Slovakia complete line-up for #EuroLeagueW semis, seal ticket to EuroVolley 2028

The League Round of the CEV Volleyball European League 2026 finished on Sunday thereby determining the four teams per gender progressing to the semis – and at the same time these teams have also all secured their participation in the CEV EuroVolley 2028. On Sunday, Slovakia joined Slovenia, Sweden, and Hungary in the women’s semis and next CEV EuroVolley following their truly emphatic 3-0 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi. 

Click here to retrieve the final standing. 

On Saturday, Slovenia, Sweden, and Hungary had already sealed their spot among the top four of the competition. Slovakia were very close to achieving that feat as well – but theoretically some other teams could have leapfrogged them through a combination of results. Slovakia did not leave any room for doubt as they routed Georgia in 61 minutes only to finish the competition on six wins in as many matches and 18 points. 

Slovenia topped the charts as they did not drop a single set across their six matches. They did so through a comprehensive 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-10) victory over hosts North Macedonia at SC Boris Trajkovski in Skopje. The Macedonian team offered stronger resistance only in the first set when they had a 12-10 lead, but Slovenia made a turnaround with a series of unanswered points, and then convincingly won the opening set. In the remainder of the match, the difference in quality came to the fore and the Slovenian women routinely finished their work. Unlike Slovenia, which travels to the semi-finals of the European League as the leaders of the competition, North Macedonia ended their campaign with six defeats in as many matches. 

Isabelle Haak’s Sweden finished the League Round in second place following a 3-0 win over Albania – however the set they conceded on Saturday to Austria means they could not overcome Slovenia at the top of the charts. 

Hungary completed the League Round in third place with six wins as well – the latest in their Sunday’s matchup with Kosovo. “Today was a very difficult match. We started well, but then a bit of nervousness and stress crept into our game, and we were not able to play as freely as we wanted,” said their head coach Alessandro Chiappini. “Kosovo served very strongly and fought hard in defence, which made things difficult for us. It was a tough match, but I am happy that in the end – even if we did not play perfectly – we achieved the most important goal and won 3-0. We have had a wonderful journey in the European League: six wins and only one set lost so far. This is an extremely valuable achievement, especially considering that we faced strong opponents in every tournament. The team, the players, and the staff have all done a great job. We are very happy to have reached the semi-finals and to have qualified for the 2028 European Championship. This is another important step for us, and we will keep moving forward on this path.” 

In the semis, played as home and away matches and reflecting the final standing of the League Round, Hungary will first host Sweden and subsequently play the Swedes on their home soil whereas Slovakia will take on Slovenia at home before travelling to the home venue of the undisputed competition leaders. 

Another historic night for Lithuania 

Elsewhere, in an emotionally charged and historic night for Lithuanian Volleyball, the women’s national team secured a monumental 3-2 victory against Romania at the Šiauliai Sports Arena, thus marking a definitive turning point in their return to Europe’s Volleyball elite. With this result, Lithuania concluded their CEV European League campaign in 17th place with six points. Meanwhile, the Romanian squad, currently preparing for the European Championship, finished the competition in ninth place with four wins and 12 points. Romania entered Sunday’s match as the undisputed favourites, but the Lithuanians, fuelled by a passionate home crowd, delivered a spectacular upset. The victory is an extraordinary statement of intent from the hosts, considering the calibre of their opponents. Just one day prior, a dominant Romanian squad had dismantled Portugal in a swift 3-0 shutout, establishing themselves as the heavy favourites in the group. However, Lithuania refused to be intimidated.

The opening set was a fierce, point-for-point battle with constant lead changes. In the closing moments, a burst of energy saw Lithuania score consecutive points to clinch the first set (25-22). Carrying that momentum into the second set (25-17), the hosts put on a defensive masterclass, allowing their attackers to play with complete freedom. Defying all pre-match predictions, Lithuania dominated the second set, leaving Romania with no answers and taking a commanding 2-0 lead. However, Romania found their rhythm in the third set, capitalising on an increase in Lithuania’s unforced errors. Despite several comeback attempts by the hosts, Romania confidently closed out the set to get back into the match (25-19). The visitors maintained their grip on the game in the fourth set (25-15), prompting the Lithuanian head coach to experiment with the lineup and rest key players in preparation for the decider. The tactical move paid off. In the fifth and final set, Lithuania returned with their strongest lineup and seized control from the start. Spectacular blocks by Barbora Rakauskaitė, combined with the veteran experience of Rūta Staniulytė and Monika Šalkutė, alongside a selfless team performance, guided Lithuania to a thrilling victory (15-10).

Under the guidance of head coach Mateusz Zarczynski, Martyna Paukštytė led the Lithuanian scoresheet with 15 points. Barbora Rakauskaitė (who recorded an impressive five blocks) and Monika Šalkutė both contributed 12 and 13 points. For Romania, Diana Ariton and Georgiana Popa scored a team-high 16 points. 

Team captain Monika Šalkutė was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the Lithuanian team. She accepted the award with tears in her eyes, as this match marked the official end of her professional career. The crowd at the Šiauliai Arena gave her a standing ovation, chanting her name in recognition of her dedication.

“I am truly overjoyed,” Šalkutė said after the match. “My club season did not end the way I wanted, so I deeply wished for a successful finish with the national team. These were the final points of my career, and I cannot imagine a better place to say goodbye than right here.”

She admitted that deciding to retire from the sport she has dedicated 23 years of her life to was incredibly difficult. However, she noted that she finds peace and comfort in seeing a strong, talented new generation rising in Lithuania. With this vital victory in the bag, the Lithuanian women’s national team continues its ambitious campaign toward the 2028 European Championship with renewed confidence and momentum.