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

In the first match of Day 5 in Tampere, which is hosting the CEV Enel EuroVolley Men 2026 Pool C matches, Serbia won against the Netherlands 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 30-28, 25-12, 17-15) in a five-set battle. In the second match of the day, Belgium overcame Estonia 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-21, 25-14) to stay close to the top of the pool standing. 

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 among the four teams that will qualify for the next phase of the competition in Torino, started strong with the right mindset to get a six to seven-point cushion and let Estonia just follow the action from 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 Marx 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 Team Estonia sealed a 25-18 win. 

In the third “balance” was the key word: the two teams, in front of about a thousand fans who clapped and shouted for both sides, 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 three points at 21-21 to win another set. In the fourth and last set, Sam Deroo of the Red Dragons decided to kill any possibile chances for an Estonian comeback with a stunning performance consisting of seven points, including one block that at the end of the match made him the best scorer with 22 points. 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 find a way through the Serbian block, while on the other way Serbia found it very complex to spike against the Dutch wall. The Netherlands had full control of each action (8-4, 16-12), starting from serve (two aces vs zero for 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-point 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 edge ahead (20-17), and then take the second set.

In a rollercoaster of emotions the third set was point on point from the start: Korenblek and Mejis 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 to go in favour of the Large Mannen, but the Red-and-Blues 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 clicked 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.