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 30-28, 25-15, 17-15)

In the first set the Lange Mannen didn’t have problems to bridge the Serbian blocks, while on the other way Serbia found it very complex to spike against the Dutch’s, collecting 1 point vs 3 of their opponents. The Netherlands had full control of each action (8-4, 16-12), starting from serve (2 aces total, 0 from Serbia) and the play had no surprises at all until the last spike. The second set it was Serbia to take the lead for the first half (7-5, 10-8) but a two-points gap was not enough and the Lange Mannen tied at 16-16 thanks to Tom Koops and Yannik Bak who had the team in their hands to overcome at 20-17 the Serbian, and then take the second set also.

In a rollercoaster of emotions the third set was point on point from the start: Korenblek and Majis for the Netherlands against the unbreakable Luburic of Serbia, who alone scored an impressive 14 points for his squad. At 23-23 the flow seemed for the Large Mannen, but the red-and-blue didn’t want to say goodbye to the set (and match) and they eventually tied at 24-24. And then again it was point for point, with the final one for Serbia (at 30-28) after a challenge that left the Netherlands with regrets about the last rallies. 

In the fourth set something click on Serbia's mind and attitude on the court: their spikes and blocks were more consistent, they showed one more time it's not the moment yet to go home, and with a 10 point gap at 23-13 they cruised without fear to the tie-break. The fifth set, as the perfect way to end such a tie and exciting match, was also close point on point: Luburic conducted his team as a real leader until 14-14 and then he was the man who closed the very last point with another incredible spike to give the well deserved win to his team.