Slovenia flawless against Sweden, Italy overcome Slovakia challenge

Nik Mujanović and Jan Kozamernik led Slovenia to their second victory in Pool A of the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026 Men in Modena. The bronze medallists from the previous edition showed no mercy to Sweden, who are returning to the EuroVolley stage for the first time since 1993, cruising to an impressive straight-set win. Later on Sunday evening, Slovakia challenged world champions Italy by taking a set from the tournament favourites, but the hosts quickly recovered to secure a 3-1 victory. Pardo Mati was the star of the show, delivering a flawless performance with 22 points, including an outstanding 88% success rate in attack.

Slovenia vs Sweden 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-12)

After their narrow five-set defeat to Czechia, Sweden returned to the court fully motivated, with Jacob Ekman and Axel Enlund leading the charge and showing from the very beginning that even a decorated opponent like Slovenia could not afford to underestimate them. Slovenia started without two of their regular starters, Rok Možič and Tine Urnaut, giving Klemen Šen and Rok Bračko their opportunity to step in. Both sides produced a high-level point-by-point battle, backed by passionate support from large groups of fans. Slovenia eventually created the first significant gap at 9-6, and powered by Rok Mujanović, who delivered six kills in this set at 75% success, and Jan Kozamernik, who added five kills at an impressive 83%, they extended their advantage to 13-7. Playing almost flawlessly, Slovenia kept Sweden at a safe distance throughout the remainder of the set, leading 21-15 before Kozamernik delivered the final blow to seal the opener 25-16.

Sweden were not discouraged, applying pressure from the service line and at the net. A powerful spike from Jakob Ekman helped them take an early 8-5 lead, but Slovenia responded through Kozamernik and Bračko, levelling the score at 12-12. The tight battle continued all the way to 20-20, with Axel Enlund and Rok Mujanović leading their respective teams with nine points apiece. Slovenia then found another gear, as a spectacular attack from Bračko, who scored five points in the set, sparked a decisive run that put them 23-20 ahead. Mujanović followed with an ace to seal the set 25-21 and put Slovenia one set away from victory.

The third set was controlled by Slovenia from the very beginning. They raced to an 8-4 lead and, delivering an impressive all-around performance, continued to pull away, extending their advantage to 16-7 before closing out the set and the match in emphatic fashion. Nejc Najdič’s spike sealed the 25-12 win and completed Slovenia’s straight-set victory.

Nik Mujanović finished as the match’s top scorer with 17 points, including 14 kills at 58% efficiency, one block and two aces. Kozamernik added 11 points, with nine kills, while Bračko contributed nine points and recorded 75% positive reception. For Sweden, Enlund tallied 12 points and Ekman added eight.

Italy vs Slovakia 3-1 (25-17, 25-27, 25-10, 25-19)

The hosts enjoyed a perfect start, racing to a 6-2 lead with Pardo Mati at the service line. For the Italian middle blocker, Modena feels like a second home after two seasons with the local club, and he quickly became the main hero of the opening set. Powered by excellent plays from Mati and Yuri Romanò (four points in the set), Italy extended their advantage to 12-6. Slovakia fought back through Jakub Ihnat and Branislav Hanusek, reducing the deficit to 15-11 after an ace from Erik Gulák, with all three contributing three points apiece in the set. From 16-13, however, Italy regained full control. Mati led the charge with seven points, including five kills at an impressive 83% success, helping the hosts restore a five-point advantage at 21-16 before his own spike sealed the set 25-17.

Slovakia were determined to show they had not said the last word, making a strong start to the second set. An attack from Jakub Ihnat put them 9-7 ahead and forced Ferdinando De Giorgi to call a time-out. Italy quickly levelled the score, but Slovakia continued to play with confidence and refused to allow the hosts to build any advantage, despite strong efforts from Pardo Mati (five points in the set) and Mattia Bottolo (six). Slovakia were particularly impressive in attack, finishing the set with 63% success, led by Ihnat, who converted all five of his attacks for a perfect 100%. Italy had an opportunity to close out the set at 24-23, but Martin Rendla denied them with a powerful spike. The Slovakian outside hitter then delivered again in the closing rally, sealing a surprise 27-25 win to level the match.
 
After changing sides, Italy were clearly determined to respond to the setback of losing the second set. The hosts started strongly, applying heavy pressure from the service line, with aces from Lavia, Mati and Giannelli helping the hosts storm to a 14-6 lead. Italy continued to dominate, with Mati and Romanò proving unstoppable in attack and extending the advantage even further. Mati contributed seven points in the set, including three blocks, one of which brought the set to an emphatic close at 25-10.

In set 4, following an attack from Bottolo, Italy began to build their advantage from 10-7. Bottolo was flawless in the set, recording six points, including an ace that extended the hosts’ lead to 14-8. Slovakia, however, refused to give up. Sparked by Martin Rendla and Erik Gulak, they fought their way back to 21-18, but in the decisive stages of the set - and the match - Romanò and Mati stepped up to shift the momentum back in Italy’s favour, with the hosts closing out the set 25-19.

Pardo Mati finished as Italy’s top scorer with 22 points, including an impressive six blocks, one ace and 15 kills at an outstanding 88% success rate. Mattia Bottolo and Yuri Romanò added 16 points apiece, while Erik Gulak and Jakub Ihnát led Slovakia with 12 each.